Long-term relationships can be a source of great strength and joy for those in them. However, a successful long-term relationship requires many things to ensure it stays the course. Read on to find out what those things are, and how you can ensure your relationship stands the test of time.
Forgiveness
Anyone perfect can skip this part! Of course, as none of us are forgiving of our parents and ourselves, it is one of the most vital things we can do for the health of our relationship. But what does being forgiving mean?
Well, it means no keeping score or holding onto old hurts. It also means taking responsibility for your feelings and processing them, so resentments don’t get in the way of your future.
Forgiveness also means that if there is a problem you can talk about it together in a mature, adult way and come to a solution together. Indeed, a passive-aggressive approach will wear down goodwill in a relationship faster than anything else.
It’s also important to note that at some point you will mess up and make a mistake too, and that is where self-forgiveness comes in. This is especially important because if your other half forgives you, but you are still punishing yourself you can end up making them suffer even more, which can also place a strain on your relationship.
Quality time together
Connection is one of the most crucial things that keep relationships alive over the long term. Of course, many things foster connection, but one of the most important is spending quality time together.
With that in mind, setting aside some time each week to have a date night, and forget the worries of normal life while doing something fun can be so helpful to keep your relationship healthy in the long term.
Establish trust
Relationships can’t survive over the long term without trust. However, it is important to note that trust is something that is earned over time, by being consistent, honest, and open. Unfortunately, by doing the opposite of these things you can erode trust in a relationship, something that can lead to a situation where there is none left at all and the partnership cannot continue.
Of course, if you find yourself at this step, you may decide that you wish to separate or divorce. Although before you act on this it is best to get some advice from a professional divorce lawyer on your situation. After all, it is better to go in with as much information about the situation as possible.
Keep complimenting your partner
Even for couples that shower each other with compliments in the honeymoon stage, keeping this up over the long term can be a challenge. However, complimenting and thanking your other half is such an important way of showing that you value and appreciate them.
Indeed, it’s always a good idea to have a conversation about the type of compliments that your partner will most appreciate. This is because some prefer compliments on how they look, while others like to be complimented on a task well done.
