Unfortunately, The Beatles were wrong, because you need a lot more than love to sustain a successful relationship. Some couples don’t place enough emphasis on their sex life or on date nights (AKA spending quality time together), and it causes their downfall. That’s why it’s important for you to divide your attention between different aspects of your relationship. After all, there are some things that are just as important as love if you two want to last.
- Timing. Age doesn’t matter, but timing does. You could meet the love of your life a year too early, before they’re ready for a serious relationship. Or you could meet them a year too late, once they’re already married and unable to let you into their life without cheating.
- Chemistry. When your partner talks to you, the conversations should flow smoothly. The silences should be comfortable. Every touch should feel special. When you have chemistry with someone, it’ll make your relationship easier, because the basic things won’t feel like work.
- Trust. If you imagine your man sleeping with his secretary whenever he leaves for the office, your relationship won’t last long. You need to convince yourself that he would never do anything to hurt you. If you think that he’d consider cheating, then you should end the relationship before your fears become a reality.
- Honesty. You don’t have to tell him how much you hate his new haircut. However, you should tell him the truth about where you see your relationship heading, about what you think of his friends, and about how often you’re willing to cook for him. Never base your relationship on lies.
- Loyalty. There’s more to loyalty than remaining faithful to your partner. You should also choose his side when he starts a fight with your mother and support him when he decides to quit his job to find another. If you love him, you’ll stick by him, no matter what.
- Patience. You shouldn’t throw a fit if it takes him weeks to learn how to fold towels the right way. You shouldn’t freak out if it takes him years to propose to you, either. If you have faith in him, then you’ll be patient with him, because you’ll know he’ll make the right move eventually.
- Fun. You need to date someone you can let loose with. If you take life too seriously, then you’re never going to be happy. That’s why it’s important for you and your partner to joke around, make each other laugh, and just enjoy each other’s company.
- Equality. In order to make your relationship work, you need to remember that you aren’t superior or inferior to your partner. You’re equals, which is why you’re called “partners.” That means you should divide your responsibilities evenly and treat each other the way you’d want to be treated.
- Romance. Life isn’t like the movies. You won’t be going out on elaborate dates every weekend, but you should do little things to keep the romance alive. Buy your man an impromptu gift in the middle of the year or cook him a surprise meal when he gets home from work. If the romance dies, so will the relationship.
- Effort. Relationships take work. You both need to put in effort to keep things running smoothly if you want the relationship to last. Otherwise, a breakup will be on the horizon.
