Healthy Relationships: Make This Your New Year’s Resolution
Every year, as we approach the end of December, we hear the phrase “New Year, New Me”, as people make their resolutions and commitments towards their goals for January and beyond. And to be honest, this is great. Self-improvement is something we should all strive for. However, too often, we only focus on ourselves as individuals. The truth is that, to use another cliche, no man is an island. We need the people around us to thrive. So, let’s change it to “New Year, New Us” and focus on healthy relationships that help us as well as those around us thrive.
Let’s relook, reassess, and rejuvenate our relationships for 2024
When we feel supported, we are capable of so much more. Whether we are talking about family, friends or romantic partners, healthy relationships inspire us and lift us up. But too often we take these interactions for granted, and neglect taking care of them. This can cause a breakdown in communication or demise of the entire relationship over time. Even worse, it leads to increased stress and agitation for both parties, not only removing our support structure, but actively holding us back from thriving the way we deserve.
Here are a few handy tips for nurturing (or rebuilding) healthy relationships:
- Let go of any resentment – If there was an incident in the past that damaged the relationship, you must be willing to let it go in order to move forward.
- Resolve issues – Letting go of resentment does not mean ignoring problems. Don’t let issues fester. Show respect by talking about it and sharing your feelings, while also allowing the other person to share their side.
- Control your emotions – What you feel is valid, but how you react is within your control. Don’t let your hurt turn into actions that hurt your partner. This is a cycle of abuse that ends up damaging everyone and resolving nothing.
- Be present – The greatest gift you can give someone is your time. If you spend time with a partner, make sure you aren’t distracted all the time, making them feel like a third wheel.
- Set ground rules – Healthy relationships often means compromise. Compare what you both want from the relationship and set rules to keep you on track. This shouldn’t be militant. It’s simply to understand each other’s needs better, manage expectations clearly and commit to being there for each other.
If you are serious about building healthy relationships and need some support or guidance with certain issues or to help you re-establish a solid foundation for stepping into 2024, get in touch with Dr Tienie Maritz, an expert in relationship counselling.
Sources:
https://www.tieniemaritz.co.za