10 Ways to Enjoy Your Relationship

Greetings friends! Trust your week has been great. Today I want to share something on relationship. I know for many of us, it is something that we’ve experienced and seen.

Relationship exists at different levels and with different people. We have relationship with our spouses, our children, our friends, our colleagues, our neighbors and so on. Depending on the type of relationship, we could have different communication and commitments. But one thing for sure is that we love it when we enjoy our relationship.

I just put these 10 ideas together to share how we can enjoy our relationship, or even do better if we’re already enjoying it. Here are those 10 ideas.

1. Understanding people: I believe to enjoy our relationship, we must understand people. This means we must acknowledge them for who they are – understand their nature, behaviors, personalities and so on. People are different and that must be known for sure. Apart from that, when we understand the uniqueness of individuals, what makes people behave the way they do, including us, we will appreciate people more and value them. That would make us to enjoy our relationship with them.

2. Being open-minded: In any relationship, it is important we are open-minded. That means we have the mind that wants to learn and receive new things. We are not rigid or dogmatic on old things. We are willing to accept and understand new things. Being open-minded allows us to receive people and welcome their ideas. 

3. Open communication: Communication is key if we want to enjoy our relationship. We must allow smooth and open communication with our partner. Many things would be solved if we allow good communication. And in fact, what makes any relationship works is simply because there is a good line of communication.

4. Being a good listener: As part of ways to enjoy our relationship, being a good listener is vital. This means you want to hear attentively what the other person has to say. You want to give them your time and attention, and process only what they are telling you and not what you want to tell them. Being a good listener makes the other person feels valuable and admirable. They feel someone wants to hear them out and give attention to their needs. It’s a good feeling and it bolsters good relationship.

5. Forgiveness: In every time in relationship, we’ve got to develop the nature of forgiveness. If we want to enjoy our relationship, forgiveness is inevitable. This is because there would be some times our partner would offend us, and the only thing we have to do after letting them know they have offended us, is to forgive them. 

It’s not good to be carrying grudges and resentments over every issue in our relationship. Such action could be a recipe for trouble in future. As soon as issues come up, address them and don’t hang them over to the following time. And if there is love in your relationship, there will also be room for forgiveness even though your partner offends you. But not to keep offending you and hope you will forgive them. That is being intentionally cruel. That is not love!

6. Knowing the person’s love language: Love language is the only language people understand when it comes to enjoying relationship. There are 5 love languages according to the book – The 5 Love Languages. The 5 are - words of affirmation, physical touch, art of service, giving of gifts and quality time. I can’t overemphasize the value of these 5 love languages in relationship. And they are different from person to person. So, to enjoy your relationship, you must know your partner’s love language and be able to speak it to them.

7. Establish purpose of the relationship: Part of the reasons why any relationship will make sense is to establish the purpose from the beginning. Is it a close relationship or distant one? Is it for a short-term or long-term? Who is the person to you and what do you plan to achieve? And so on. Things must be settled before you start. People who go into relationship without establishing the purpose end up blaming themselves or their partner. And in such situations, mistakes and regrets are inevitable. So, to enjoy your relationship, you must establish the purpose from the beginning and be able to fulfill it.

8. Willingness to grow together: Relationship is about walking together and growing together. If we want to enjoy our relationship, there must be willingness to grow together. There would be some things we have to forego. And there would be some things we have to accept or accommodate – while we don’t lose ourselves or values in the process. When we are willing to grow together, we will appreciate what the other person has to offer and allow them to positively influence us.

9. Know what you stand to gain: To enjoy the relationship you are in, you must know what you stand to gain. In as much as you are not running a transaction, you are in something worthy of your time and value. As human beings, we love rewards. We love gains. So, when you know there is something valuable in a relationship for you, you will cherish and protect it. 

The gain doesn’t have to be something material, but something worthwhile and valuable to you. And feel free to let your partner know what you want. That will go a long way in helping you enjoy your relationship. And when you know what you stand to gain and you are gaining it, you will surely enjoy your relationship.

10. Giving attention and affection: If you want to enjoy your relationship, these two words are very important – attention and affection. They are what make the other person feels valuable and admired. If you don’t give attention and affection to your partner, you will never have the best of them. And there could be issues from time to time. 

But when you are giving quality time and affection to your partner, they will value it and appreciate you for it. Giving attention and affection starts from little things like paying attention to your partner’s dress, their look, their actions, and saying good words to them. 

It could also be buying them what they need or supporting them in any way. People appreciate when they see someone willing to help, and truly help.

So, those are the 10 ways I think you can enjoy your relationship, and even more. I hope you enjoy them. I hope you keep enjoying your relationship and having a great time with your partner. If you have any questions or comments, kindly put them in the comment section and I would be glad to answer them. Have a nice week and God bless you.

To read the previous article, please click on this link: https://abiolagold.blogspot.com/2022/10/raising-daughter.html