Our relationship experts have tons of useful and free advice on numerous topics to help both of you on your journey of growing together. Whether you're looking to keep a new romantic relationship strong or repair a relationship that's in shambles, these tips can help you feel loved and connected to your partner. For more general relationship advice, you might consider reviewing trusted online sources, consulting with friends or loved ones, or connecting with people you trust who are more experienced in maintaining healthy relationships. A common piece of advice that is often extremely useful is to focus on improving communication in relationships. Good relationship advice will vary from person to person, but there are some common topics that may be useful.
Honestly, I sometimes struggle to find someone who feels like giving me unbiased relationship advice. But if your relationship is just beginning or if you've been together for years, there are steps you can take to build a healthy relationship. Part of what defines a healthy relationship is sharing a common goal about exactly what you want the relationship to be and where you want it to go. If you're concerned that your relationship isn't healthy, you may consider contacting Love is Respect, a national resource that promotes healthy relationships between teens and young adults through education, support, and resources. In discernment therapy, a therapist will listen to your concerns and those of your partner about the relationship, help you evaluate your goals, and help you make a mutual decision about whether or not to continue the relationship.
Just as causing pain to the muscles allows them to get stronger again, introducing some pain into the relationship through vulnerability strengthens the relationship. When I got married almost three years ago, at the wedding reception I asked some of the older and wiser people who attended to give me some advice about their own relationships to make sure my wife and I didn't shit in (the same) bed. You may find that relationship problems can be solved or that your partner is not interested in continuing the relationship. According to the advice of many relationship experts, beginning statements with the word “you” can sound accusatory and blaming and can cause the other person to become defensive, which is generally not a recipe for a productive resolution of conflicts.
