Relationships: 10 rules to love by
Learning how to be in a relationship can have its challenges. Here are some rules to love by that have guided many couples to bliss and beyond.
When someone you love hurts you, never hurt back. Instead, let your partner know that your feelings have been hurt and that your partner needs to offer an immediate apology. Your love life will be better for it.
Minimize the drama in your life. Not every little thing is worth getting upset over. When you put all of your emotional energy into other things, you won't have any left over for the one you love. Keep small matters in perspective.
If you make a mistake, fess up. We all do and say dumb things; it's just being human. Accept that neither you nor your partner will be perfect. By not taking each other's mistakes personally, you will lower the tension level in your relationship.
If your love life has slowed down, talk about it and see how each of you feels. It's fine if you are both OK with it, but if one of you needs more physical attention, you should address it. Your partner could be feeling lonely and resentful, which will keep you from being as close.
Spend an evening on the couch just cuddling. You can put on some music, but don't sit and watch a movie. Just stay wrapped up in each other's arms and enjoy the closeness. For many people, cuddling is just as intimate as making love.
Value the good times — and one another. When you do this, it's much harder for difficult moments and little daily problems to bring you down. When you have a strong bond, traffic jams can be laughed off rather than cause you to stew.
Accepting that you are each trying your best, regardless of the task, actually increases your love for each other. Feeling accepted by your mate is life-enhancing and gives you the strength you need to tackle new or difficult issues.
