Finding More Fulfillment In Your Relationships

Relationships are the "stuff of life." They make even the most trying and stressful of days worth it, since we know that at the end of those days, we have someone special that we can enjoy feelings of closeness with. 

Numerous studies on various groups of randomly selected people from all walks of life have found that one of the most common factors attributing to an overall sense of happiness and wellbeing is having quality and satisfying relationships.

Spending time figuring out ways to make your relationships more satisfying can be one of the best investments you can make in your own happiness!

Here are some ways in which you can begin to find MORE fulfillment in your relationships:

1. Spend time getting to know your partner. This simple yet effective strategy is an answer to all of those who spend time worrying about whether or not their partner likes them. This time could be better spent getting to know your partner and finding out things you never knew about them.

Taking time out of the day to ask about your partner can bring you two closer and set the foundation for a more intimate relationship. It is important to be patient, as your partner may not open up to you right away. You can start by talking about topics such as hobbies and interests, as opposed to deeper, more emotionally significant content.

2. Don't shy away from your differences. Many partners seem to think that they must be completely compatible in every way. This is simply not the case. Some of the strongest relationships are made up of people that have significant differences in likes and preferences. Acknowledging the differences between one another can help to make a relationship more exciting and interesting. How boring would life be if the person we were with had no interests unique from our own? We might as well be dating ourselves. Celebrate these differences rather than seeing them as barriers. 

3. Show love to your partner. It's so easy to get caught up in the routines of our busy lives. We may ignore or be short with our loved one without even realizing it. That's okay, it happens! However, being aware of it and noticing it so that you can take steps to compensate can make the difference between a relationship that slowly drifts apart and one that brings you two closer than ever. Relationships require continual nurturing. They may subsist on auto-pilot for a short period of time, but that relationship plane will eventually nose-dive if both partners aren’t deliberate in steering it. 

4. Schedule time to be with your partner. This is one of the most important ingredients to a lasting and fulfilling relationship. Sometimes life gets busy and setting aside specific time to be with your loved one may be the only time you two get together. Don’t get in the habit of putting your relationship on the back burner or making it your last priority. Making time for each other doesn't have to be a difficult process. Hanging out one night with your partner and comparing schedules will help you both easily recognize and free time you both might have. Even if kids are involved or schedules are hectic, couples can be deliberate in setting aside even a few minutes each day--or each week if necessary--to check in, connect, and communicate. This doesn’t mean you check in and communicate between school drop-offs about who is doing afternoon pick-up. This means setting aside uninterrupted quality time for one another. If all you have is 5 minutes, make those 5 minutes meaningful. 

5. Listen to your partner. Although your day may not have been a whirlwind, your partner's very well may have been. Lending a judgment-free and understanding ear to listen to the trials and tribulations that your partner has faced throughout the day can be therapeutic for both of you. 

Everyone wants to feel listened to and this can help go a long way towards adding a deep sense of satisfaction to your relationship. Even if you just focus on one of these strategies for the next few months, it would be well worth the investment into your relationship. If it still feels pretty overwhelming and you’re just not sure where to even begin, schedule a free first session either with myself or Zac Giparas and we’d love to help you find meaning and satisfaction in your relationship!

p.s. Did you know that we have online courses for your mental health? We love providing educational tools that will help you and your relationship come into a better understanding of who you are and how to effectively communicate. Check it out! More courses are always being added…

To Your Relationship,