The Keys to a Successful Relationship

Philip Roth said that love was the most maddening aspect of life, and if you’ve ever been in love yourself, then you’ll find it hard to disagree with that statement. While there can be plenty of moments of joy, to be in love also means committing to spending some time in the trenches. There’s just too much emotional and mental agony to endure! The good news is that, since virtually everyone has had a relationship at one stage or another, we can understand a little more about the steps that can help push a union in the right direction. We take a look at a few of these tips below.

Be Open

First thing’s first: if you want to be in a healthy relationship, then you have to be open to the idea. Many people begin a relationship wanting a bit of everything: they want to keep the freedom of single life, as well as gain all the benefits of being in a relationship. That’s not going to work. If you don’t think you’re in a position where you can open up and make yourself vulnerable, then take a look inside, and work on any issues that you may have.

Learn How To Communicate

Perhaps the single most common reason some couples don’t go the distance is that they can’t communicate with one another. We all have those friends who will moan and moan about something annoying that their partner does, but then when you ask them if they’ve ever expressed those sentiments to their partner, they say no! People are not mind readers, and it’s just not fair to resent them for not picking up that you’re annoyed by something. Just talk to them — it’s not always easy but is, for sure, the best tactic for long-term happiness.

Dig Deeper

Who knows what mysterious forces guide our hearts? It’s typically more complicated than most people realize. Are you right for the person you’re with? It’s worthwhile digging a little deeper and getting answers to the questions that you have, especially around Valentines day. You can do this by looking within and asking your heart what you really want, and also talking with experts in love. Love is complicated, but there are answers out there — you just have to know where to look.

Learning Lessons

Sure, it’s annoying to have fights and get hurt, but at least you can say that they’re learning experiences. The trick is to learn the lesson. If you ever have painful experiences with your loved one, conduct a post-fight analysis and see what caused it how it could have been handled better. It’ll help immeasurably in the future.

Surprises & Laughter

Another key to a successful relationship is being able to have fun and laugh together. Keep it interesting by surprising your partner with a date night or a unique and special gift such as a personalized custom bobblehead. It’s sure to be a gift they aren’t expecting and will put a smile on their face. It’s all about you each making an effort to show the other person that you love and care about them. You’ll soon notice that you two begin to connect on a deeper level and that you enjoy being around one another when you continue to surprise and delight the other person.

Improve Yourself

Finally, look at improving yourself, in all aspects. It’s easy to point fingers at our partners, but often we’re equally to blame. If you want your relationship to be better, then make yourself better. If you don’t want your relationship to be better, then it’s best to cut your losses and move on from each other.