Over 50% of all marriages in the US end in divorce. That’s a scary statistic, and it makes you even wonder why we go into relationships to begin with, doesn’t it?
Well, don’t get a fatalistic attitude just yet – you don’t have to be in a bad relationship, and it doesn’t have to end. With a little work, some luck, and a couple of good, compatible people, you can make a relationship last for long into the future.
Communication
I will say it again and again – the most important step to having a good, fulfilling relationship is real and true communication. Talking about anything and everything… the best couples are those that really talk in their day to day life.
Take time each night to spend with each other. It doesn’t have to be long – a half an hour to an hour, at most – but the time should be there, and nothing else should be in the way. Not a TV, or a paper, or event he radio.
At a loss for what to talk about? Well, that’s a good sign that you don’t have enough communication in your relationship to begin with.
The easiest thing to talk about is our day – what happened, who we saw, and who we were with. It’s the small things, and the big things, that make a relationship grow.
The Ability to Be Truthful
This is hard, especially for those that aren’t used to it. A recent study done said that those who women are most attracted to early on in a relationship, the typical ‘ladies man’, who is easily adaptable and gives them what they want, is actually a worse long term partner.
The reason? Men who are used to social situations where they adapt, and give their companions what they want, are less likely to be open and honest about certain things. This is why it’s so important – if you’re not open, honest, and serious about your needs, what you like, what you dislike, and even the placement of the table in the living room, it’s going to lead to unhappiness.
So instead of telling her what you think she wants to hear, tell her what she needs to hear. The truth. I’m not saying that you should tell her that you hate her mother – that’s territory best not walked upon – but it when it comes to the normal things, stick to the truth. For your relationships sake.
“What You Did to Get her, Do To Keep Her”
Most men throw this out the window two months into a relationship – they start ignoring the little things that they used to do to make their gal smile. At first, she doesn’t think much of it… but then, she sees you as something other than what she thought.
Not sure what I’m talking about?
Well, the first few times she came to your apartment, it was clean, right? So when you suggest moving in together, she loves it. And in the beginning, you kept things clean… but then, you stop paying so much attention, and the next thing you know, you left your dirty underwear on the couch, and she’s out the door.
What you did to get her – flowers, candy, bath water – you need to do in order to keep her by your side.
Overall…
Work is the true key to making your relationship last. It’s not like some game that you can pick up and put down – you need to pay attention to her, love her, and care about her always and forever. That’s the real way to make a relationship last.
Get our top 10 relationship tips here.