Relationships are a lot of work! We're all aiming for healthy and happy ones. Here's how to become a better person in a relationship.
When I first started to date my partner, I hadn't been in a relationship in years. And the prior relationship wasn’t a healthy one. I had no idea how to transition from a single life into a committed relationship. And learning how to become a better person in a relationship was on top of my mind!
I was used to being with myself and only doing things for me. So, when it came time to listen to my partner's needs, I was like, What? But what about me? It took my time to understand what a healthy relationship looked like and what I needed to do as a partner.
# Show your appreciation
You may think your partner knows you appreciate them, but have you shown them lately? This is crucial. Don’t assume your partner knows how you feel about them. Instead, show them how much you love them. You don’t need to make grandiose gestures; it’s really about the small things. If their guitar has a broken string, go get it fixed.
# Ditch who's right and who's wrongIt's easy to get stuck on the whole who’s right, who’s wrong, argument. But this only takes away from the relationship. It isn’t about who’s right and who’s wrong, it’s about feeling respected and happy in your relationship. Just because you don’t agree with your partner, doesn’t mean they’re wrong.
# Do one nice thing every dayWhen you think about it, it’s easy to go days without doing anything kind for someone else, whether they’re your partner or not. This doesn’t have to be big things. They can be small acts of kindness like giving your partner a back rub, cooking them a surprise dinner, or get them flowers.
# Support your partner's goals and dreams
We all have our own goals and dreams, and as their partner, you should be supportive of them. If you don’t know whether your partner has dreams or goals, it’s about time you asked them. Once you know, help them get one step closer to their goals/dreams.
# Talk to them without holding your phoneIf your partner is talking to you about their day or something that’s bothering them, put down your phone. Give your partner your undivided attention. It’s the easiest way to make your partner feel respected and appreciated. Just doing this little thing will make a world of difference in your relationship.
# Work on youYou can do all these things to become a better person in a relationship, but you want to become a better person in your overall life. To become the best partner, focus on becoming the best version of yourself. Through this, you’ll automatically become a better partner. Never stop working on yourself.
# Be open minded
We all come with our own judgments and opinions, but be open minded when you’re in a relationship. Your partner wasn’t raised the same way as you, nor did they have the same experiences as you. We’re all who we are because of what we went through. If you don’t understand an aspect of your partner, don’t judge. Talk.
# Take responsibility for your actionsThis is a hard one, but you should do this. It’s time to grow up! Your partner isn’t your mom or dad. If you made a mistake, own up and take responsibility for your actions. It’ll be hard at first, but you’ll notice how much better you feel taking control of your life.
# Respond, don't react
If your partner did something that bothered you, it's easy to freak out and yell at them. But if you want to know how to become a better person in a relationship, it’s time you changed the way you respond to situations. By reacting negatively, you’ll create conflict, and that’s not always necessary. Instead, express your feelings and focus on a conversation about the issue instead.
# Focus on your partners passionsIf your partner likes wrestling or painting, be supportive. You don’t need to have the same level of excitement for their passion, but you should appreciate their interests. Find some part of the passion that interests you and talk about it with them. It’ll help you understand who they are, and they’ll feel you have their back.