Having positive, strong relationships with your partner, friends, and family members is crucial to your happiness. Even though working towards achieving your personal and professional goals keeps you motivated, success is better when you can share it with the ones you love. Sharing your success with others, which you worked so hard for, strengthens your support system and enhances your life.
But healthy, flourishing relationships don’t just happen on their own. It’s important to nurture your relationships so that they contribute to your happiness and overall well-being. Sustaining romantic and friendly relationships over years isn’t for the faint of heart and requires lots of effort. Relationships take two to tango — both people have to be communicative, nurturing, and supportive.
We’ve all been in a one-sided relationship that’s sucked the life out of us. Let your past relationships be a lesson as to the amount of effort required so that they motivate you instead of holding you back.
These tips will help you nurture the meaningful relationships in your life and foster joyful connections with others:
Open and honest communication
Whether you’re thinking of a romantic relationship or a friend, communication will ensure both of your needs are met and that your connections stay strong. In any relationship, communication allows both parties to share their interests and concerns, organize their lives and bring clarity to decision-making, support one another, and work together. Without a doubt, open communication and active listening are the key to a healthy relationship.
Prioritize quality time
This point is especially important if you work long hours or have a family. Scheduling a “date night” with your partner every couple of weeks will remind the two of you why you fell in love with each other in the beginning. It can be easy to put your relationship on the back burner when there is so much going on in your life: taking the kids to school and extracurricular activities, your social life, your job, your hobbies. Spending quality time with just your partner can help you both reconnect. It’s also important to spend one-on-one time with your close friends and family members as well, as they bring incomparable companionship.
Support each other’s goals
Your own goals are important — but the goals of your loved ones are just as important. Be encouraging and show interest, and always try to be each other’s biggest cheerleaders. Celebrating every win or step towards the end goal, no matter the size, is also something you should do in all of your relationships. Supporting the personal growth of your partner, friend, or family member will also bring you a sense of purpose.
Show your appreciation
Doesn’t it make you feel appreciated and loved when someone does something thoughtful for you? This is exactly why you should do the same and often remind others why you love them. Even though you’ll have to go out of your way, the smile on their face will be worth it. Send your partner a $10 gift card for a fancy morning coffee if they have a big day ahead of them. Take your friend out for a celebratory drink after they receive a promotion. Pick up your sister’s favorite chocolate bar, for no good reason, next time you’re cruising down the candy aisle at the grocery store. These little gestures make people feel appreciated.
Shared activities
Engaging in activities that the both of you enjoy can also strengthen your relationship. Think yoga classes, a sweaty hike, or even making a list of donut shops in the city to frequent by the end of the year. Oftentimes, we find ourselves spending a lot of time on our phones or watching television with those we love and feel comfortable around. But these activities don’t have much to add to any relationship.
Maintain independence
Being codependent on anyone isn’t healthy. Instead, you should strive for balanced relationships where both people have their own friendships, interests, and passions. To maintain independence, make sure you prioritize your own self-care, set boundaries, reflect on your own values, and discover new hobbies.
Regular check-ins
Quarterly reviews are done to keep people happy and thriving in the workplace, so why not do them in relationships? Schedule regular check-ins to discuss what’s working and what might not be working. Make sure that you use gentle language and offer a safe space for your partner or friend to communicate their honest feelings with you. This will ensure both parties feel valued.
Relationships are like plants. They can thrive on their own for a limited amount of time, but to keep them alive long-term, plants (and relationships) need to be nurtured with care and attention. Pouring continuous effort and thoughtful actions into your relationships will bring lasting joy to your life.
