LOVE & TOXICITY
How Do You Prevent a Relationship from Getting Toxic?
“Communication is the key to a healthy relationship.”
This has been repeated far too many times that it’s starting to lose its meaning — which is a shame because so many couples need to adhere to this.
There are many aspects of a relationship that need attention. However, for a relationship to even form a sort-of semblance, the couple needs to communicate.
They need to start talking to each other daily, so they don’t end up being miserable.
Below are some healthy practices to consider:
Talk to each other (about anything).
From what you both want for dinner to what kind of plans you have for the future — be open and vocal with even the most mundane of things. Talk about dreams, ask your partner about their day, or complain about each other’s pet peeves. If you two keep silent in an attempt to avoid hurting each other’s feelings, it’s going to boil over.
When you’re upset, tell your partner.
Instead of stonewalling your lover, work on converting your feelings into words. Explain what got you upset. Relay your thoughts without getting mad. If they don’t listen to you and get defensive, do they really love you? Because that kind of response means they aren’t willing to hear you out and are more focused on defending themselves.
Your partner should also do the same. If something is upsetting them, encourage them to talk about it. And when they do, listen and understand. Put yourself in their shoes, and don’t make judgments until they’re done.
Ignoring everything will force the situation to come back later. By then, you and your partner will have more difficulty handling it.
Don’t walk out during arguments, either. Understand that you’re both angry, and you’re both right. Agree to disagree if it comes to that.
Forgive.
The fastest path to an exhausting relationship is spite. Keeping count of all the deeds you or your partner did wrong is not healthy. It will force the other to keep on counting until it turns into a mess.
Apologize and forgive. Learning to let go is the most mature action you can do in any situation. This includes arguments in relationships.
Tell the truth.
If you build a relationship on lies, even a kid will tell you that you’re doing it wrong.
Don’t make an excuse about your lies being “little white lies” because you don’t want to hurt your partner. The more you keep telling yourself that, the more you keep doing it. What are you going to do when you find yourself knee-deep in lies?
An honest relationship is the best kind. It’s not an easy one, but great events stay the way they are because people work hard at it. You think relationships are great from the beginning. But no one is ever that lucky.
Relationships are about giving and taking.
That’s what’s best about being with someone. You’re not alone. You have someone that carries the burden along with you.
You and your partner ought to be giving love to each other. You also should be accepting love instead of pushing the other away.
If you want your relationship to be healthy, where you are both happy and in love, then communicate.
Communicate and forgive.
