Any love story is difficult. It can be hugely fun and rewarding, but it also requires commitment from members of the couple to maintain a strong bond. The more dedication you put into a relationship, the deeper the feeling that will unite you with the other person and the closer your relationship will be. It is possible to begin building and maintaining a solid relationship by paying attention to some fundamental aspects, such as communication, understanding, intimacy and trust.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Nurturing Mutual Trust
Step 1. Pay attention to your partner's needs
We don't always wonder how the other person feels because we are often so focused on ourselves that we neglect those around us. When you notice different behavior in your partner, ask yourself if he is happy or tired. A relationship offers numerous opportunities to learn and encourage each other, and this ability improves as time goes by and the couple's intimacy increases.
Step 2. Speak openly showing even the most vulnerable sides
In a relationship, it is essential to open up with sincerity. Emotional barriers only weaken the relationship and exclude the partner from the most important aspects of their life. Hence, you need to emotionally expose yourself to the person you love. Be honest, communicate your every feeling, hope and concern to her, and expect the same of her. You can begin to establish a more open dialogue by saying:
- "I've been having a hard time at work lately. Can I tell you about it?"
- "I'm worried about the turn our relationship is taking. Can we talk about it?"
- "I don't feel happy right now. I have a hard time making it to the end of the day and that worries me. Do you mind if we talk about it?".
Step 3. Appreciate your partner's strengths and everything that makes them unique and special
Instead of idealizing or evaluating him by unrealistic standards, be happy with his presence and respect him for what he is. Each person has their own strengths and weaknesses, so you need to understand and accept every facet of their personality.
Step 4. Forgive him when he makes you angry
Treat him with the same patience and respect you would like to receive and forgive him when he hurts you. By holding a grudge and remembering each of his offenses, you will only feed suspicion and distrust in your relationship.
Step 5. Look for physical contact
While sexuality is important in any healthy relationship (as well as being enjoyable and fun for both partners), physical contact is more than just sexual intercourse. Even a little tenderness can show affection and dedication and keep the relationship alive and exciting. Try some simple ideas:
- Hold your partner by the hand.
- Put your arm around his shoulders or around his waist when you walk together.
- Rest your head on his shoulder while watching a movie.
- Make eye contact when you talk to him.
Step 6. Consider the whole thing
Don't waste your energy on unimportant things. It's easy to allow everyday worries (which are part of every relationship) to ruin the more enjoyable and fun sides of a couple's life. They can also ruin your bond. Keep your relationship alive by focusing on the goals you have set for yourself and the more solid aspects of your relationship, such as:
- The characteristics of your partner that attracted you from the start.
- The funniest activities you have done together.
- Long-term goals and plans for your future.
- The behaviors that have fostered your union and the ways that allow you to continue growing together.
Part 2 of 2: Maintain a Strong Bond
Step 1. Have realistic expectations about your life as a couple
Don't idealize your relationship by using the stories told in romantic movies, novels, or love songs as your touchstone. Don't expect to have a perfect, flawless partner. Be tolerant and forgive him when he makes a mistake or annoys you and demand the same treatment from him.
Step 2. Take the time to figure out who you have by your side
One of the most important aspects of any relationship is to truly understand the person around us. Relationships often begin superficially. They can be born out of a shared interest, a chance meeting in a bar or a mutual friendship. To maintain and strengthen the bond, you need to understand who you are next to on a deeper and more personal level. Do not stop satisfying your curiosity and knowing his deepest beliefs, his desires and his expectations for the future. In this way you will grow together forming a stable couple. For example, try:]
- Ask him about his childhood: "What are your favorite memories from when you were a child?".
- Express what you think about your family and understand what kind of relationship they have with theirs. Try asking, "What are the things in your family that make you happiest and what saddens you?"
- Ask him a few questions about his political and religious beliefs - and be ready to share yours.
Step 3. Be patient with each other
Every relationship is studded with misunderstandings, disagreements and friction. In these situations - which will be inevitable - try to be patient with your partner. Allow him to make mistakes and learn from his mistakes.
- Instead of responding aggressively, try saying, "What you told me yesterday hurt me, but I'd like to hear your story before I jump to conclusions."
- Alternatively, you could say, "Sometimes you don't realize how much you can hurt me. Let me tell you what I'm feeling."
Step 4. Talk about the problems that affect both of you
Often, in order to maintain a strong and deep bond with your partner, you need to know how to communicate. Ask him what his needs are and make sure he knows yours too. For example you could:
- Ask him how his day went: "Did you do something interesting at work?" or "Do you want to talk about what happened to you today?".
- Tell an anecdote or an episode that happened to you.
- Flirting - even after years of relationship!
- Find out something new about your partner.
- Make him laugh. Every now and then it plays down. Try telling a joke or acting silly and funny when you are together.
Step 5. Support each other
To encourage unity and mutual aid, stop and reflect on your partner's plans, ambitions and goals and find a way to encourage him. By doing this you will be able to better understand who is next to you and feed their emotions. This is usually the first person you turn to for emotional support. Allow him to rely on you when he needs comfort and encouragement, and seek him out when you need it.
Step 6. Treat him with kindness
You don't have to try your hand at sensational feats of love, squander money or go in search of particular objects to give him. Rather, think of some small but intimate and meaningful gesture that shows attention and daily dedication to the person you love. For example, you could:
- Give flowers or chocolates.
- Write love cards or romantic emails and text messages.
- Doing a household chore for him.
- Prepare breakfast and bring it to bed.
Step 7. Question your partner instead of guessing
If he has a behavior or speech that annoys or confuses you, don't jump to conclusions about his intentions. Rather, ask for clarification - directly but politely - about what has troubled you. In this way you will learn to understand him better from an emotional point of view and will nourish the intimacy and trust of the couple.
Advice
- Each must try to discover the positive sides of the other.
- Don't act impulsively.
- Trust each other.
- Try to comfort each other with a kiss, a hug or a simple "thank you".
- Make time for your relationship.
