There is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ partner or the ‘perfect’ relationship.
All couples encounter obstacles, difficulties, and challenges in their relationships. As opposed to what many may initially believe, relationships are not easy. It is true that a relationship must be full of love, laughter, intimacy, and acceptance. However, it also consists of arguments, difficult conversations, sacrifices, and compromises. Finding ‘the one’ does not mean finding someone who never makes mistakes. Moreover, it does not mean finding someone who shares all of your opinions and agrees with your beliefs. You and ‘the one’ might have completely contrasting views and different tastes. However, these things have nothing to do with the relationship’s success. At the end of the day, what matters most is whether or not they will be by your side when things (inevitably) get hard.
A relationship requires hard work, time, and effort.
Love – just like everything else in life – is not easy. When you truly and really love somebody, you are ready to stand by their side and have their back whatever happens. This means lending a hand when they need help and offering them a shoulder to cry on. More importantly, this means being prepared to work through issues when you and your partner argue, disagree, and make mistakes. Real love means kindness, forgiveness, sacrifices, and compromises. Unfortunately, very few people are ready to give everything they have to make a relationship work. Instead, they walk (or even run) away the second that challenges present themselves. For some, a simple disagreement can be the end of a relationship.
To make a relationship work, you need to communicate.
How do you and your partner approach and handle conflict? When two people want to make a relationship last and succeed, they do everything they can to resolve issues. In other words, they openly voice their concerns, listen to their partner’s thoughts, and try to reach a compromise. This way of handling conflict is healthy as it resolves the problem and ensures that the same thing will not happen again in the future. In contrast with this, the partners in unhealthy relationships argue and try to win rather than resolve an argument. More often than not, this means that the two people talk over one another and try to prove each other wrong. Unsurprisingly, this does not resolve a conflict and it definitely does not ensure that the argument does not repeat itself. Sooner or later, the issue presents itself again and the couple sees the opportunity for a rematch. Eventually, one or both partners will become exhausted and the relationship will quickly dissolve.
Real love means standing by your partner and fighting together instead of against each other.
