I’m lucky to say that I’ve found my forever after. Two years ago, I randomly met the love of my life, the one true keeper of my heart, my person, my soulmate. It may sound cliché, but I love him more than words can say.
I can honestly say that I’m at the most peaceful and safe place ever since. We’ve never had any problem communicating or solving our own issues. Life with him is practically a Disney fairytale come true.
The thing is, I keep hearing the same thing from people I know. “Oh, you are so lucky” or “You have it all”, or the good, old-fashioned “You don’t have a single care in the world, you’ve found your perfect man”.
People, let me tell you something.
Healthy and functional relationships don’t just happen overnight. They aren’t something you can win on the lottery. It’s not always luck. Yes, I was lucky to have met him. But, our unconditional love is a result of months and months of mutual understanding based on compromises.
You know what they say. Teamwork makes the dream work. So, here are some essential tips for a happy and loving relationship from me to you. Don’t ever forget to…
1. ADMIT WHENEVER YOU MAKE A MISTAKE
Honesty is the most important trait a person can have. It is also the foundation of a successful and happy relationship.
The most righteous and noble people in the world are not those who don’t make mistakes, but those who have the courtesy to apologize and take responsibility for what’s done.
2. STOP HIDING YOUR EMOTIONS AND START COMMUNICATING
There’s no such thing as pride in a relationship. If you want to commit to a person and experience what true love really means, you’d have to leave your arrogance, all of your inhibitions, ego trips and vanity at the door.
Real, uncensored and therefore a healthy relationship takes a lot of communication. Honest, heartfelt, eye-to-eye, deep conversations about everything that matters.
3. GIVE YOUR PARTNER SPACE TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS IN LIFE
The real magic in all genuine relationships is the feeling of freedom to do whatever the hell you want with your life and still have a partner beside you who keeps cheering and supporting every step you take.
Being in a relationship means sharing a life together, but it certainly doesn’t mean that you have to give everything you’ve ever believed in to be with your partner.
Love just doesn’t work that way. Love is free.
4. DO THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY
Similar to the previous statement, being in a relationship means continuously doing the thing that makes you happy.
True love won’t force you to give up on yourself. On the contrary, it will inspire you to find yourself and motivate you to never stop growing.
5. EXPRESS YOUR LOVE WITH SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS EACH AND EVERY DAY
Humans are used to taking things for granted. We get so caught up in the struggles of mediocre life, our mediocre job, and the material world that we forget the fact that the most important things in life are for free. They are priceless.
So, we often underestimate the power of a single touch, a kiss, a warm hug, a kind word, a shoulder to cry on, a simple smile. We forget that everything we really need to stay alive is already there.
6. JUST LISTEN
Most importantly, a real relationship means opening your mind and really listening to what the other person has to say.
Because sometimes less means more.
7. LET YOUR LOVE DEFEAT THE FEAR INSIDE OF YOU
Love is meant to be felt. It’s not a sensation we should be afraid of. Because the more we give love, the more we receive love. You can’t hold back your feelings and expect love to find you.
A relationship cannot reach its peak if one person fears to open up. It takes two to tango, and it takes two to love.
Yes, it means being vulnerable enough to give someone the chance to hurt you, but it also means trusting them enough to know that they’d never do it.
8. EMBRACE THEIR FLAWS INSTEAD OF FORCING YOUR EXPECTATIONS ON THEM
More than anything, a true relationship requires embracing one’s flaws, accepting them for what they are or moving on without them.
As I said, happy relationships take a lot of effort, acceptance, sacrifice and a will to make a loooot of compromises.
Don’t try to force your expectations on someone and call that relationship.
Unconditional love is called unconditional for a reason. You love someone with all of their flaws, quirks, and imperfections.
