If your relationship has become a bit sour, what can you do to bring it back on track? Over time, relationships can break down simply because the old saying of ‘familiarity breeds contempt’ is true. You can find lots of relationship advice on what couples should do to keep the spark in their relationship, but here are a few pointers on what you should stop doing to bring back the happiness into your love life:
1. Don’t get even
If someone has hurt you, hurting them back won’t make things get any better. We all remember the schoolyard tiffs of our childhood and the cry of ‘She started it!’ Drawing a line under an unfortunate episode in a relationship is the first step to moving on. Taking revenge and getting even will only prolong the argument, so learn to forgive, forget and move on.
2. Accept that you aren’t always right
No one can be right all the time and having the grace to back down when you are wrong, even when you think you are right, can nip an argument in the bud. If neither party is willing to give in, even a little, then the dispute will never be closed and will fester. Even just politely agreeing to disagree can bring an end to a bitter dispute.
3. Don’t hide problems from each other
One of the best relationship advice is – be open with each other and maintain great and honest communication. It’s always a temptation to hide your own problems from your partner; you don’t want them to worry, you don’t want to burden them with it but, when it comes down to it, you should be there for each other and, as they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. If you keep it to yourself you won’t be able to completely hide your worry and your partner may begin to think that it is they who have done something to upset you.
4. Stop being complacent
Complacency is the worst enemy of a happy relationship. So, you’ve been together for a while; you’re comfortable together, you get on well, you don’t argue much, so everything’s fine, isn’t it? Don’t take things for granted, everyone needs to be told that they are loved and sometimes the little things like making some effort on your partner’s birthday, rather than just grabbing a gift on the way home from work, can make all the difference.
5. Don’t be too busy to be together
One partner goes to work early in the morning, another partner gets back late at night. At weekends, one of does the shopping, the other has to do some work at home. Before you know it, you can become so busy that you’re lucky if you pass your partner at the front door on your way out. In this busy world that we live in, we have to make time for each other. Reserve some time just for the two of you: it can be a date night every week, road trips from time to time or just make sure that you do interesting, fun and exciting things together. Follow this relationship advice to make your relationship stronger and happier.
6. Stop trying to change each other
Accepting one another for who you both really are is all a part of learning to live with each other. We all have flaws, so accept your own and embrace your partner’s; it’s what makes you both who you are. Treasure your differences!
7. Don’t be afraid to compromise
Two individuals living together will never agree on everything. If they do, there’s probably something wrong! You both need to be willing to compromise or, if not, you’ll soon be going separate ways. So, learning to compromise is vital for maintaining a healthy and happy relationship.
As years go by, your relationship will go from strength to strength, if you follow the right relationship advice and remember to never take your partner for granted.
When in doubt on how to treat your partner, ask yourself this question: ‘Would I have done that when we first met?’, the answer to this question will tell you if you should be doing it now.
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