10 Lessons of Love for Lasting Relationships

Love is one of the essential things in life, yet it's also fleeting.

Look at any relationship, both romantic and platonic.

You'll see that there are stages to how that relationship progresses from day one to the end, and there are many lessons to be learned about love along the way.

In this article, we'll go over ten crucial lessons about love that will help your relationships be more lasting and stable to have more love in your life!

Falling in love

When you think that you are falling in love with someone, or they are falling in love with you, try to talk about how it makes you feel.

Are there specific things that your partner does or says that make them attractive to you?

Is there a particular personality trait?

No two people are exactly alike, and while many factors affect attraction, having similar interests and hobbies can help.

Also, realize it is perfectly normal not to know what's going on!

Some people mistakenly believe when they fall in love with someone, it will last forever; instead of getting hung up on the one, have fun and enjoy new relationships as they come your way.

We all find ourselves attracted to different types of people and personalities in life, so take what comes along without passing judgment on yourself.

Stay connected

Make time to speak with your partner daily.

A chat about something other than work, family, or finances can help you reconnect with each other.

If a couple hasn't been able to take time away from everyday life for a few years, it's easy to let what used to be necessary fade into insignificance.

Instead, put regular face-to-face time at or near the top of your priority list. The small stuff does matter in a lasting relationship.

It's easier not to get on each other's nerves when you know how much you like and respect each other.

Protect your relationship

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of simple things you can do in your daily lives to make your relationship stronger.

However, there are two I want to bring attention to that have been shown repeatedly to be extremely powerful in maintaining and increasing relationship satisfaction: Caregiving and generosity.

Caring behaviors are an important part of healthy relationships that are often undervalued and taken for granted.

For instance, little acts such as helping with chores or offering a shoulder rub or foot massage can go a long way toward fostering feelings of security and love within a romantic relationship.

Studies show that couples who express generous behavior toward one another feel closer and more committed than those who don't engage in acts of kindness toward their partner.

Enjoy each other's company

To have a lasting relationship, you and your partner need to enjoy each other's company.

If you don't like spending time with each other, it will be hard to keep things going over time.

Couples who truly love each other do more than tolerate one another; they want to be around each other because they enjoy their company.

Of course, some couples grow apart over time, and that's OK; there is a difference between being in love and growing apart after a while.

But there are times when people stay together simply because they're afraid of being alone or afraid it will cause more problems than it solves.

The best relationships are those where both people want to be with one another even when it is hard.

Learn together

It may seem like common sense, but learning together is one of those things that can easily slip your mind.

After all, it's easier to keep playing video games with your friends than it is to read a book about relationships together.

But if you're committed to making your relationship last forever, spending time together learning about each other and new ideas will help make that happen.

Here are a few books we recommend. And here are some classes you can take (that don't involve sitting in front of a computer).

Don't forget: it takes time! If you're serious about building a lasting relationship, remember that great relationships aren't built overnight; they develop over time as you share experiences and find ways to understand each other better.

Laugh often, even when you don't want to

One way to build a lasting relationship is to keep things light and maintain a good sense of humor.

Find simple ways to find humor in your daily life with your partner; even in stressful situations, laughing together can help you de-stress and connect. If one or both partners are chronically negative people, laughter will be more challenging.

And if your partner isn't very funny, don't worry—you still have options. Watch comic movies together; set up a stand-up comedy channel on Netflix or Hulu and force yourselves to watch an episode once a week.

Have children if you want them

If you and your partner want children, it's best to plan on having them sooner rather than later.

Even if you're younger when you start a family, remember that every year past 35 is about a 10% decrease in fertility; conversely, as you get older and even after age 40, you can still have healthy children.

The key is to try as soon as possible.

Don't put off having kids if that's what you want!

If children aren't in your future, there are ways to give yourself a child-free life without being childless.

One option is to be an aunt or uncle, and another is to foster children who need a stable home environment.

If a partner betrays you, forgive. And then move on

If your partner betrays you—by cheating, lying, being emotionally distant, or whatever—it can be hard to see past that betrayal.

You're hurt and angry, and as a result, it might feel like you've lost trust in your partner for good.

But forgiveness is ultimately about love: It means seeing someone who has made a mistake not as a monster but as a human deserving of compassion. (It also makes things better in the long run!)

So don't just forgive your partner; make an effort to empathize with them.

That doesn't mean that what they did was OK; it just means putting yourself in their shoes and trying to understand why they would do something hurtful.

A close relationship takes effort and energy. Invest it wisely

It's always fun to try something new, even if it's just going to a different restaurant or seeing a movie you usually wouldn't watch.

The sense of discovery is refreshing and allows you to learn more about each other while doing something together.

If your partner isn't interested in any new activities, suggest one they are interested in but haven't had time to try yet.

Your shared interest will bring you closer, helping strengthen your relationship long-term.

Plus, you may discover that they have new passions they can introduce into your life!

You might be pleasantly surprised by what you find out about yourself.

Try new things together

The next time you're in a relationship, don't rely on your old habits to keep things exciting.

Instead, try new things together—you might be surprised by how much more fun things are when you do them for the first time with someone else.

This can be as simple as watching a movie or going out to eat.

Both activities will allow you to explore each other's likes and dislikes and give you insight into what makes your partner tick.

If any topics come up throughout the interactions that bother either of you, use it as an opportunity to learn more about each other and build trust between one another.