You don’t need to have a relationship crisis to want to do better by your partner— or have your partner do better by you. Strengthening our relationships is an ongoing process. No matter what stage of life you are in or how long you’ve been with your partner, there is always room for growth. Your relationship should be an integral part of your life’s balance. And you and your partner should both be giving 100% whenever able.
But sometimes, it’s hard to stop and smell the roses. If something is clouding your life or your mental health, it can tax your relationship. That’s why it’s important to have a firm foundation together, so you know how to support each other when things get difficult and to talk through what’s going on. The more you understand the basics for building a strong relational foundation, the stronger your partnership will be. So let’s take a look at these foundations and how you can strengthen them.
The Foundations
Relationships have four core concepts to build on: trust, intimacy, communication, and intentionality. It’s important to realize that outside factors and past experiences can affect our mental health and make it more difficult for us to work on these concepts. While your connection may be instant, it will take time, patience, and partnership to put together a solid relationship foundation.
Whiles these core concepts have their own definitions and effects, they work together intrinsically to strengthen your relationship. For instance, you need to trust your partner, but how can you if the pair of you don’t communicate healthily? Open communication leads to vulnerability and helps with the different styles of intimacy. Intentionality is being active in your relationship, taking time to do things together and talking about anything and everything. Building on that trust and communication and displaying your affection. While you may think it’s obvious that you love your partner, their love language may be words of affirmation— they need to hear it from you.
Ways to Build
While the start of a relationship can be magical, you can’t rely on that puppy love to last. You need to take active measures to build on your relationship and show your love. Luckily for you and your partner, the Bay Area is full of avenues to explore your relationship. Prioritize each other by setting aside specific times in your schedules to be together for any of the below activities.
Take a Couples Class
Learning something new together can be incredibly fun. You could focus on couple-based activities like dance classes or go find a cooking class and bake cakes together. Learning to work together in a kitchen can help your communication and teamwork skills, and you can carry that activity into your home and make meals together.
Go on Adventures
The Bay Area is full of exciting things to do together, from gorgeous hiking trails to bass-thumping nightclubs. Try new things and find what you enjoy; just be sure to balance with each other. If you choose an activity one week, let your partner choose your activity for the next. Do things your partner loves, and find out why it means so much to them. Share in what you enjoy.
Find a Psychotherapist
No matter where you are in life, therapy opens a vast array of resources to live happier and healthier. Your mental health plays a key role in how you get on with your partner. Whether you seek individual counseling or want to go as a couple, therapy can help you build relationships that last. For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for couples can help you challenge each other to recognize negative behavior and thinking patterns and grow your communication skills. You can work on problem-solving strategies to act as partners when stressors come up in life or in your relationship. Whether you’ve been dating for a while, are engaged, married, or in a long-term non-marital commitment, there is no right or wrong time to seek couples therapy for a stronger partnership.
Find Your Ever After
We all know life isn’t a fairy tale. Once you’ve found your partner, there will still be trials waiting for you. An instant connection doesn’t mean a stable relationship. By coming to understand the basics of a romantic partnership, you and your partner can work together to strengthen your bond and face these trials together. Always remember to be open about what’s going on in your life and to work together as a team. Be intentional in your desire to stay together and support your partner. And, above all, enjoy your Bay Area romance’s ever after.
