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Handling Differences In Relationships

© by Photo courtesy of Pixabay

The tips below are not hard. They are just ideas that are going to help you think outside the box when it comes to handling common difficulties in a relationship. These tips will go a long way in helping you with your relationship.

  1. Reminding yourself what it is you love about your partner. What made you attracted to them in the first place.

People usually don’t choose a partner who is like them, which means there is a good chance you have different styles and routines. The difference you have is not a sign of any mistake. Harville Hendrix, a well-known author who has written many books for couples, says the hardest part for most people is getting to know each other (this is because people put on their best faces during the start of the relationship). 

We start becoming critical when we start seeing some of the less positive aspects. People start worrying that they may have made the mistake because they didn’t really know the person they are with. This is not the reality in most cases. You just didn’t know everything about your partner. When you remind yourself about the good things, the things you like, the things you love, about your partner, it makes it easier to see them as a real person. Think about the positive things then put them into words – say the words out loud to your partner. You might be surprised to find that they are happy to return the favor and tell you what it is they love about you.

You might end up developing new interests as a result of this.

  1. Knowing you are not alone

This by itself is going to make things better, but keep in mind that conflicts over sports don’t mean that the relationship or unworkable or untenable. In 2011, over 200 million people watched the regular college football season, according to ESPN. Last year, 59% of Americans watched professional football, according to a Harris Poll. Add this to baseball, wrestling, golf, basketball (pro and college). Make things a little interesting with sports handicapper. Sports can even develop relationships. There is a good portion of viewers who have family conflicts when it comes to how much they watch.

  1. Recognizing that conflicts are part of a relationship

A little conflict can be good for a relationship. The big deal is not being in a conflict with your partner, but how you manage your difference. This is going to determine whether your relationship survives or not. There will always be differences in your relationship, but the important thing to keep in mind is managing it properly.

  1. Respecting their interest, and respectfully requesting they do the same for you

If your partner doesn’t enjoy sports, and you enjoy them, they can be happy just being there with you as you watch. The most important thing is spending time with your partner because it creates great memories. There is a good chance your dad liked sports but your mom didn’t. This was the case for me, and I spent that time reading a book. You can choose to read a book, use your computer, or work as your partner watches the game. Your partner would wish you were interested in those games, but they accept that is not going to happen after some time.

This way, your partner is going to respect the fact that you are doing something they are not interested in. If you love watching chick-flick movies, your partner might hold back on teasing you or making a joke when you are laughing or crying because they know you extend the same courtesy to them as they watch their game or wrestling match.

  1. Find good things to do together

There is a good chance you have different hobbies and interests with your partner, but it is important to find some things you can do together as a couple. There are many activities you can do with your partner and you are going to enjoy every second of it. It is a good idea to find spaces in your togetherness. You should find times for being together and doing something you enjoy because it keeps things in balance. This doesn’t have to be anything complicated or tiring. It can mean going out for football or basketball games with your partner, sitting with your partner as they watch their favorite show or game, and accompanying you when you go for your dance practice. Your partner’s presence even if it means being there to hold the camera is going to mean a lot. There is always negotiation in any relationship. Going out for games might not be that enjoyable to you, but it becomes great when friends join in before or after the game. You are most likely going to find something you enjoy together. Create great memories by doing this.

The longer you are with your partner, the more you learn about them and what you enjoy doing together. You might both like music, but different genres. As you spend time together exploring your love of music, you might end up finding something that you both enjoy. This adds to the quality time you spend together. This way, you can search for new music together, attend concerts, and search out for great musicians. If you are both readers, try finding authors you both enjoy reading. This means you will have someone to talk to about the book you are reading. You need to know that you may have different tastes, and it is important to be respectful. Take the time to find what you both enjoy doing, and you will have a list of things to do together in no time.

These tips are going to help you with your relationship.