It is just a first phase when meeting a person turns into a relationship. In the start everything will be great and exciting. Both partners are in love and want to do everything together. But after a while the butterflies will be gone and the relationship will become more normal and seem more obvious. You will start to find out that your partner has some negative sides as well. When he seemed very confident before, he looks more like a control freak now, or when you thought he was so sweet and caring, he might look like a sissy now.
Question is if you want to stay together in spite of the negative sides. Even though you care for each other, it does not need to mean that you make a great couple and need to stay together. To make the right decision, you will have to have a close look at:
- Respect: Do you accept each other? Or are you trying to change the other person? Do you treat each other with respect?
- Emotional connection: Do you feel emotionally connected with your partner? Can you talk about your feelings? Do you do fun things together?
- Conflicts: Can you solve conflicts easily? Are you both able to compromise?
- Sex: Can you talk about your sexual desires and limits? Are you still on the same page about how, where and how often?
- Self-esteem: Do you both feel good about yourselves? Do you have a life of your own?
I just want to live happily ever after, every now and then.
Jimmy Buffett
When you can answer these questions positively, you are on the right track. You can start the second phase of the relationship, the one of love. The intense feelings of passion and excitement will be taken over by happy feelings of safety and acceptation. The relationship will become closer and you will be connected even more. There is not reason why you should not live happily ever after.
Tags: Romance and Relationships
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