DeBunking 8 Common Myths About Healthy Relationships
What You Can Really Expect from Love
This time of the year brings an inundation of social media, reality tv relationships and rom-coms, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with advice on how to be successful at love.
We find ourselves believing things that can be untrue or only partially true, which impacts our relationships, health and satisfaction. To build stronger partnerships, let’s shed light on some of the most common myths about healthy relationships so that we don’t fall victim to them.
Relationship Myth #1: Relationships Should be Easy
Often, there’s a misconception that relationships should easily sail along without any problem. While having good communication is key to relationship success, difficulty and conflict will undoubtedly arise at times. The willingness and commitment to work through issues together is more important than trying not to have issues at all.
Relationship Myth #2: It’s Best to avoid Arguments / Fighting
This simply isn’t true — while it is important not to engage aggressively or let disagreements get out of hand, being able to successfully work through conflicts without becoming too emotional can actually help both partners better understand each other and lead to increased intimacy over time.
Relationship Myth #3: We should share everything with each other
It’s a common misconception that people must share every little detail about their lives with each other in order for their relationship to thrive. In reality, this isn’t necessary (and may even cause more problems if done too often!). Instead, people should focus on communicating openly about larger issues such as present goals and dreams for the future — by discussing these topics together they can work towards a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties involved.
Relationship Myth #4: If you understand each other, you will agree with each other.
Understanding is the ability to comprehend and make sense of something. Understanding involves being able to see things from another person’s perspective. Agreeing with someone is when you accept the opinion or belief of another person as your own. It may involve adopting the same views, values and opinions as another person, or simply expressing approval or support. As you can see it’s easy to see how these concepts are related but do not necessarily coincide.
Relationship Myth #5: If they love You, they will prioritize You.
Individuals may not be able to prioritize another even when they love each other. Conflicting schedules, different priorities, and a lack of communication all make it difficult to prioritize each other when there are other commitments such as work, family, or friends that take up a lot of time and energy. Try to understand your significant other’s priorities outside of the relationship without taking it personally.
Relationship Myth #6: You are better or smarter than your partner.
Every person is unique and has their own strengths and weaknesses. No one person is better than the other, and it is important to recognize and appreciate each other’s individual qualities. A healthy relationship is based on mutual respect, understanding, and support.
Relationship Myth #7 Chemistry = Compatibility
Chemistry is often thought of as the ‘spark’ between two people. This spark can be influenced by many things like physical attraction, pheromones, personality traits or communication styles.
While chemistry may be initially exciting to experience at first, compatibility is what keeps couples together in the long run because it’s built upon mutual respect (especially around differences) and trust rather than just temporary feelings or attractions that can fade away over time.
Relationship Myth #8 — You are doomed because you have different love languages
False: Most individuals in relationships have different love languages and preferences. Most importantly: for love to thrive (with individuals who have different love languages) you must learn to speak your partner’s love language in a way they want to receive it. Try to understand and respect each other’s love language as equally valuable and essential.
I hope this blog provided you with some useful tips on how to improve your relationships! Stay tuned for a special DIY Couples Date Night Coming Up Next!
Psychotherapy alleviates symptoms of emotional distress (such as anxiety or depression). As a holistic psychotherapist and a life coach, I use life coaching and psychology to help you be more intentional in your personal habits and relationships so you can evolve through obstacles and enhance fulfillment.
