Affective Psychology: 12 Truths About Relationship Happiness

It is much easier to complicate a relationship than to make it work properly. Here are some truths about the relationship that we could take into account …

1. Any successful relationship requires effort from both partners.

A relationship does not last alone. It is harmonious only when you and your life partner take the risk of sharing your most hidden thoughts and feelings. Open communication and sincerity are the keys to a happy and successful relationship!

2. In a relationship you receive what you give.

If you need a lot of love, give a lot of love. If you want to be understood, try to be more understanding. If you want to feel that your life partner is your best friend, be more friendly. This opening method is a simple exercise that pays off every time it is implemented.

3. You should not fight for a "place" in someone's life.

You should never try to force someone to make a "place" in your life because if they want to be a part of it and know they deserve it, they will create one for you.

4. Every person we meet has a unique and well-defined purpose in our life.

Some people will put our patience to the test, some will use us, others will teach us life lessons, but most importantly, a certain person in our life will reveal all that is best in us. We must learn to observe and accept the differences between people and move on in life without judging.

5. Everyone changes. We must not perceive change as a bad thing.

Over time, our needs change. When a person tells us that we have changed, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It just means that we have stopped living our lives the way we do. We must not apologize for this but remain open and sincere, explain what we feel, and do only what our heart dictates is right.

6. We are the only ones who can control our happiness.

If the relationship with your person does not work properly, do not expect things to be different in any other relationship with a loved one. No one else in this world can dictate your happiness because it is something you have to discover on your own, Happiness must be created before it can be shared with a person.

If you feel that your life partner is preventing you from exploring happiness, think twice and try to see what you lack. The loved one cannot complete you because you are already a "whole". The feeling of emptiness only appears when you don't know yourself well enough and you don't realize what you want from life.

7. Forgive anyone in your life for minor or major mistakes.

To forgive is not just to admit that you are not affected by what a person has done or said to you, but not to let that interfere with the happiness in your life.

Forgiveness is the answer to many questions that plague us daily and do not even ask us to erase the past or forget what happened to us. Forgiveness means getting rid of resentment and pain and choosing to learn from hardship an important lesson for life.

8. You can't change any person in your life, only she can change (alone).

Instead of trying to change those around you, give them moral support or role models. It is wrong to hope that a loved one will change their behavior. However, if you feel that the person needs to make a change, be honest with them and expose the negative parts of the problem (to know what to do or how to behave in the future).

9. Quarrels are a waste of time.

The less time you spend arguing with someone who hurts you, the more time you will have to spend with someone you love. If you happen to be arguing with the person you love, don't let anger get the better of you. Calm down and discuss the issues in a pleasant tone.

10. In life, you are better off without certain people.

When you realize that you are making too many compromises or violating certain moral principles for a person, it is probably time to move on without them. If someone misbehaves with you or "pushes" you in the wrong direction, keep your self-esteem and walk away from him. Although it will hurt at first, in the long run, you will notice that it is better for you.

11. Small gestures of kindness can make a big difference in your life.

Honor any relationship (of any kind) in which you are involved every time you have the opportunity! Every day you can sweeten the interaction with a loved one through small gestures that reveal the appreciation or affection you have for him. Kindness and gratitude make the difference!

12. Even a successful relationship cannot last indefinitely.

People are ephemeral beings. Appreciate what you have, the person who loves you, and your true friends because you never know when the day will come when you will no longer have them with you. Remember, just because something doesn't last forever doesn't mean it wasn't worth your time or love.