Relationships that Work

What works in a relationship can vary greatly from one couple to the next. After all, each individual has unique needs so there couldn't possibly be one secret formula for creating a perfect relationship for everyone. You can decide whether the ideal relationship in your head is the one you want to keep for all time, or whether you'd like to bend it a bit to match more of what has been shown to work for others. Granted, what works for others might not work for you, so in the end, you may to need to simply listen to your gut and follow your heart.

Ways to make your relationship more successful:

-Make sure you want to be in a relationship and that the person you are with is right for you.
-Give your partner the benefit of the doubt and assume that they are trying their best to make you happy and are acting with your best interests in mind.
-Be a little flexible in terms of how much closeness and togetherness you need.
-Learn how to communicate in ways that will promote your relationship and build closeness and understanding between you. For example, show respect, not criticism.
-Learn how to love yourself and how to be in touch with your own emotions, don't deny or suppress what you may be feeling or thinking.
-Find ways to keep the passion in your relationship alive.
-Learn to tolerate adversity and stress.
-Experience life together as an adventure.