RELATIONSHIPS
5 Ways to Cultivate Friendship Within a Relationship
Picture yourself in a restaurant, minding your own business when suddenly two couples walk inside. Because you are alone and enjoying your food with no one to talk to, you decide to observe the couples separately.
One couple seems to be very serious and less interactive with each other. Meanwhile, the couple appears to be lighter, happier, and engaging. Which couple do you think is happier at home? Which of them has less issues?
If you say the second one, you’d most probably be right. The way they carry themselves would suggest that they have a better connection.
And so you ask, what does the second couple have that the first doesn’t? If couple number two does indeed have the better relationship, it is because they cherish the friendship in their relationship.
People say that the secret to a successful and long relationship is to make your partner your best friend. When friendship is there, couples are bound to benefit a lot from that relationship.
Couples need to be proactive and aware about cultivating their friendship within the relationship. Aside from its positive effects on the couple’s emotional and mental health, it acts as a safeguard from the relationship turning impersonal.
Relationships where friendship between partners isn’t nourished run the risk of turning impersonal, almost like a business transaction. Couples then stay together out of an uninspired convenience and practicality, lacking the emotional connection.
In order to cultivate friendship, here are some suggestions of habits that you can develop to recharge your relationship with your partner:
1. Have an open communication line
Friends don’t hold back against each other, especially when it comes to what they want to say. As a couple, you should be comfortable about being totally honest with each other. Allow yourselves to speak your mind freely and to listen without getting offended.
Listen to your partner charitably and with empathy.
2. Encourage your partner
Just like what you do with your friends, encourage your partner instead of constantly criticizing her efforts. Encouragement and support are needed by friends. Your partner is no exception to this. Let her feel that you are behind her all the way.
3. Be patient with your partner
When friends commit mistakes, we just shrug them off and laugh. Let your partner feel that it’s okay to make mistakes. And if she has a hard time doing something, always offer to help.
4. Be involved with their hobbies and interests
Show interest in the things she is interested in and involved in. In fact, you two should have a common set of hobbies as well. Whether it is running, playing sports, or traveling, find things to do together that both of you truly enjoy.
5. Avoid unrealistic expectations
We don’t all have to like the same thing. You don’t have to order the same kind of food, nor do you have to like every restaurant she does.
But learn to take turns. Today, go to a place she likes. Tomorrow, a place you like.
Always learn to reciprocate the goodness that your partner shows to you.
Remember, friendships and companionships are the fuel that keeps a couple moving forward.
Developing a healthy relationship happens when we show interest in our partner. As a couple, your interest in one another’s lives should be heartfelt, frequently expressed, and reciprocated.
If you desire to succeed as a couple, first succeed as friends.
