LONG-TERM INTIMATE RELATIONSHIPS

Aristotle stated that we, humans, are social animals. We have this sense of belongingness which is a basic need vital for our well-being. People seek belongingness from their family, friends, the social media and a significant other. This sense of belongingness enables us to have friendship, attraction then eventually love. Love can be passionate that is it is experienced as confusing feelings of euphoria or elation and anxiety or pain. It can also be companionate, a more affectionate relationship.

In many cultures, love is the basis of marriage but it is not so true with other countries which practice arranged marriage. Marriage is when a couple decided to make their relationship permanent and official. A bond is made that is generally though to last until death but is cut through divorce. A way to avoid getting on that hole of divorce is knowing the ingredients of a good marriage. Some of the secrets of marital happiness are kindred minds, social and sexual intimacy, and equitable giving and receiving of emotional and material resources. Authenticity is vital in a marriage. It is when you put first unappealing but honest thoughts than trying to make a good impression by concealing it. Genuineness in expressing and communicating both positive and negative feelings will evoke satisfaction in one’s marriage. Married couple should also not keep score of who owes one and learn to give unconditional love. Happy couples tend to agree, approve, assent, and laugh more. Positive interactions like smiling, touching, complimenting, laughing can be seen more in successful marriages.

Life is not all rainbows and butterflies. As Heraclitus stated, change is the only constant in life. Many things don’t last and one of those may be an intimate relationship. How can we say so that a relationship will not last? In a relationship, both must perceive equity. A relationship is like a bike, there has to be two wheels to be able to balance it out. If they contribute equally, then they would receive equal outcomes. If not done, one person may feel unfair. Criticism is good and can be an eye opener but problems will occur when it become so pervasive that it corrodes the relationship. Couples must be able to communicate their thoughts without trying to degrade the person being criticized. In order to maintain the relationship, the couple must keep the fire going. Coldness is one of the reasons why relationships end. Another thing is disillusionment. It is when one feels disappointed after discovering that something is not as good as one believed it to be. It is very true especially for those couples who treat their partners as near-perfect.

Life is not all rainbows and butterflies. As Heraclitus stated, change is the only constant in life. Many things don’t last and one of those may be an intimate relationship. How can we say so that a relationship will not last? In a relationship, both must perceive equity. A relationship is like a bike, there has to be two wheels to be able to balance it out. If they contribute equally, then they would receive equal outcomes. If not done, one person may feel unfair. Criticism is good and can be an eye opener but problems will occur when it become so pervasive that it corrodes the relationship. Couples must be able to communicate their thoughts without trying to degrade the person being criticized. In order to maintain the relationship, the couple must keep the fire going. Coldness is one of the reasons why relationships end. Another thing is disillusionment. It is when one feels disappointed after discovering that something is not as good as one believed it to be. It is very true especially for those couples who treat their partners as near-perfect.

Life is not all rainbows and butterflies. As Heraclitus stated, change is the only constant in life. Many things don’t last and one of those may be an intimate relationship. How can we say so that a relationship will not last? In a relationship, both must perceive equity. A relationship is like a bike, there has to be two wheels to be able to balance it out. If they contribute equally, then they would receive equal outcomes. If not done, one person may feel unfair. Criticism is good and can be an eye opener but problems will occur when it become so pervasive that it corrodes the relationship. Couples must be able to communicate their thoughts without trying to degrade the person being criticized. In order to maintain the relationship, the couple must keep the fire going. Coldness is one of the reasons why relationships end. Another thing is disillusionment. It is when one feels disappointed after discovering that something is not as good as one believed it to be. It is very true especially for those couples who treat their partners as near-perfect.