Conversations Every Healthy Couple Should Be Able To Have
When you first start to date someone, it can seem like you talk about anything and everything. Whether you’re out on a date or texting at one o’clock in the morning, the conversation never really seems to end, with you continuing to tell your stories and ask your questions for hours and hours. Unfortunately, there are some things you’ll need to discuss that aren’t as fun to talk about and won’t come out so easily. However, as difficult as these conversations may be, they’re vital for a healthy and open relationship. Here are nine things that you should discuss with your partner.
1. Each Other’s Hopes And Dreams
Your life doesn’t and shouldn’t stop simply because you have a new partner. You had hopes and dreams that you wanted to achieve before you got together and you should still have them now. Of course, your goals may not line up completely with those of your new partner, but that is completely fine. More often than not, there are ways to compromise and both get what you want. Talking about these earlier gives you the chance to figure out and resolve any potential issues.
2. Feelings About Their Family
In an ideal world, we would all get along with the friends and family of those we love. However, we don’t live in an ideal world and, sometimes, this simply isn’t possible. Although you shouldn’t start insulting your partner’s siblings the moment they’re out of earshot, you should be honest and say that you’re not really feeling them, and don’t think you’ll want to hang out with them alone anytime soon. Just be prepared that your partner might be a big fan of your closest pals either.
3. Values And Beliefs You Hold
Far too many couples get swept up in the romance of a relationship, only to end up heartbroken later on when they discover that they’re core beliefs and values simply aren’t compatible. You aren’t always going to have the same views and opinions as those you love, but, if you don’t, you need to find a way to make things work. If this isn’t possible, then finding this out earlier is much less painful than later on down the line when you are both incredibly attached to one another.
4. Activities In The Bedroom
People that can’t talk about sex shouldn't be having it. It’s as simple as that. With that in mind, you need to have this talk with your partner and figure out what you both like so that you can both have an enjoyable time. You should also discuss methods of birth control. If neither of you wants to have children, then you might find that the relatively small vasectomy cost makes your lives easier. If this conversation is too uncomfortable, then your relationship may not be ready for it.
5. Things That Annoy You
No matter how much you may love your significant other, there has to be something that they do that really drives you up the wall. Do they leave the toilet seat up? Leave wet towels on the floor? Text at the dinner table? These things don’t have to be deal breakers in your relationship, but you should talk about them and find out what you do that annoys them. If you can both be a little more considerate of one another, then your time together should be truly harmonious.
6. Health Issues That Affect You
When you are dealing with health issues, it can be tempting to put on a brave face and try to hide them from your partner. However, this won’t get you the help and support that you need, and it won’t show you whether or not your new guy or gal can be this support for you. Although it can be scary, you need to open up about the physical or mental health issues that you’re dealing with. If you’ve found yourself a good partner, then they’ll show you the care that you need.
7. The Effect Of Your Past
Everyone has baggage in one form or another, from family issues that have left you a little damaged to past relationships that haunt you to this day. These issues can create fears, stress, and worries, which, if left unmanaged, can start to affect your current relationship. Instead of allowing it to, you owe it to your new partner to be honest about who you are and what made you this way. If you can’t talk about this with the person you love, then you can you talk about it with?
8. How To Settle Arguments
It doesn’t matter how happy you are; Every couple fights now and then. What really matters when this happens is how you resolve your conflicts. If you can’t talk about why you’re annoyed or angry, then you can’t expect your partner to understand and do what needs to be done to make you happy again. You need to learn to communicate better and discuss issues rather than shouting them. Broaching this conversation and talking it though is an incredibly helpful first step.
9. Your Future As A Couple
For your relationship to work, you both need to want it to and see it actually going somewhere. To understand where you’re each at, you should talk honestly about what you want, no matter how awkward or uncomfortable the conversation may be. After all, there’s no point in trying to make it work with someone that wants completely different things to you. This isn’t a talk that you’ll need to have right away, but, once you’ve passed from dating into a couple, it’s worth the discussion.
Talking about how you feel and what you want out of life can get uncomfortable and awkward, but this is something that you need to be able to do with your partner. After all, when you’re already sharing a life and a home, sharing your feelings should be a walk in the park. For a healthy and honest relationship, you should be able to discuss the topics listed above.