Life can be a bed of
roses, but it can also be challenging. When you’re in a relationship, there are
bound to be highs and lows. It’s normal to experience tough times, but that
doesn’t offer much comfort if you’re struggling to see a way through. If you are
going through a bad patch with your partner, here are some steps that may help
you move forward.
Talk to each other
When you know someone
extremely well and you have a really close bond, it can be easy to assume that
they somehow know exactly how you’re feeling, and to presume that you know what
is going through their mind. The truth is that none of us are mind-readers.
Your partner may have no idea how you’re feeling and vice-versa. The key to tackling
problems and moving on after a difficult period often lies in talking to each other and
filling in the blanks. It’s not always easy to have frank conversations, but you’ll
feel better if you open up and you’re both honest. You don’t have to make a big
deal about communicating and set a time and date to discuss how you feel.
Instead, get into the habit of communicating freely on a regular basis. Even
the simplest things like asking your other half how their day was or listening
if they’re feeling down can make all the difference.
Don’t be afraid to
seek help or advice
Some of us find it
very easy to talk about our feelings, while others struggle to express
emotions. Often, we are reluctant to open up to the people we love because we
don’t want to burden or upset them. We also want to protect ourselves, and
being honest can make us feel vulnerable. If you don’t want to speak to
somebody you know, you might find seeing a therapist or a counselor beneficial.
You can do this alone or with your partner. Choose a therapist that has
experience in the kinds of problems you’re experiencing, for example, a
relationship counselor or a sexologist. Talking to somebody that doesn’t have
any preconceptions about your relationship and having someone to listen to you
can be refreshing and reassuring.
Concentrate on the
present while building a future
Many of us find it
difficult to move on after a rocky patch because we keep looking backwards or
we obsess about the future. It can be positive to look forwards, but don’t let
this approach apply extra pressure. We live in a society where milestones are
laid out for us, and this can create added strain. Focus on the present, have
fun now and start
building your future together. If you get carried away with wanting to be
married by the time you’re 30 or have children and a house and a dog by 35,
this can hamper your enjoyment of the present and increase stress.
Highs and lows are
par for the course in any relationship, but sometimes, tough times can floor
us. If you’re struggling to move on, hopefully, you’ll find this guide
helpful.
