Many LTRs eventually reach a point when you have to rethink the relationship’s future. Maybe you’ve begun arguing more and miss the honeymoon period, maybe you’re in completely different life stages and feel detached, or maybe you’re simply bored and fantasizing about someone else. While any long-term relationship is certain to have its ups and downs, determining whether you’re in one of those inevitable “downs” or whether you’d be better off apart and it’s time to walk away may be tough. If you’re not sure whether to stick it out for the long run or start again, here are 3 ideas to try.
1. Have the conversation
Although it may appear clear, many people struggle with communication and avoid confrontation for fear of hurting someone’s feelings or feeling exposed. PSA: Don’t expect that ignoring a dispute or issue will make it go away. In actuality, problems may fester until they burst, or you might become so distant that you can’t go back.
2. Try couple’s therapy
If you and your spouse don’t have productive communication or find yourself repeating conversations, couples counseling can not only help you work through difficulties but can also teach you vital communication skills for the future.
3. Identify what you want versus what you expect
We anticipate the other person to be our “everything” when we enter a relationship. We think that our life partner should completely satisfy us emotionally, intellectually, sexually, spiritually, and in other ways. Not to add the pressures to make us feel loved, help with home duties or childcare, watch the same movies/music/hobbies as us, and be interesting and spontaneous in bed. Expecting someone to be everything to us is unrealistic and unjust.
Source:theeverygirl