In America today, the divorce rate hovers around 60 percent, and the average length of a relationship is just under three years. This may seem like an ominous trend, but it doesn’t mean that your relationship has to become one of those statistics. Like anything good in life, a fulfilling and lasting relationship requires hard work and constant effort. If you want to keep the bond strong, here are seven secrets of a long-term relationship you should know about.
1. Compromise
All relationships require give and take. When there’s an imbalance of this, it can breed resentment and hostility. Each of you should be putting as much into the partnership as you’re getting from it.
2. Communication
A lack of communication is one of the most fatal flaws in a relationship. It’s critical to talk about wants and expectations for the future and your feelings on issues that arise. Furthermore, don’t keep quiet about issues until they fester and finally come out during a heated argument. Discuss these things while you’re still feeling calm and reasonable.
3. Pick Your Battles
When you’ve spent enough time around someone, it inevitably becomes obvious that you’re not one person living in two bodies. You’re each your own people, and living under the same roof can be trying. Little things will start getting to you. However, rather than bickering over dirty dishes or who takes out the trash, save that energy for things that actually matter, like money or where to move to.
