Being a better partner sometimes takes a little work, but it is worth it…
How to be a better Partner
There is a tendency in relationships to want the other person to change. It is much easier to see what the other person is doing wrong, but one thing I know is that it’s much easier to change yourself than someone else.
These are 9 things that people in healthy relationships tend to do, and learning to practice them can make you a better partner…
1) Practice Listening
Listening is extremely important in healthy relationships. Forbes even published an article about the many benefits of learning to listen.
Listening is not just asking questions. Listening is the act of really trying to understand what your partner is trying to tell you. There are times when listening can be very beneficial to your partner.
How to Practice listening
- Don’t ask questions
- Don’t offer input
When they are finished, repeat back what you think they are trying to tell you.
If your partner doesn’t feel that you have understood what they are trying to say, then have them say it differently until they feel you have really heard what they are trying to say.
This may seem a little silly, but so often in relationships what we think someone is saying is not what they are actually saying.
While asking questions and offering our opinions can be helpful in many instances it can sometimes stop us from really hearing what is being said.
Being a good listener will help you to be a better partner. This is an important quality to have in any relationship, not just romantic ones.
2) Never withhold Affection as a form of Punishment
While withholding affection from your partner may work short term to get what you want, it is not beneficial in the long run.
Repeatedly using silent treatments and withholding affection from your partner will only build resentment over time.
3) Don’t discount your Partner’s Feelings
Never tell your partner their feelings are wrong. If your partner feels a certain way, they have a reason to feel that way.
Everyone has their own set of triggers. Just because you might not feel the same way in a given situation does not mean their feelings are not valid. Being able to put yourself into someone else’s situation is called empathy and it is absolutely necessary for healthy relationships.
While all people experience a similar gamut of emotions, we vary vastly in what invokes those feelings.
4) Don’t discount your Partner’s Opinions or Ideas
This should go without saying but people in healthy relationships don’t tell their partner that their ideas and opinions are invalid or stupid. If you truly believe that your partner has some really dumb ideas or opinions then it is probably not a good idea to be in a relationship with that person.
5) Don’t play games
Pretending to not be interested by ignoring texts and calls may work initially to keep someone interested but any kind of games do not work in committed long term relationships.
Relationships based on games will not last.
6) Practice Appreciation
It is sometimes easier to find faults in people. Take the time to acknowledge what you like about your partner and tell them frequently.
7) Don’t hide your feelings
If something is bothering you let your partner know. Bottling your feelings builds resentment and often ends in heated arguments.
8) Be supportive of your Partner’s Goals
If you believe your partner’s goals are not worth achieving, then it is probably a good idea to end the relationship. Being supportive of your partner’s hopes and dreams is absolutely essential to a healthy relationship.
9) Make yourself happy
A lot of relationships go sour because people expect their partner to be responsible for their emotions at all moments. If you are not able to be happy alone you will not be happy with someone else.
Practice self care and don’t expect your partner to solve all your problems.
Need some Guidance in your journey….
I am a life coach specializing in happiness and life purpose.
Because I believe everyone needs and goals are different I offer as little or as many sessions as needed.
For a free 15 minute consultation e0mail me at aglassofcheri.com