A happy relationship, be it marriage, friendship, domestic partnership, requires the same amount of love, trust, and patience. If Spider-Man has a quote to live by (with great power comes great responsibility) so does every relationship: a great relationship comes with great maintenance.
Love is always compared to flowers because, like flowers, love blossoms if well maintained. Love falters when neglected. Pretty self-explanatory, right? (Photo by fineartamerica.com)
However, maintaining your relationship is not a walk in the park nor would blossom in a blink of an eye. It needs cultivation, a lot of patience and trust. In the beginning (of relationship) there’s flowers, candies, and gifts. As the relationship grows, these things may not appear as important as before. And if you become comfortable, you become complacent.
So, how are you going to maintain a healthy relationship? Interestingly, number 8 is a sign of infinity, so, here are the 8 simple ways to make yours a magical one! #mayforever din kung gugustuhin.
8 Effortless Ways to Have a Happier Relationship
8. Respect each other’s privacy
Just because you live together or are already married, doesn’t give you the right to check each other’s phones, mails, e-mails, etc. The more you need to keep each other’s private matters, private. According to the Psychologist mentioned in the article by SMH.com.au, “Having enough space or privacy in a relationship is more important for a couple’s happiness than having a good sex life.”
Unless your partner gives permission, resist the temptation. It’s hard, I know. But, it is better to be trusted than to be loved.
On a lighter note, the only privacy we get is when we are inside the bathroom! LOL.
7. Know what your partner’s love language is
There are five love languages according to the author of the book: “5 Love Languages for Couples” They are:
- Words of Affirmation
- Acts of Service
- Quality Time
- Receiving Gifts
- Physical Touch
You know the first year is always flowers and candies, right? So, on our second year, I literally thought arguing was a thing to do! But, we both didn’t want to give up. So, we decided to fix our relationship by gathering advice from our close friends and researching for books that we could read together. Lo and behold, we found the book “5 Love Languages for Couples.” We read it together and found ways on how to approach each other. Thankfully, we are on our 7th year. (Yeah, the 7-year itch LOL!)
Here’s a guide on how you can relate to your partner/spouse’s love language:
Courtesy: xonecole.com
6. Set a day without Television
According to the book, If I Really Wanted To Have A Great Marriage, television is a poor substitute for life. In fact, one of my favorite authors (he was mentioned in the book, as well), Orlando Aloysius Battista, said: “The easiest way to find more time to do all the things you want to do is to turn off the television.”
Honestly, I was like, “WTH? I enjoy watching C.I. with him, though?” Throughout the years, I reckon, he watches it just because. Although it’s a sweet gesture, it prevents us from doing things we both love like, taking photos, walking with the kids, eating, or simply cuddling.
So, for you and your partner, you might want to take a day off from the television.
Perhaps, you can play board games at DyceNDyne together? Or play bubbles with your kids at Blue Bay Walk!
5. Exercise Together – Postpone ‘Til Death Do You Part”
A very popular saying but hardly practiced. #WeAreGuilty. But, when I say exercise, it doesn’t mean you need to enroll in a gym and eventually take a toll on you guys. No, nothing like that. You can actually aim the extend the longevity of your life and relationship through…
Making love, cuddling, or laughing together! Laughter is the best medicine, anyway! 🙂
Courtesy: brendaknowles.com
4. Cook For Your Spouse/Partner
Just like the old saying goes, “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” 🙂
This is Test Kitchen Caffe’s Liempo-Chon. It is their version of the famous Cebu Lechon. It’s crispy yet soft on the inside. I also love the lemongrass filling as it complements the flavor. I have yet to review this wonderful place, so watch out for the article soon!
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” – Virginia Woolf
It has been proven that every time, I cook for him, our arguments go out the window! 🙂 How about you?
3. Communicate, communicate, communicate!
Nothing compares to a relationship with open communication. Honestly, I’m still work in progress. Aren’t we all? LOL…
I don’t communicate at times and most often than not, I ASSUME he already knew. And, that’s the reason why we argue. The moral is, never assume. Always keep your partner in the loop – even though, you already sound like a recording.
Let me share one of my favorite quotes about communication:
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there’s any reaction, both are transformed.” – Carl Jung
2. Be Honest with your Finances
Money is the root of evil. So, if you are not honest with each other’s finances, your relationship will be devastated.
Need I say more?
1. Seize the day – Just say, YES!!
Let your man have the last say, “Yes, dear.”
Catch my drift?
Over To You
Truthfully, 8 is nothing compared to a gazillion other ways to have a happier relationship. The longevity of your relationship depends on how well you treat each other and how you can maintain it. Pray and travel together!
Start with these eight ways and let me know if it worked!
Ultimately, love is the most wonderful thing that has happened to us. Don’t be afraid to love all over again. Life is short. Love and be in love because time is all we have.
Please let me know if I’ve missed anything. Share them in the comment section below.
Great one! Xxx
Agree
Great read! 🙂