Life

13 Ways To Fight For Your Relationship

by Ni'Kesia Pannell

Relationships can be tricky. To be honest, there's really no amount of love or support that can keep you from going through at least one problem during the span of your time together with someone. Though there are certain problems that can be healthy for you to grow together, others can cause you to question whether or not this relationship is really it. If you're going through that now, knowing how to fight for your relationship is probably one of the most important things to know.

Trust me, I know how easy it is to want to give up on a relationship when everything seems to be falling apart. Sometimes, it can feel like you're fighting a battle that doesn't want to be won. But something I've learned through time and experience is that you have to fight for the things that you want. Nothing is going to come easy if you really want it. Unfortunately, that could include love, too. Know that things take time to develop and finding a way to grow together is what relationships are meant for.

If you need a few ideas on how to give your relationship that bounce back effect, these 13 tips might help.

1Do Something Out Of The Norm

If you're having a few issues in your relationship that prompt you to feel like it's on its last leg, doing something out of the routine of your normalcy may be what you need to get it back on track. Something as simple as going on a staycation one weekend instead of sitting on the couch may be the thing you need to put the life back into your relationship.

2Go Back To The Basics

What made you two fall in love in the first place? Was it their sporadic nature? Maybe it was your ability to know exactly what they needed. Whatever it was, go back to the basics before all of the drama and pull from that to repair.

3Recognize Your Fear Of Intimacy

Psychology Today noted that recognizing your fear of intimacy can be a way to help your fight for your relationship. When people get scared in relationships, they will pull away from their partner and pick small fights. Before you close yourself off from love, be willing to recognize and attempt to fix your fear first.

4Talk It Out

Have you tried communicating yet? It sounds like such a simple and quick fix, but many people don't voice their issues before they end up calling it quits. Talking it out may not solve every problem, but it's a good start to getitng things back on track.

5Ask What You Can Do Better

Much like talking it out, asking your partner what they need from you for things to be better is another act that is long forgotten. As individuals, everyone likes to voice what is needed from the other person, but very few ask their partner what they need. Not only will this help your relationship grow, but it will help you grow, too.

6Agree To Counseling

Contrary to popular belief, couples counseling isn't only meant for marriages. Those in relationships can do it, too. If you feel like this is something you're willing to put the work in for and is something you want to last forever, going to counseling — both separately and together — may be a way for you to strengthen the bond you have.

7Rebuild Your Friendship

According to Askmen, solidifying your friendship with your partner can help out your relationship. The more connected you are, the better your relationship will be.

8Do Something Sweet

Chivalry doesn't have to be dead unless you want it to be. Do something sweet to respark the flare in your relationship. Something as simple as a handwritten note and a bouquet of flowers can be the first step for change in your relationship.

9Educate Yourself

There are so many self help books available for both men and women that finding ways to improve yourself is super easy. Maybe you're dealing with someone who had a traumatic childhood or maybe you're the one with the issues. Just like they used to say "there's an app for that," know that there's a book for that, too.

10Stay Faithful & Hopeful

Staying faithful and hopeful in your relationship is probably one of the most important factors in fighting for it. The moment you look like you're giving up on the other person or the love you share, they're going to feel like they have to, too. Stay faithful, patient, and keep fighting for your love if you truly want it.

11Take It One Day At A Time

Marriage Helper noted that taking each issue on one day at a time helps. Instead of trying to tackle every issue in bulk, break them down and don't be in a rush to get past them. Rushing through your issues will make them easier to come back up in the future.

12Address Your Issues Before You Address Theirs

When in a relationship, it's easy to notice the flaws that your partner has and cite those as the reasons things may be falling apart. However, the key to fighting for your relationship and healthily rebuilding it is to notice and address your issues before you address theirs. By doing that, you're essentially saying, "I understand where and what I did wrong and I'm willing to fix it."

13Situate Your Issues From Your Past

If you've had your heart broken, then there's a high chance that you'll end up bringing a bit of reluctance and baggage into your next relationship. However, if your past is hindering your growth in your relationship, then you should situate those issues in order to move forward. Those issues could be an ex that pops up or just wondering if there's still something there. Whatever it is, you should get those situated so that you can happily move forward in your relationship — or move on if that's what's best.