It is easy to be in a relationship but to maintain a relationship and also be happy in that relationship requires a set of skills.

1. Don’t take your partner for granted

When you are in a relationship it is important not to take each other for granted. Your partner decided to choose you amongst a pool of many other men or women.

Value your partner, don’t relax or mistreat them just because they are officially yours. Appreciate them and compliment them when it is due. Don’t take any of their efforts for granted, no matter how small the gesture is.

Also, don’t think that the grass is greener on the other side, love the person that you are with and put in the necessary effort to make relationship work. There are so many people who wish to go back to their exes but it is too late, because they took them for granted.

2. Practice good communication

Communicate with your partner more than you communicate with any other person. Don’t keep your frustrations to yourself and assume that your partner can read your mind, be open about what you want from the relationship.

Good communication entails correct timing, using the right words so that you get your point across without sounding offensive or inconsiderate. There are certain words that you just can’t use if you want a happy relationship, you need to filter out and refine some words.

3. Resolve conflicts timely

When you encounter conflicts in the relationship, learn to resolve them quickly, don’t let too much time pass by while you are still angry.

Timing is of the essence in a relationship because if you delay, a lot can go wrong. Opting to take a break should be a last resort and not the first option.

Learn to apologize when you have done wrong, don’t let pride ruin a good relationship. Sometimes, choose to be a peacemaker even if you are not the one who is wrong.  

Forget about an eye for an eye, choosing to be a fool can be the wisest thing you can do. Also know that it is not all battles that are worth fighting, certain battles you just have to let them slide.

4. Forgive

To err is human, to forgive is divine. There is no perfect human being, you are bound to disappoint each other at some point. Choose to forgive so that life can go on, without forgiveness, no relationship would ever last.

Should you give the relationship another chance?

5. Don’t compare your partner to your ex

Never ever compare your partner to your ex, because that is a complete turnoff. Accept that people are different and will do things differently. Know that your ex is an ex for a reason.

Also, be careful of passing on your insecurities to your partner because of your bad experience, trust issues can easily ruin a relationship.  

6. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on your partner

Don’t let the expectations of other people or social media put your relationship under pressure, do things at your own pace. Don’t put financial pressure on your partner if they cannot afford the things that you want.

7. Be careful whom you take advice from

If you are surrounded by people who are bitter and negative towards relationships, your relationship will suffer. They might advise you to leave your partner or do something that might anger your partner. Get wise counsel from people who will not be biased.

8. Learn and know your partner

Take time to know your partner, know what makes them happy and what ticks them off. Don’t only focus on them making you happy, see how you can also positively contribute in their life. Love should not be one-sided, you should both be givers.

9. Know that you can’t change a person

The sooner you realize that you have no power to change a fellow human being, the better. If there are certain habits or qualities that you can’t compromise on in a lover, rather choose to move on or tolerate them instead of constantly fighting over the same thing.

10. Support your partner

Support your partner’s vision and goals, be their greatest fan. Be there for each other when going through the good and bad. Support your partner both physically, emotionally, and financially. Create an environment where your partner feels free to spread their wings and reach greater heights, do not discourage or limit each other.

11. Be together but live different lives

Being in a relationship should not be your only project, you each need to have your own goals that you are pursuing. You still need to have a life outside of your relationship and have the opportunity to learn from other people.

12. Know when to let got

Lastly, it is important to pursue all these with someone who is on the same page as you. If they are not in love with you the relationship will still not work.

Tips on how to move on from someone that you still love