Hannah Grace
What are the elements that make a relationship flourish beyond initial attraction and connection? Acceptance, communication, honesty, compromise, and commitment between two people are vital. However, all of this can only be possible if both parties share one thing in common: a healthy mind.
Loving another person requires effort and patience. If you have a hard time focusing on your partner because you’re preoccupied with other matters, you need to self-check. Does that friend’s birthday party next weekend weigh more than discussing your mutual concerns? To strengthen your relationship, you must manage your thought life. Here’s how:
Avoid Overthinking
Put yourself in your significant other’s shoes before you criticize them. Small issues grow because of selfish reasoning and distrust. We think we already understand the situation though we’ve yet to know their side of the story. You can prevent a lot of arguments by stopping yourself from creating scenarios in your head. Yes, trust takes time and may not come easy to some, but it’s definitely worth the labor.
Be Open
Don’t be afraid to express yourself. Your partner needs to know the real you. Pretending and hiding your feelings will only damage your relationship. Through honest communication, you can handle a problem better together. You can disagree on a certain matter while still respecting the other’s opinion. Set your mind free from fear and pride. “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” Sincerity is always important.
Celebrate Your Differences
Imagine if your partner was a complete copy of you…weird right? Like the beauty of rainbow colors, a couple’s differences needs to be cherished. They show new perspectives and make new experiences possible. Instead of trying to change your partner to fit your standards, appreciate the color they bring into your relationship.
Love Your Partner as They Are
Prince Charming and Cinderella don’t exist in this world. When the spell of infatuation wears off, you find out how imperfect your special someone is. You discover that you fell for a human being like yourself, not a superhero who never fails you. Real love is deciding to stay with them anyway. Eventually, you see the charm in their rough edges. You become fond of their annoying mannerisms. Their bitter coffee is now your favorite. Relationships thrive when two people commit to love each other, flaws and all, no matter what happens.
Appreciate What You Have
Fight the temptation to compare. Nothing is exactly as they seem, especially on social media. Untold stories lie behind every sweet picture. As you may already know, being in a relationship is not all sunshine and butterflies. Nevertheless, you must look at the good parts and keep from magnifying the bad ones. Gratitude transcends bitterness. Be thankful that you can share life with someone who knows you well. Celebrate little breakthroughs. Recognize your partner’s efforts and always reciprocate their feelings.
All relationships have their own highs and lows. With a healthy mind, any couple can survive many storms together and enjoy the sweet fruit of perseverance. Aim to always prioritize your mental health and you’ll see your relationship last a lifetime.
Can you relate? Share your thoughts below. We’d love to hear them!
