Communication and problem solving are important parts of managing relationships.
Therapist Lucille Shackleton shared seven relationship management tips that couples should follow to build a strong relationship.
When we think of a perfect relationship, it involves things like romantic dates, celebrating special events together, going on vacations, and spending quality time together. In the midst of all this, something that is often overlooked is much-needed communication practice or relationship management. Communicating regularly with your partner is essential to building a lasting connection, as the longer you wait, the more complicated it will become.
Therapist Lucille Shackleton recently shared some tips for encouraging open communication and maintaining a strong connection through weekly or monthly relationship check-ins. She explains that it's a great way to keep communication open, strengthen the connection, and address any concerns or issues that may arise.
Ideas for relationship controls:
To begin with, one should adopt Appreciation. Lucille suggests that couples should express appreciation for each other. “Share something specific that you appreciated or enjoyed about your partner in the past week,” she adds.
The second idea is to discuss the highlights of the week, which can include any positive experiences, achievements, or moments that have brought you joy or made you proud.
Then comes the part of talking about the Challenges. Couples need to discuss any difficulties or challenges they face individually or as a couple during the week. These could include work-related stress, conflicts with family or friends, or any other issue that has deeply affected them.
One of the most crucial parts is taking care of Emotional Well-being. Lucille suggests checking on each other's emotional well-being from time to time. “Ask how your partner is feeling and if there is anything they need support or understanding with,” she says.
It is also important to reflect on the state of your relationship in order to be satisfied. This can be done by asking each other about what has gone well this week and if there are areas that need improvement or attention next week.
After all the talking and sharing, comes the Problem Solving part. In case you have ongoing problems with conflicts, this log can be used to fix them. “Encourage open and honest communication, active listening, and working together to find solutions or compromises,” advises Lucille.
Last but not least, let's talk about the future. Couples need to talk about any upcoming events, projects, or plans that may affect their relationship. This may be a normal schedule or other responsibilities that will require you to support each other in managing commitments.
