Relationship Maintenance

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In order to keep a relationship going, couples must have deliberate steps to help them maintain it. Relationships need effort because the two people in the relationship are independent individuals, and hence they have many different characteristics that may at times, clash with their partner. For example, one partner may be quite messy and leave a room in disarray, while the other may be quite obsessive about order and neatness. To resolve such issues, couples must choose to consciously maintain their relationship through the good and bad times, both of which are inevitable.

There are several reasons why relationships require maintenance. The first is to ensure that the two people in the relationship maintain their bond. Without the conscious effort to keep the relationship going, they will drift apart and end the relationship. The second reason to maintain a relationship is to work through conflicts that the two people have (Priem 2019). Difficult times and conflict are a normal part of a relationship; thus couples must be prepared to work through them. Resolving conflicts in a way that leaves both parties satisfied is essential for the relationship to grow. The third reason why relationships require maintenance is to ensure stability. Each party in the relationships has certain expectations that they want to be met in the relationship. To maintain the relationship, the two must discuss their needs so that they are aware of each other’s expectations. Doing this will avoid a volatile environment where no one feels that their needs and expectations are met.

Couples can apply five strategies to maintain their relationship. The first strategy is openness (Priem 2019). Openness involves complete honesty between partners. This includes communicating how a person feels and thinks clearly with their partner. There should be no secrets between the two people; instead, they should strive to always talk honestly about what is going on in each other’s lives. In this way, no one gets blindsided by any strange information or events about their partner that they did not know about. The second strategy in relationship maintenance is positivity (Priem 2019). A positive person tries to be happy and see the positive side of things. While this may not always be possible, it is crucial to cultivate an atmosphere of positivity so that other people around you feel positive as well. Between partners, this is a vital strategy to help them enjoy each other’s company.

The third strategy of maintaining relationships is assurances. Assurances are encouraging and positive words and statements. They are most useful when one partner feels low or uncertain about an issue. They help the couple create positivity and clarity about the future of their relationship. The final two strategies of sharing tasks and keeping the same social networks (Priem 2019). Sharing tasks for example chores around the house as well as other tasks outside the home, make the partners feel valued and supported. Maintain social networks such as friends and family also helps maintain the relationship. For example, couples can go out or arrange visits with friends and family. Such actions are essential towards keeping the relationship healthy.

In conclusion, all relationships require effort to maintain. It is vital to recognize that individuals have different desires and characteristics, and sometimes they may clash with those of their partners. Partners must, therefore, be deliberate in how they address issues in their relationship. The five strategies used to maintain relationships are openness, positivity, assurances, sharing tasks, and social networks. When couples apply these five strategies in their relationship, it will help them grow as a couple and also as individuals. They will also be able o handle conflicts more effectively.

References

P. Jennifer. “Rethinking How We Maintain Our Relationships” Psychology Today. 5 February 2019. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stressing-communication/201902/rethinking-how-we-maintain-our-relationships