Relationships as we know them have existed in our world from the beginning of time, and have evolved slowly taking into effect rapid societal changes. People get into relationships for different reasons; some may be personal, others may be for financial gains. In these modern times, one would be forgiven for getting confused about what, or even how successful, inter-personal romantic relationships work. Here are my points and ideas as to what makes a successful relationship.
Communication
This is one aspect of relationships that is mostly taken for granted. Given its importance, it is the third quality after mutual love and trust. The power of communication in any romantic relationship cannot be under-rated, neither can it be under-estimated. Both parties need to be on the same page about almost everything that pertains to the relationship. You cannot expect a relationship whereby especially a married couple sleep next to each other but the most they say to one another is "Good morning", "Goodnight", "I love you" and "Have a nice day dear/honey/baby/sweetheart"; and in the case of a family, only say more than the above to each other when talking to their kids. It just doesn't work that way! There needs to be more investment and emphatic effort by both partners put into communicating with each other.
Support each other's needs
Many relationships begin to deteriorate and wither away simply because either or both partners refuse to or don't do enough when it comes to caring for each other's needs; be it financial, emotional, sexual or even spiritual. In some cases, the cause of all this may be linked to a significant lack in the area of communication. Which goes to say that for this aspect to work, adequate communication is required
Compliments! Compliments! Compliments!
Like communication, the effect of compliments in any romantic relationship can never be under-estimated. They tend to make one feel loved and appreciated by his/her partner. One should always take the time and effort to throw a compliment to his or her partner from time to time, even for the smallest thing. But try not to exaggerate them, or you'll end up looking fake and sounding unoriginal. For the gentlemen, take time to notice and pin-point the smallest changes that your girl makes, for example if she changes her hairstyle, which is something that the ladies often complain about the men in their lives don't notice.
Spend time together
Couples should always strive to spend and enjoy time being next to each other. This goes hand in hand with sharing house chores for the married couples. On different occasions, couples should try and create time to go picnicking, to the movies or even to the park just the two of them. However mundane or cliche this may sound, it should be remembered that when it comes to love, it is the simplest of things that count the most. There is still an open option of finding more creative ways of enjoying each other's company, and in doing so let it be a way in which the bond between both partners becomes even stronger.
Well, these are my four points and ideas as to how to make any romantic relationship become successful. There may be others that I may have left out, but I leave it to you, dear reader to point out via your comments any other important point that has been left out.
