Relationships require quite a lot to sustain them so it’s often advised that people should possess certain traits and life skills to excel.
Here are at least nine (9) recommendations that will make it relatively easier for you to be successful in any amorous relationship you go into;
#1. Love your alone time.
So often especially at the beginning of relationships, couples start to do everything together including hanging out with their significant other which is indeed absolutely amazing and a super great feeling, however maintaining your independence while you’re in a relationship can also be very important to your happiness.
A lot of people come to this realization sometimes much later on, but then it’s already too late. That being said, enjoying your alone time is key so whether you’re single or happily coupled, do all of the things that you love, whether it is walking your dog, getting work done in a cafe, watching that movie that you secretly love, it’s important to be totally comfortable by yourself. Some of you don’t like to be alone, learn how to do it.
#2. Keeping jealousy at arm’s length.
Now, if you have been in an unhealthy relationship where cheating was involved, it can be challenging not to jump to conclusions at the slightest.
However, it is important to note that Jealousy, of course, isn’t just confined to love or amorous relationships, it could be directed to a coworker that, perhaps, got a promotion before you or maybe a sibling that gets all the praise all the time, or even that friend that looks flawless 100% of the time.
In more extreme cases, jealousy can lead to possessiveness in relationships and sadly transform into an ugly monster in form of unhealthy behaviors.
The truth is, there’s no need to compare yourself to other people. It is important you keep on doing you and hold your head high. Remember to practice self-love and positive affirmations because you’re awesome and you deserve all the things that come your way.
If your partner’s behavior makes you feel insecure, then it may be time to start a conversation about the things that make you uncomfortable.
#3. Manage your finances.
This is something you need to learn.
The ability to not be impulsive with money is always a great skill to have, but as we all know, the first stages of a relationship can be filled with a lot of impulsivity. Of course, you want to impress your new Bae. You know impulsive dates are the best kind of dates. As enjoyable and memorable as these dates may be they often too quickly become equivalent to just another monthly bill. Now, having an idea of your spending limits is extremely helpful when planning dates. Some of the best dates cost no money, and a thoughtful gift doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Therefore, find some low-key date ideas that won’t hurt your wallet.
#4. Manage stress.
Finding healthy ways to cope with stress is important in all aspects of life, not just relationship building.
Stress management may include a simple walk around the park or whatever helps you unwind. Too often we take out our stresses on the people close to us, but it doesn’t have to necessarily be that way. Finding healthy ways to cope with stress outside your relationship only makes the unwinding at the end of the day with your significant other, even much better.
The truth is bringing stress into any relationship creates more stress as it’s almost like a cycle. Having solid stress management skills will help prevent you from snapping at people you claim to love.
#5. Master Time Management
Without a doubt, it’s so easy to procrastinate.
Many push responsibilities to the side when they’re in a relationship because they become so focused on spending quality time with the person they care about.
Now, having good time management skills before entering a relationship is key. Getting swept away in the moment is nice, but making sure you reach deadlines and don’t lose track of reality is better.
That being said, it’s completely possible to be swept away while keeping your feet on the ground. Be sure to communicate what things you need to get done and a supportive partner will absolutely help you maintain that balance.
#6. Pursue and prioritize your passions
It’s incredibly helpful to already be on a path of pursuing your passions when you enter a relationship, whether you’re working towards your goals or discovering what they are, or just pursuing them on the side of personal gratification. As the case may be, whatever makes you tick should not be pushed aside when you enter a relationship or at any point during the course of it.
It’s common that when the “we” mentality starts to take over, it’s easy to put your passions, your desires, and your dreams on hold, after all, you’re in love.
However, it is advisable you don’t, instead find a healthy balance.
Ensure that whatever you were passionate about before you enter the relationship is still there. Having a partner just adds an amazing person to your corner to cheer you on and if they don’t support your dreams and passions, then maybe they’re not worth you or your time.
#7. Become self-aware.
Be curious about how your actions affect others, what are some of the things that you need to work on?
Try to do this without being too critical outside of a relationship. What kind of person are you? What kind of partner are you when you’re in a relationship? These questions are important to ask before you enter something serious.
Knowing yourself inside out will help build a better foundation with your partner.
Life is far too short to pretend to be someone you’re not, and you’ll only regret the time wasted trying to pretend you were someone else.
Being yourself from the get-go in a relationship will help you avoid wasting your time with, well, the wrong person. If they aren’t totally into who you are at the core, then there’s no point in continuing what you started and no point in being with them so, at that point, you might want to find your own path.
#8. Check your baggage.
What are you holding on to? How does it affect your ability to love and be loved? The common saying “check your baggage at the door is often easier said than done. Your past traumas, experiences, and relationships will absolutely affect your current one.
Remember, healing isn’t linear, and even if you know how these experiences affect you, sometimes it’s still difficult to leave them out of your current equation. So perhaps you’re still in your healing process or just became aware of the baggage you carry, fostering a healthy relationship requires you to deal with your baggage as only then can things get a bit better.
#9. Improve your communication skills.
Being able to communicate your wants and needs and what can be improved are the building blocks of a healthy, lasting relationship. Lack of communication creates rifts of misunderstanding and sometimes puts your wants and needs at the back.
Finally, being able to articulate clearly what exactly you mean is an admirable trait and will create a strong foundation for any relationship, not just romantic. This is unarguably important because before having a difficult or uncomfortable conversation, it is advised that you write down the points you want to make and what you want to say, this would help organize your thoughts and makes sure that you’re able to communicate all that you need to.