Why Relationships FailThe most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say or what we do, but what we are. - Stephen R. Covey
Why do relationships fail? You felt amazing when you first fell in love? Is it possible to keep that spark? Or will love disappear or fade over the long haul? Relationships change over time, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Yet, over 50% of marriages end in divorce. Other relationships don't only last, but even better. What are the secrets of their success? All of us start out with such good intentions. So, why do relationships fail? The topic for the month: Why do relationships fail? Intro Be Patient Expectations Togetherness Respect Surrender Diplomacy Humor Communication Romance Money Q & A Next Month:
Over 50% of marriages end in divorce and who knows how many of these relationships are actually happy. So what happens? When we all start out with good intentions, why do relationships fail? Here are some tips to help you build a rock-solid foundation, and if your relationship is crumbling, these tips will help you rebuild and strengthen it: Be Patient If your partner has a meltdown or says something hurtful, bite your tongue and say nothing -- but don’t brood. Ask yourself if it is a recurring problem and what you both can do to prevent it. Do you feel your partner doesn’t understand you? Talk about it, when you’re both calm you can resolve it. Expectations Don’t depend on your partner to make your life complete. This is not healthy. It's
codependency
Togetherness So she’s a golfer and you like hockey. Surely there are also activities that appeal to you both. You do not have to share every interest. This is especially important as the two of you navigate from courtship to parenting to middle age to seniority. Respect People have emotional and chemical differences. Don't feel threatened if you don’t agree on everything. You can enrich each others lives and expand your horizons with your differences. Don’t pressure, nag or be judgmental or demanding.
This can be abusive
Diplomacy Being brutally honest can be hurtful.Be honest, but tactful. Ex. If she says, ‘Does this dress make me look fat?’ Consider your answer carefully. You can say – I’m not too keen on that dress or if you want my opinion, I like the blue one better. If she’s insistent about wearing the dress, don’t argue. She likes the dress? Let it go. Humor. Nothing lightens an ugly mood or a tense situation like laughter. You can always find ‘light at the end of a tunnel’. Humor and irony puts fun into your days and help you to endure in difficult times. Communication. The take-home advice is that couples should talk it out. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. The tendency is that men say too little; women, too much. The key is for both of you to listen, as well as expressing your opinion –
but no enabling
Money: Do you have the same financial goals and strategies? If you are frugal and your partner is a spender, you must discuss your joint obligations. Don’t wait until the credit-card bills become the third person in the room – discuss finances and make a joint plan. You can also discuss this with an adviser. So why do relationships fail? If you expect that the spark of the honeymoon period will be lasting you may be addicted to the high of a new relationship – and you’re not being realistic. Relationships change over time. The spark of the honeymoon period is just the beginning. A good relationship evolves over time, but like anything else that's worth doing, you have to be willing to work at it. Q & A Q I have lived with my boyfriend and his children and for two years now. He is recently a recovering alcoholic He recently went on a one week trip with a group of recovering alcoholics. It was hard for me but I dealt with it...it's like some secret group in his life that I'm not allowed to know about. Now, we have no friends and are secluded from everything social because he isn't drinking and they are all drinkers. My girlfriends don't invite me to do anything with them and I go months without talking to them. I have told my boyfriend many times that we need to find non-drinking new friends but I don't think he realizes that this has affected my life too. I don't know where I would find new friends. We are not religious but live in the bible belt. Here, it seems you either party or spend all your time in church. I feel so isolated and lonely. We seem to be stuck in a lull that doesn't bother him but leaves a very lonely life for me. Any ideas?
A
When you are in recovery and go to meetings, you form close bonds with others who have a shared history and the members become a safe group. There are also weekend retreats and conferences, and other social events for members. Your boyfriend is developing a new community of non-drinking friends, but this ends up being a lonely life for you. Keep encouraging him in his sobriety, however it's important for you to also have a network of friends. I encourage you to go to Al-anon meetings in your area. You'll find that there are many family members of recovering alcoholic/addicts who are going through similar problems. You might develop couple and family friends there. Joining interest groups or courses is another way to develop another new friends. You don't have to be a church member, to participate in what these groups offer. However, you'll have to avoid the members who pressure you further. It seems that your friends have an issue with your boyfriend's sobriety. However, with time, he may not have to avoid them. He'll still have to socialize without drinking but, when you build a new network or couples and friends, the old ones may not be the best choice in the long run. I hope this information is helpful. Bev
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