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There is no time like the present to learn to manage change in a relationship, and this year has been riddled with changes (social, economic, technological, and personal) that have been challenging to say the least.
All changes impact a relationship. Learning to duck and dive and adjust when life happens will help you be less fearful when change comes knocking on your door.
Like every great building, relationships need a strong foundation from which to grow. If your relationship is already tumultuous, working through change can be challenging. Building a base of trust in your relationship early on is the way to go. If this hasn’t happened, now is a perfect time to start.
Try some of the following tips to build a strong foundation:
- Talk through issues and disagreements
- Listen to each other with curiosity
- Be kind
- Be honest (even if the truth is not what your partner wants to hear)
Remember, love is powerful; it can endure. And most important to building enduring trust is to mean what you say and say what you mean.
Be Extra Patient During Stressful Changes
During a move, a new baby, a death in the family, or a new job, lather on patience extra thick. Try a few of these tips to help:
Each of you may want to talk about how or why you react the way you do, talk about the hurts, fears, and insecurities that shape your reactions. This alone can help relieve a lot of the stress.
Stay Physical With Each Other
This doesn’t mean just having sex. Try some of the following tips:
- Hold hands
- Snuggle
- Touch each other as a physical symbol (you’re present and ready to do the work.)
Often change can produce resentment, which can bleed into the bedroom. Allow yourself the pleasure of sharing one another’s bodies, let your guard down, and re-connect.
If you are both spiritual or religious, try the following:
- Pray together
- Meditate together
- Do yoga together
- Share inspirational gems with your partner that speak to you
Send kind texts, remind your partner that you love them. Life as a couple is sweeter when you know your partner has your back, that you are not alone and that your loved one is rooting for you in and outside of the relationship.
Do Something Familiar Together
Leap off the overly stressed and serious bandwagon to find the time to get back to the essence of your relationship with your partner. Find a thread of familiarity you both enjoy. Try these following tips:
- Something simple like coffee together in the morning
- Talk about funny memories
- Look through old photos together
Change will come whether you are ready or not. However, learning to deal with it together will make life richer while deepening your relationship and being better prepared for the inevitable changes to come. |
