To really have a good relationship, you need to be comfortable with yourself first. This does not mean that you have to start out that way with your SO, but it does help. My SO completes me, so in some ways being with her makes me feel better about myself. Give up any illusions. The person you are having a relationship with is not a perfect person. You are both going to have moments when you are irritable at life and with each other. If you argue, try to do it calmly. Yelling isn't really helpful to the situation. If you do something wrong, apologize immediately. Sometimes you apologize even when you aren't wrong. It is said that opposites attract. However long-term relationships succeed on our similarities. It is helpful to be with someone who is like you in more ways than one (i.e. like-minded). Before you get married, it is best to talk about such things as careers, job moves, children, etc. The fewer things that can come between you that you haven't discussed the better. Always spend at least 30 minutes to an hour each day talking to your spouse one-on-one without lots of interruptions. This is one of the most critical things. Always discuss things. Don't assume you know what your spouse is thinking. You are probably misinterpreting things. There are others, but this is a good start.
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