Love is one of the most mysterious and powerful emotions in the world. It can make people do extraordinary things they never thought possible, and it can overcome more than we thought possible. But love is also one of the most complex and challenging emotions to deal with. It takes work, dedication, and a lot of patience to make a long-term relationship work.
There are a lot of myths out there about long-term relationships. Some people believe that they’re always happy and perfect. Others think that they’re always full of drama and conflict. The truth is, long-term relationships are both of these things. They can be unique and beautiful, but they can also be difficult and challenging at times.
Here are seven myths about long-term relationships that you need to know about if you’re in one.
Myth #1: Happy Couples Don’t Argue
It’s a common belief that happy couples don’t argue. But the truth is, all couples argue. It’s normal and healthy to have disagreements with your partner because you are two different people, which means you’re not always going to see eye-to-eye on every issue. What matters is how you handle those disagreements. The key is to learn how to handle those arguments constructively.
For example, let’s say your partner does something that bothers you. Instead of getting angry and yelling at them, try to discuss it calmly. First, explain how their behaviour made you feel and why it bothered you. Then, listen to what they have to say. If you can both be open and honest with each other, you’ll be able to resolve your disagreements healthily.
So, even in a long-term relationship, you’re likely to still argue from time to time. But that doesn’t mean your relationship is doomed. It just means you’re both humans.
Myth #2: Your Partner Should Know How To Make You Happy
Many people believe that their partner should be able to make them happy all the time. But the truth is, nobody can make you happy all the time. Happiness is something that comes from within. Therefore, you are responsible for your happiness.
Of course, it’s great to have a partner who makes you feel good and supports you. But at the end of the day, you need to be able to make yourself happy. Otherwise, you’re going to be expecting something from your partner that isn’t quite possibly making you feel disappointed and resentful.
It’s also important to remember, that if you’re not communicating with your partner about what you need, it’s going to be hard for them to please you. For example, if you enjoy physical touch and want to hug your partner more frequently, tell them. If you need more compliments or words of affirmation, tell them that too. The key is to communicate with each other so that you can be on the same page and know how to care for each other properly.
Myth #3: Sex Will Become Boring As Time Passes
Over time, many people believe that the excitement and novelty of sex will fade away, particularly if they are in a committed, long-term relationship. However, that’s simply not true. In fact, for most couples, the love gets deeper, which creates more high-quality experiences between the two of you.
In most long-term relationships, partners work harder to keep sex interesting, even after years of being together. For example, they might:
- Experiment with new positions and activities. This can help to spice things up and keep both partners engaged.
- Prioritize sex more. When life gets busy, it’s easy to let sex fall by the wayside. However, by making an effort to schedule regular intimate time with your partner, you can help to keep the spark alive.
- Be more willing to communicate about their needs and desires. Good communication is essential for healthy sex life. By being open and honest with your partner, you can make sure that both of you are always satisfied. So don’t believe the myth that sex gets boring over time. With a little effort, you can keep the passion burning for a lifetime.
Myth #4: Love Should Be Easy
Many people believe that love should be easy. But the truth is, anything of great value takes work. Any long-term relationship is going to have its ups and downs. There will be times when you’re frustrated with each other and times when you are getting along. That’s normal.
The key is to put in the effort to make things work. For example, if you’re constantly fighting with your partner, try to take a step back and figure out why. Some great long-term relationship advice is to ask yourself some questions such as:
- Are you communicating clearly?
- Are you both making an effort to understand each other?
- Are you meeting each other’s needs?
- How are you each contributing to the argument?
Consider seeing a therapist or counsellor if you’re having trouble figuring things out on your own. They can help you to identify the root of your problems and find ways to resolve them.
Regardless, don’t believe the myth that love should be easy. Love is hard work at times. But it’s also incredibly rewarding.
Myth #5: You’ll Lose Yourself In A Relationship
Many people worry that they’ll lose themselves in a long-term relationship. They think that they’ll have to give up their hobbies and interests to make their partner happy. But that’s not true. It’s important to maintain your own identity in a relationship.
It’s perfectly normal for your partner to be a big part of your life. But they shouldn’t be your entire life. You need to make time for your friends, your hobbies, and yourself. Otherwise, you may end up feeling resentful.
Most long-term relationship advice will tell you that it’s important to find a balance. You should be able to spend time with your partner and also have time for yourself. That way, you can keep your relationship healthy and feel that you’re not getting lost in the process. It’s also important to communicate with your partner about this. Let them know that you value your independence and need some time to yourself now and then. As long as you’re both on the same page, you can have a healthy and balanced relationship.
Myth #6: You’ll Never Be Attracted To Anyone Else
Love is a complex emotion that needs to be fostered within the relationship. Yet, even with our best attempts to have a loving and passionate relationship the fact that we live in a highly sexualized world makes the temptation to ‘look over the fence’ real. It’s not uncommon to feel an attraction to the qualities or physical appearance that is in someone else. It’s what you do with those feelings that matter.
The important thing is to communicate about boundaries with your partner and create some safe guidelines together to protect you both and keep your relationship safe.
Here are a few questions you might like to ask:
What is and isn’t acceptable when working with or maintaining friendships with the opposite sex?
How can we back away when we feel uncomfortable with the opposite sex?
How can we safely let each other know when we are struggling?
What do we need to do to make our relationship passionate and fun?
Having these types of conversations will keep your long-term relationship honest and healthy.
Myth #7: Long-term Relationships Never Work Out
There’s a common belief that long-term relationships are doomed to fail. But that’s simply not true. A healthy long-term relationship, such as a marriage, is proven to be the safest place for couples to flourish emotionally, physically and spiritually, making it the perfect environment to raise a family in.
The key to making a long-term relationship work is to put in the effort. You need to communicate openly, make time for each other, and work through the tough times together. If you’re both willing to do that, then you will reap the reward of a rich and satisfying relationship.
The best long-term relationship advice is to simply never give up on each other. If you are truly committed to someone, then you’ll always find a way to make things work. Even if there are times when you need to get outside help, such as a counsellor, making that decision to fight for each other and put in the work to rebuild will strengthen your relationship in the end.
Conclusion
When it comes to long-term relationship advice, there are a lot of myths out there. But the truth is that long-term relationships provide the safety for you both to grow individually and together as a couple, allowing you to create the relationship you both desire.
If you need some inspiration on how to create more intimacy and connection in your long-term relationship, purchase The Marriage Playbook today. This is an interactive book that will give you simple and practical ways to create more love and connection in your relationship. Click here to purchase the Marriage Playbook Today.
