Many, if not most, of the couples I saw during my twenties were in such miserable relationships that I was grateful to be alone and to have the energy, drive, and desire to grow personally, professionally and spiritually. So what is a loving relationship that has the power to last forever? I strongly believe that we have to take care of ourselves first in order to let somebody into our lives who will look in the same direction. And then together we can co-create a beautiful life day-by-day. I now know for sure that there are secrets to why two people in a relationship stay in love, while so many others end up broken up, or worse yet, divorced. RELATED: 6 Sweet Signs You’re Already In The Right Relationship
The eight common things couples who stay madly in love — forever — do differently.
They:
1. Respect each other
We all are different people with different minds, hobbies, thoughts, views, tastes. We are so multifaceted and we change moment by moment. Respecting each other as human beings, as professionals and partners is crucial for a good working relationship. Respecting every step and being there witnessing each other’s life-journey without any judgment.
2. Trust in each other
We all make tons of mistakes, we have horrible days, we get sick, we fail, we fight, we say awful things to each other, we hold grudges, we can’t get past traumas, sometimes we don’t feel sexy or smart, we feel like losers. During those times we all need somebody to remind us of our greatness and just to be there for us. We need our lover, our partner to trust in us. Somebody who sincerely loves us and sees our inner and outer beauty no matter what. In a healthy relationship, two people will want that the other person is feeling good about her/himself. And to know that our partner always trusts in our development and choices will make the relationships strong and comfortable. RELATED: If Your Guy Has These 21 Habits, Marry Him Right Now
3. Give personal space
In a strong relationship, two people will give each other space to be themselves, to grow in a direction they choose and help each other become even more of who they authentically, essentially are. Changing another person will lead nowhere. It’s either learning to love unconditionally or going through the hell of not being accepted all over again.
4. Take care of yourself first
One of my favorite books, Mastery of Love, talks about it precisely. It’s not our responsibility to make our partner happy and it’s not your partner’s duty to make you happy. It is our responsibility to make ourselves happy and fill our own cup and from that cup we can share the love with our partner. If we are not satisfied with who we are, if we lack self-confidence, if we can’t overcome traumas from childhood and past relationships, we will always project our misery onto other people. RELATED: Do Not Marry Someone Until You Can Honestly Answer These 20 Qs
5. Make the relationship a priority
Today I believe that big love is more a choice than a sudden feeling. It’s two humans deciding to make a life together. No material thing, no house, no car, no job makes us rise or fall as much as our relationships (be it romantic, family, friends, etc.) We feel alive when we can share, when we can experience little, magical things together. We feel alive when we can laugh, cry, chat and be silent together. A relationship should always be the priority.
6. Have zero expectations
Every relationship is a whole life and a process. I try to learn not to have expectations from others and it’s a very hard lesson to learn. We expect each other to be a certain way and then we are disappointed because our expectations were not met. Embracing and adapting instead of expecting. Embracing every perfect imperfection and falling in love with the wholeness, uniqueness, and genuineness of the relationship between two people. RELATED: 16 Things Couples That Actually Stay Together For Life Do Differently
7. Communicate by expressing feelings
Other people can’t read our minds so we better learn to speak out loud what we feel, mean and think. Clear communication, also if it’s often very difficult, vulnerable, or even ugly, is a nonplus ultra of a healthy, strong relationship. Our partner is not left in the dark and can decide how to proceed without making wrong assumptions. It’s as simple as this. Have something on your mind? Say it.
8. Stay attractive for each other —mentally and physically
Take care of the mind, body, and spirit for ourselves. Even if this one is a hard truth, we want a partner who is attractive to us. But doing something for somebody is not a correct intention. When we are fit, healthy and keep on growing we feel confident, sexy and vibrant and our partner will always feel it. So never stop growing, evolving, rediscovering ourselves. RELATED: Why Staying Hot For My Husband Is Essential To Our Successful Marriage There is no formula for a perfect relationship. We all are different and I strongly believe that our partner is our best mirror. Our partner will absorb our inferiority complexes and reflect them back to us as much as our love, confidence and flourishing souls. We can learn from each other about ourselves every moment. We can learn to be together, patiently, with love, kindness and a desire to make it work. A relationship is always hard work. Work on ourselves, on our inner demons, on our stigmas which we learned in the past, on co-existing as two in this difficult but still miraculous world. I believe that love comes with experience and time and it gets stronger the more intimacy there is between two people. How beautiful it is when two people build up mental and physical intimacy, helping each other heal and reaching their highest potential. Together we are so much more than alone. Those who are in a long term relationship know how difficult it is to sometimes, but we all should set an intention to express love in its infinity. RELATED: 7 Tell-Tale Signs He’s Deeply In Love With You Olga Chirkova is an author and photographer who writes about relationships, leadership and self-improvement. This article was originally published at Good Men Project. Reprinted with permission from the author.
