That being said, a large majority of relationships end much sooner than they would have if their participants had better nurtured them. Often it is not because those involved in the relationship were incompatible, but simply because one or both of them made a few basic mistakes. If those mistakes had been avoided, a flourishing relationship could have been created. Here are 4 things that every couple should do as soon as they start a new relationship in order to ensure its success.
Talk About Sexual Boundaries
There is a wide variety of viewpoints on sexual relations in a relationship, and it is virtually guaranteed that you and your new partner will have somewhat differing views on what those relations should be and when the different steps should be taken. Some people do not believe in sexual relations outside of marriage, while others prefer to wait until a certain number of dates. Even if you are both open to sexual relations, there are still boundaries to discuss. If you are frank and open, you will find that your partner appreciates your honesty and willingness to hold to whatever boundaries the two of you set. If you or your partner has been sexually active previous to your current relationship, then it is likely a good idea for you both to get some STD testing done. STDs often show up years later, and some of them can ruin lives.
Learn “Love Languages”
Everyone has a love language. For some people their love language is giving things to others. Other people prefer physical touch, yet still others prefer to spend time with those they love in order to express their feelings. The point is that we all have different love languages, and it is important to know what your partner’s is. You may discover that they are showing you love and you are not even realizing it. It is also important to know how to show love to those you are in a relationship with.
Identify Barriers To A Successful Relationship
Every relationship has barriers that you must overcome. The relationships that last find ways to overcome those barriers. It is important to be able to establish and identify barriers that may arise early in the relationship so that you can plan to overcome them. Some common barriers include the partner having an issue with family, ex-partners that keep popping into the relationship, friends, roommates, and more. As you consider what barriers your relationship may face, try to consider what you are willing to do to overcome those barriers. Maybe you need to spend a little less time at work, or playing video games with your friends. Establish priorities and then stick to your guns.
Prioritize
This was mentioned briefly in the previous point, but it is extremely important to prioritize items in your relationship. That is not to say that your relationship needs to be your number one priority, especially at the beginning. Still, it is important to understand where your relationship lies in relation to other items in your life. Understanding this will be helpful when something that could potentially cause a relationship problem comes up; if you’ve prioritized prior to that moment, you will know what to do. Your priorities have already been set. These four tips should always be taken into account at the start of a relationship. There are plenty of other important things, such as good communication, or showing your love, but these are a good start and can help build a good foundation for any relationship.
