Fighting – or conflict if we want to get a little fancy with our words here – is a normal – even healthy part of any intimate relationship. You know this is true. Unless you are a “Stepford Wife” or “Stepford Girlfriend”; do you remember this movie? The one where the wives were killed and replaced with robots who were programmed to look and act like the perfect wife? Ugh, gross – I am cringing. Anyway, since you are not a Stepford Wife (thank goodness) – you and your partner are not going to feel and think the same way about every issue and/or situation that comes along. In other words, you and your partner – both having a mind of your own, are bound to disagree and hence, fight at times.
Therefore, the trick to maintaining love and intimacy in your relationship is NOT to avoid the fact that you and your partner may be angry with each other or feel differently about some issues; rather it is to bring these angry and/or differing feelings out into the open so you are both fully aware of them. And this is where tip #1 begins – communication.
1. Communicate your feelings about what is bugging or upsetting you.
I wish I had a nickel for every time someone told me: “I shouldn’t have to tell him/her that I am upset about blah, blah, blah (whatever it is the person is upset about) – he/she should know. HELLO?! Well maybe he/she should know- but so what? If they don’t know – tell them. Your relationship is not a game – with a winner or loser. You don’t want to go there. Your relationship is a partnership – so act like it is and communicate your feelings – There is too much at stake to be playing a guessing game.
Read More »
This week relationship advice ezine talked about how emotional intimacy and sexual intimacy go hand in hand in a happy healthy relationship. We really can’t have one without the other.
Isn’t it amazing how life sometimes gets in the way of taking care of your relationship. Share with us how you keep intimacy alive in your relationship. And what are your most difficult challenges in doing this?
Building Together A Relationship Filled With Love, Health & Wealth,
Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com
This week’s relationship advice e-zine talks about the value of setting realistic expectations for your relationship.
It is great to set high expectations for your life. If you do not expect anything out of life that is exactly what you will get – nothing. The same is true for your relationship. We should have high expectations for our relationship; however, these expectations must be grounded in reality.
Share with us how you developed the expectations you have for your relationship. Did you initially have unrealistic expectations that you had to change? Or were your expectations for your relationship grounded in reality all along?
Building Together A Relationship Filled With Love, Health & Wealth,
Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com
This week’s relationship advice e-zine discusses the role of commitment in a happy, healthy relationship.
We all want to be in a committed relationship. In order to get our partner to commit to our relationship, we have to first be willing to demonstrate our commitment to ourselves.
What are some of the ways you reveal your commitment to yourself, and therefore reveal your commitment to your relationship? How do you show your commitment to your partner in your relationship?
Building Together A Relationship Filled With Love, Health & Wealth,
Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com
We all look forward to the warm weather months ahead here in North America. Are there any special activities and/or moments you and your partner create that are unique to this beautiful time of year?
Special moments shared together help create the foundation for a happy, healthy relationship. The beautiful weather this time of year often allows us to create many varied unique & special moments. Whether you are a couple that enjoys the warm or cold months, it is important that you spend time together to increase the romance and intimacy in your relationship.
Building Together A Relationship Filled With Love, Health & Wealth,
Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com
What types of fun moments or special activities do you like to do with your partner to keep your relationship alive and emotionally healthy?
It is really important that couples have fun times when they are together. Planning and having special activities together helps maintain a happy, healthy relationship because they provide a breath of fresh air into our relationship.
Building Together A Relationship Filled With Love, Health & Wealth,
Dr. Patty Ann
www.relationshiptoolbox.com
