Things to Normalize about Relationships

Misconceptions about Relationships

There are so many misconceptions about healthy long term relationships.

Your relationship may not look like a Hollywood romance but still float your boat.

1.  Doubts & Disappointments

Authentic love doesn’t always feel like a constant state of joy; this is not sustainable over time and disappointment is a natural process all relationships face.  Allow space for disappointment without losing faith in your relationship.

2.  Changes in Sexual Desire

A natural decline in desire is normal and sexual intimacy won’t always be exciting.  However, it’s important to prioritize intimacy and use supportive language to connect and maintain a sense of aliveness in the relationship.

3.  Bad Days

Bad days are part of the natural ebb and flow of life, let alone in any healthy relationship.  This doesn’t mean you have a bad relationship, it simply is a call for greater compassion for your partner.

4.  Courageous Conversations

Difficult conversations shouldn’t be avoided.  Instead, try to normalize them by creating a safe space to communicate your needs and desires.  To avoid building resentment, it’s best to address underlying issues with compassion.

5.  Unresolved Conflict

All healthy relationships have a certain level of unresolved conflict.  Lean into this discomfort and prioritize what’s most meaningful to address.  Learn to accept the small stuff while also continuing to negotiate your disparate needs.

6.  Disparate Intimacy Needs

We all have different needs in the realms of love, sex, affection, validation, and how we would like to spend time together.  Honoring differences in relationships creates greater space for love and safety.

7.  Alone Time

Respecting each other’s space & boundaries is necessary for healthy relationships.  Honor needs for alone time, separate time with loved ones, along with needs for connectedness and renewed intimacy.

8.  Losing a Sense of Self

In all healthy relationships compromise is required, sometimes giving up individual needs for relationship needs.  This can simply be the natural process of growing and sharing a life together.

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