Staying in Love: 6 Dating Tips for
a Happy, Healthy Relationship
After going on countless dates, you finally meet someone you'd want to spend the rest of your life with. But now, it sounds too good to be true because it seems like you're no longer on the same page with your partner.
Current society makes people feel that there's a "perfect" guy or woman out there when it comes to dating. Moreover, online dating apps provide plenty of options that it's easy to take a person for granted. People forget that the whole point of entering a relationship is to develop, learn, and connect with another soul.
A relationship is not about finding a perfect person. It's about finding an imperfect person who's right for you. Is your current relationship on the rocks? These dating tips from Evan Marc Katz may help you save the relationship.
What is considered a "healthy" relationship?
In the dating world, people come together for different reasons, making every relationship unique. However, you need to ensure that what you have is healthy with mutual respect, honesty, and trust present.
As a couple, you should be able to:
- Maintain emotional connection - Both should make the other feel loved and fulfilled.
- Respectfully disagree - Both should feel safe to express the things that bother them without fear of retaliation. You should be able to resolve conflict without the need to humiliate, degrade, or insist on being right.
- Sustain identity -Just because you're dating doesn't mean you shouldn't keep outside interests alive. To enrich and stimulate romantic relationships, preserve your identity and connections with family and friends, and maintain your hobbies and interests.
- Communicate honestly and openly - When both of you know what you want from the relationship, you feel comfortable expressing desires, fears, and needs. This can increase trust and strengthen bonds between the two of you.
Tips for Healthy Relationships
Even though every relationship is distinct, there are ways to maintain a happy, healthy relationship. Check out the following tips and see if it's something you can apply.
1. Keep your expectations realistic.
No person can become everything you want them to be. To keep a healthy relationship, you need to accept your significant other as they are and not try to change them.
2. Communicate and genuinely listen to each other.
Communication is vital in any relationship. Spend time and make an effort not just on the first date but also on the days that come after.
Ask questions and don't interrupt while the other is talking so that you can fully understand their perspective. Share things about your day so that your mate can know more about you.
3. Be flexible with change.
It's okay to feel uneasy about changes. However, for a relationship to grow, change should be allowed to happen.
4. Take care of yourself.
Healthy relationships are mutual, with enough room for both people's needs. Just because you're dating doesn't mean you should neglect yourself. Make sure to keep your life balanced, and remember to take care of yourself too.
5. Fight fair during conflicts.
Conflict happens, and just because you disagree about something doesn't mean you dislike each other. Whenever there's a disagreement, try to cool down before talking. Your conversations will be more meaningful when emotions have subsided, and you won't say anything you may regret.
- Use "I" statements.
Share how you exactly feel without blaming the other or having hidden motives. For example, you can say, "When you don't call, I start feeling like you don't care about me," rather than "You never call when you're away. I think I'm the only one making an effort in this relationship." - Keep it clear and specific.
Try to describe the particular behavior that you're upset with while avoiding criticism and judgment. Blame the problem, not the person. - Focus on the present issue.
The conversation will only get worse if you pile on everything that bothered you. Avoid using words like "always" and "never" and address one problem at a time. - Take responsibility for your mistakes.
Apologize if you're the one who did wrong. This goes a long way towards setting things right again. - Recognize that not all problems can be easily solved.
You both are different people with beliefs, habits, personalities, and values not always in alignment. Some things may be deeply rooted, that it's hard to change them. Figure out what you can accept or when the relationship is no longer healthy for you.
6. Be reliable.
If you already made plans with someone, follow through. When you take on a responsibility, make sure to complete it. Healthy relationships should be trustworthy.
Ups and Downs Are Always Present
All romantic relationships will go through ups and downs. It will take commitment and willingness to adapt and change. But whether you just met through online dating or you've been together for years, you can do something to build a healthy relationship.
Even if you've experienced failed relationships in the past doesn't mean you can't rekindle the fires of romance in your current relationship. If you can't handle it on your own, seek outside help. Sometimes, relationship problems can be too much to handle as a couple, try to talk to a professional who can help.