Love is in the air. People finding themselves in a new relationship are asking themselves, “How can I make this last?”  

I’ve been in a relationship with my boyfriend Jo for the past three years and we’ve lived together since the day we met. While I don’t recommend that for everyone, I do have other pointers for nurturing a healthy relationship. 

The most important piece of dating advice that I can give might sound cheesy, but be okay with being single. You are the most important relationship you’ll ever have. It’s important to spend time with yourself learning what you want out of life and what makes you happy. 

If you can make yourself happy you’ll weed out potential bad future relationships just because you’ll already have a standard of how you want to be treated.

Treating your partner well is also important to have a lasting relationship. Communication is everything. Security in a relationship comes from understanding your partner’s viewpoint. If either person neglects sharing their thoughts and plans with the other it can very easily create an environment of distrust. 

Know your partner’s love language as well as your own so that you can show them love in a way that makes sense to them and let them know how to love you. Gift giving doesn’t have to be a Chanel bag or a PlayStation 5. It can be as simple as daisies picked off the side of the road or bringing home a piece of chocolate cake after lunch with your friends. 

Give words of affirmation. Tell your partner when you think their hair looks nice, send a quick “I believe in you!” text whenever they’re headed out to take the test they stayed up all night studying for, or just a simple “I love you”.

If your partner’s love language is an act of service, go ahead and fill up their water bottle or do the dishes sitting in their sink. Sometimes love is just taking one small thing off your partner’s plate for them. 

Physical touch doesn’t always have to be sexual. People who enjoy physical touch often just want to hold hands while walking through a parking lot, enjoy a head scratch when they take their hair down or just want to cuddle after a long day. 

You don’t have to plan elaborate dates or spend any money at all. You just have to hang out with your significant other and pay attention to them. 

Date someone who is your best friend. Someone who makes grocery shopping fun, someone who even when you’re annoyed at them you still like them and someone who makes you feel safe. A healthy relationship doesn’t come without its struggles, but love shouldn’t be an uphill battle. 

Categories: Life