It’s a cliche that says, “It’s better to have loved and lost, than to have never loved at all” Well… in contrary to a Walt Disney movie, love isn’t always everlasting. ‘Happily, Ever After’ is now a thing of fairytales.
With divorce rates skyrocketing and the ‘seven-year itch’ tingling after only three, finding ways to keep longevity in a relationship can be quite daunting and many opt to head for the hills rather than commit the time and effort to salvage their relationships.
According to the government census, 3.6% of every 1,000 people were divorced in 2006 and fewer than 5% of divorcing couples sought marriage counseling. There are several things couples can do to keep their relationships healthy, passionate, and long lasting. Up for the challenge?
Communicate:
Talk to you partner! Lack of communication can make or break relationships, whether it be friends, family, or significant others. Communicating thoughts and feelings, whether good or bad, can be healthy in a relationship.
Your partner may not like some of the things you have to say, but if you have enough respect and love for each other, they will take your feelings and opinions into consideration. Holding feelings or concerns back can lead to stress, resentment or even hatred for the other person.
Keep Dating:
You’re both extremely busy with family and careers and really don’t have much one-on-one time? Make time. Initially dating is part of a courtship, but as time passes, couples feel that going out to dinner or catching a movie is no longer necessary.
Choose a day of the week to be your ‘date night.’ This will give you the chance to get away from the stresses of work and home life and allow you to spend alone time together. These dates can strengthen your relationship and give you a chance to catch up.
Remain Intimate:
At first the sex was new, exciting, and passionate. Now it’s monotonous, boring and something you can do without. Sex alone can put a strain on a relationship. When a partner is bored or loses interest, they may stray.
Keep your sex life fresh by doing little things to excite your partner. Come home early from work and have a candlelit dinner prepared. The catch…? Serve him in lingerie. Sex shouldn’t feel like a chore or an obligation. Be open to trying new things sexually.
Refer to a Kama Sutra book or even a close friend for advice and find out about new techniques you can try in the bedroom. This could surprise and even turn your partner on, while showing them that you are making an effort to keep the passion in your relationship.
Before throwing in the towel on your relationship, realize what it is that you have together and that will help you determine if your relationship is worth the fight. Besides…nothing good ever came easy!
I appreciate the realistic yet optimistic tone of this article. The suggestions are not only actionable but also grounded in a deep understanding of human psychology. The importance of communication, continual courtship, and innovative intimacy cannot be overstated. This piece serves as a valuable reminder that relationships require ongoing effort and creativity to flourish. Truly, the best things in life are worth fighting for.
This article offers a refreshingly pragmatic approach to maintaining a relationship. The emphasis on communication, dating, and intimacy underscores the multifaceted nature of love, which extends beyond the ephemeral phases of infatuation. The data provided also serves as a stark reminder of the broader societal context in which our personal relationships unfold. Kudos to the writer for providing both practical and thoughtful advice.
The article raises some valid points about the importance of communication and maintaining intimacy in a relationship. It’s interesting to see how small efforts can make a big difference.
Right, because nothing says ‘I love you’ like lingerie and a copy of Kama Sutra. Clearly, the path to everlasting love is paved with scented candles and risqué outfits. Who knew it was this simple all along?
This article articulates the dire state of modern relationships quite well. It’s a sobering reminder that love requires ongoing effort and intentional actions. Perhaps if more couples dedicated time to communicating and keeping their bond strong through dates and intimacy, we wouldn’t see such alarming divorce statistics.
Absolutely, Jessica. Communication is indeed the cornerstone of any successful relationship. While the article does touch on essential points, I believe it should also address emotional intelligence and how it affects communication dynamics within a relationship.
The advice here is well-intentioned, but it seems overly simplistic. The complexities of human relationships can’t be boiled down to a few steps like ‘talk more’ or ‘date night.’ These tips might serve as temporary fixes but fail to address deeper, underlying issues that many couples face.
It’s intriguing how the article connects the idea of effort in relationships to the broader concept of ‘nothing good ever came easy.’ It highlights the necessity of working through challenges.
Oh, please! Yet another article that romanticizes the laborious work of keeping a relationship afloat. How about we just admit that some people aren’t meant to stick together and let that be okay? Not everything needs to be ‘saved’ or ‘worked on.’ Sometimes, it’s healthier to let go.
While the suggestions in the article are practical, it’s crucial to recognize that not all relationships can be salvaged through these methods alone.
Absolutely, some relationships face deeper issues that require more intensive interventions like therapy.
It’s also important to consider the individual circumstances and personalities involved; one size doesn’t fit all.
While the article presents some hopeful measures for maintaining relationships, it’s important to highlight the statistical backdrop provided. The 3.6% divorce rate in 2006 might not seem significant, but considering the population size, we are looking at a substantial number of individuals affected. Moreover, only 5% seeking counseling is rather telling about societal attitudes towards marital therapy.
Interesting read. The statistics presented are quite eye-opening, especially the low percentage of couples seeking marriage counseling. It underscores the lack of efforts people sometimes put into salvaging their relationships.
The reference to the government census statistics is quite telling. It’s a reminder that relationship issues are prevalent and not just isolated incidents.
The advice about keeping the romance alive through date nights and intimacy is practical, but it requires both partners to be equally committed.
While the article provides some reasonable tips, it’s overly simplistic. Relationships are not saved by mere suggestions like ‘keeping date nights’ or ‘remaining intimate.’ These solutions fail to consider deeper psychological issues that often underlie relationship problems.
Ah, yes, because candlelit dinners and lingerie are clearly the panacea for all relationship woes. How wonderfully simple! I’m positive that everyone’s problems will dissipate with a bit of romance and sex. (Sarcasm intended, for those who missed it.)
I must say, this article sheds light on the harsh reality of modern relationships. The practical advice on communication, dating, and intimacy can genuinely pave the way for longer-lasting connections. It’s a refreshing change from the overly romanticized notions perpetuated by popular culture.
Oh, wonderful. Another relationship guidebook that essentially says ‘talk more and have sex.’ If these tips worked as well as they’re touted, divorce rates wouldn’t be ‘skyrocketing.’ Maybe it’s time we rethink the entire institution of marriage.