A lot of times, we look at our favourite celebrity couples glittering on the red carpet and we get so enthralled with their picture-perfect lives. The way they smile, the happiness on their faces, the small gestures of love. So much that we consider them #couplegoals or #relationshipgoals. And they may very well be, but these #relationshipgoals type couples don’t just happen. Sometimes we get scared when we hear people say ‘Marriage(or a relationship) is hard work.’ While that may feel like a bit of a stretch, I do know that as with anything in life that is worth it, you have to make an effort to have fulfilling relationships.
That being said, there are no set rules and regulations for this as every couple is unique, so ideally the best thing to do is to figure out what works for you. But there are just some basic things that come with a healthy and thriving relationship or marriage.
Vulnerability
If you’re reserved like me you may struggle with being vulnerable. Being open to another person seeing the depths of your soul…and flaws. It can be hard but this will draw you both closer and build a foundation for both of you to better understand each other. A relationship that allows for brutal honesty about feelings and everything, in general, will build trust. If either of you is hiding things or being sneaky, it will definitely cause issues in your relationship in the long run.
Understanding and Authenticity
Fake it till you make it doesn’t apply to your relationship. You should be your true self and vice versa. You cannot understand someone if you don’t truly know them. This is where transparency and authenticity come in. Your partner may do something they think is normal, but it may appear absurd to you. If you don’t know them well enough, you’ll never understand why they act in certain ways. Striving to learn your partner and understand them will certainly help you thrive in your relationships.
Trust and Loyalty
Honesty builds trust and loyalty. It’s near impossible to be loyal to someone you don’t trust. And relationships demand loyalty. You should always be in your partner’s corner, rooting for them, cheering them on. Sometimes you may not even understand the decisions they make but because you trust them, you remain loyal to them anyway.
Forgiveness and Compromise
If you take to heart and hold on to every single wrong thing your partner does to you, you will struggle in your relationship and it most likely won’t last. Your forgiveness and compromise game has to be strong in relationships lol. Extend the same grace, you would like them to extend to you. First of all, if you know your partner’s heart and believe the best of them, you will understand that most times the hurt isn’t intended, it’s more a human flaw like you have as well. And many times after a disagreement or argument, your relationship comes out stronger because you’ve learned something new about the other person. Learn to deal and work through issues and move past them. Holding onto things and piling them up in your heart or always demanding to have your way will never end well.