When You’re the Couple Who’s Been Together Forever But Aren’t Married

Are you in a relationship that just doesn’t seem to lead anywhere? You have tried all you could to get your partner to take the next step, but it’s not just working? Come on board as we take you through this thoughtful exposure.  

It will help you on how to make your relationship to the next level even after living together for many years.

Relationship articles always never lack readership. You probably have read many articles suggesting the best solution to relationships or marital problems. 

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The truth is that not many of them capture the exact picture of what marriage entails. This is why sharing lessons from personal experience is often the best way to understand issues about relationships and marriage. 

Have you discovered that a lot of articles always give the idea that relationships and marriage are still a bed of roses? They make you think that you don’t even need to do much to make things work. Seeing a couple laugh and chat together at the park may look like they are always as happy. Few people are honest enough to let the public know how their marriages look like from the inside. 

You don’t even need anyone to tell you the exact content of most relationships and marriages. The rate of divorce is a reliable indicator that looks can be deceiving.  What most people don’t understand is that you need to work hard to make things work out between you and your partner. 

Don’t Be Scared to Compromise

One of the reasons why your partner may be complacent about moving your relationship to the next level is because he or she doesn’t see you making the right compromise that would push your love away from its current stage.

Sometimes, most people do not picture themselves committing long-term to their partner because they are scared of what commitment would do to them. How do you act in a relationship? What’s your compromise level? Are you willing to let things go just to show your partner that you are in for the long haul? 

 A good relationship is one where couples find the time to give to and receive from each other. Your love life will experience setbacks if you are selfish or too proud to receive from your partner. When the other person discovers that you don’t make any sacrifices, it may spell doom for your relationship or marriage. 

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The idea that the love between partners is strong enough to pull them through every challenge is a myth. Don’t go with the mind that your partner will always do what you ask because of the steadfast love between both of you. No two persons, no matter how long they have lived together, are wired the same ways. So, always remember that the other person has needs which must be met and opinions that should be respected. 

Learn to Communicate

Poor Communication of one of the major problems of most stagnant relationships. When you do not communicate effectively with your partner, it’s is possible that both of you will remain in a circle and not progress. 

Thus, it’s increasingly essential you iron out things about your relationship with your partner verbally. Verbal Communication is paramount if you hope to move unto the next level.

Without proper Communication, it will be difficult to figure the intentions of your partner towards you. Most people may not buy the idea of marriage, and if you don’t come to a clear decision about the future of your relationship, you may be deceived into thinking your partner wants to settle down when all he wants is companionship without commitment.

 You have heard counselors speak of the importance of communication between couples. In fact, how long your relationship will last is dependent on the quality and duration of your Communication. 

Create time to share and communicate your needs to your partner to keep the relationship going well. Lack of adequate communication with your spouse will create a widening gap between both of you and can smother the relationship in its crib. 

For some people, the only time they have to tell their spouse how bad they feel about something is during quarrels. This is not the best time to do such things since both of you will be shouting at each other with none of you willing to listen. Each time your spouse does something you don’t like, look for the right time and present your opinion carefully and respectfully. 

Pick Your Fights Carefully 

Living with someone who is both emotionally and mentally different from you can be as challenging as it is exciting. Even though there are great things to enjoy, you should get set for arguments that span from little stuff to severe matters. 

At that point, the burden of living with someone different from you weighs heavily on your shoulders. It is left for you to pick the arguments you know are really essential and overlook the ones that are not. 

For instance, it would be ridiculous to fight over who spilled your skin oil or who misused the toothpaste tube. Some couples can have a big fight over such inconsequential things as a bath soap or hair comb. You don’t have to waste your time or energy on trivial matters which may even cause your relationship or marriage to tumble down the cliff. Important issues, such as finances, the next career path, and kids should take priority. 

Always Bare Your Feelings

The excitement of being in a relationship can make even the most serious-minded person go crazy with love in the beginning. You find yourself making promises and compromises just to make your partner happy. 

You forget your own needs while you think that you are doing your best to make the relationship or marriage work. But the truth is that it is not in your best interest to put behind your own needs in pursuit of the other person’s needs. Sooner or later, you will discover that you lose and the other person loses too. 

Find a way to tell your spouse your dreams and aspirations and let them decide if they can run with it. There is nothing wrong in making compromises where possible, but you get it wrong if you completely abandon your own life. 

Before you get serious with your relationship, sit with your partner and respectfully express your mind. People often recognize when one is telling the truth, and your spouse can be your most reliable support if you let them know what you have planned out for your life.

Love Honestly 

You and your partner may have different concerns and interests, but the one thing you should have in common is trust and honesty. Since essential relationships are often long-term, you want someone; you can always rely on upon without fear or doubts. 

When you are in a relationship, your spouse is the closest person in the world to you. A little dishonesty here and there, when not handled carefully, can cause setbacks to the relationship. 

There is hardly anyone who doesn’t tell one white lie or another to keep things moving. If you found out that your spouse lied to you about their profession or their interest in having kids, it is in the best interest of the relationship or marriage that a case like this is handled with care and then turn your focus on essential things. 

 Healthy relationships make the world a better place, refresh the mind, and enrich life in ways you can never imagine. But you need to consciously nurture and feed it with the entire ingredient that it needs to grow and blossom. 

Strong and lasting relationships are something to cherish and protect with everything you got. Study your partner so well that you can anticipate what they will say or do next. This way, you avoid some of the unnecessary arguments and fights that bring promising marriages to an abrupt end.

Once you get married to the love of your life, you enter a new world, a place you learn some of the valuable lessons in life. The fun and thrill of having a mate do not makeup everything about marriage. What makes a marriage work out fine is the level of commitment by each partner. The quality of your Communication, level of trust and honesty and respect for each other, unconditional love and care are some of the essential ingredients to a beautiful and enjoyable relationship or marriage. 

Bottom Line

It’s almost impossible to predict the future with your partner, but they are crucial steps you must take to help you get through the critical stages of your relationship and usher you into marriage. 

These tips come from personal experience, and you are sure to have improved relationship if you follow them. Go all the way with your spouse and let the two of you build your life together as you enjoy the fun of learning more about each other and the thrills of contributing to a healthy and lasting relationship.