6 Ways to be a Better Partner
Whether you’ve been in a serious relationship for a month, a year, or twenty years, you should never stop striving to be a better partner. Far too many couples become victims of “roommate syndrome,” where it starts to feel more like you’re living together as friends than romantic partners. Thankfully, you can do your part by actively taking steps to be the best partner possible. By putting in continued effort throughout your relationship, you’ll boost your bond, build intimacy, and help the roots of your partnership stay strong.
With that in mind, let’s cover six effective ways you can start to be a better partner immediately.
1. Express Your Needs
You might think opening up about your needs to your partner is selfish, but chances are, it is exactly what they want. No matter how well someone knows you, no one wants to have to “guess” what their loved one is thinking, wanting, or needing. By opening up, you’re showing vulnerability. It will encourage your partner to do the same, which can help to foster intimacy in your relationship.
2. Be an Active Listener
In addition to expressing your needs, it’s essential to be an active listener when it comes to your partner’s needs. Hearing and listening are two different things. Active listening involves no distractions, a deep understanding of what your partner says, and an acknowledgment of their feelings.
3. Have Healthy Arguments
Yes, arguing can sometimes be a good thing. The happiest, healthiest couples in the world still have disagreements. They just know how to handle them the right way. Don’t focus on winning when it comes to your arguments. Remember that you’re on the same team, and focus on coming to a healthy solution rather than digging up past hurts or saying/doing things to upset your partner intentionally.
4. Be Aware of Your Personal Issues
Recognize the fact that you’re both flawed and address any issues you might still be dealing with so they don’t negatively impact your relationship. Everyone has baggage. It might be from past relationships or even childhood. Maybe you’ve been able to work through a lot of your personal issues, but that doesn’t mean your partner shouldn’t know about them. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge them.
5. Create a Safe Communication Space
Trust is essential in a relationship. By creating a safe space for communication, no matter the topic, you and your partner will build more trust within your relationship. Communication will help to diffuse arguments, teach you more about each other, and let you know what it really is that makes your partner tick, so you can foster that feeling for them.
6. Be Independent
It’s not uncommon for people to lose their identities in their relationships. However, the healthiest relationships consist of people who regularly spend time alone and have a network of friends and family members not immediately connected to their partner.
It’s okay (and healthy!) to have your own interests and hobbies. You’ll feel more secure and self-assured when you spend time doing those things and encouraging your partner to do the same. As a result, you’ll be able to be the best version of yourself in your relationship, and you can learn more about your partner’s interests along the way.
There are countless ways to be a better partner. Your focus should absolutely be on the person you love and your relationship. But don’t ignore your needs, and don’t ignore self-care. You might be surprised by how much taking care of your mental and physical health can help your relationship and increase your bond and intimacy with the person you love.
