I Forgive You

Love Couple

If something has happened in your relationship causing the trust to waiver, you will have many things to work through. When your mate has done something that requires you to forgive, you have to forgive, REALLY forgive. 

Once you have worked through the issue either together or with professional counseling, and you tell them that you forgive them, you can never hold that over them again. As an example, if your mate has had an affair and the two of you choose to work it out rather than throw the relationship away, once the problems are resolved and the forgiveness is said, it is done! 

This means that you cannot stalk your mate to ensure they are where they said they would be, call or page them throughout the day, constantly ask for reaffirmation of your relationship, it means that you forgive and put the past behind you and then move on in a new, strong, and healthy relationship . It will not be easy, but you can do it with the right help, attitude, and commitment.

Financial Woes

Love Couple

One of the main reasons other than fidelity that marriages fall apart is due to finances. 

When couples are struggling with money problems, tempers flare, frustration builds, drinking may start, and it is an all-around unhealthy situation. 

The minute there are any signs of financial difficulties, the two of you need to immediately sit down and figure out a plan on how to deal with the problem. 

If needed, go to see a financial consultant or a credit counseling service to help you get back on track. 

Do not allow your finances to get out of line or your relationship will certainly suffer.

Schedule Time

Love Couple

Spending quality time together is crucial. This time can be with friends, dining out, attending a sporting event, or cuddling together while watching a favorite movie.

The activity is not what is important but the fact that you are together, doing something that you both enjoy.

People have extremely busy schedules and between work, family, the home, errands, and everything else going on, finding time for your mate can be difficult.

Just as you would schedule a meeting on your calendar, show some courtesy in the relationship by scheduling time with each other. Once the plan is in place, no backing out unless you have some life and death emergency.

Lighten Up

Love Couple

Often when couples have gone through or are going through some bumpy spots in their relationship, things tend to get serious.

It could be that there is a tremendous amount of tension or perhaps they are not sure what to say. Regardless of the reason, learn to lighten up. 

Do not take every comment, glance, or movement as a serious problem. 

If your mate makes a mistake, which you both will, let it go, or if appropriate, laugh about it. 

If you make a mistake, do not be afraid to poke fun at yourself. 

This will automatically start the process of tension breaking.

Predictability

Love Couple

If asking couples the factors involved in the demise of their relationship, one of the common responses is that everything in the relationship is so predictable. When rebuilding a relationship, do not be afraid of letting go of boredom.

If you normally hate the fact that Saturday afternoons consist of your mate sitting for hours watching football, fix some finger sandwiches and something cool to drink and go join them on the couch, or if your mate spends hours in the garden trying to make things look perfect, surprise them with a new flowering plant, and then help to plant it.

When taking a walk with your mate, stop and give them a soft kiss, say, "I love you," and then keep walking. Take some chances and do the unexpected.

Re-Establish Old Traditions

Love Couple

If you and your mate had a tradition of some kind when you first got together, dust it off and breathe life back into it. 

Perhaps you met after work on Friday at the local pub for a drink, washed your cars together every Saturday morning, or attended church together on Sunday. 

Whatever it was, re-establish the tradition.

Filler Talk

Love Couple

If you are married, especially with children, break out of the habit of talking about nothing. 

Many times, families will be sitting around the dinner table and the conversation consists of, "Do you like your carrots?", or "I wonder what is on TV tonight?" 

Instead, change your strategy to include real questions, showing real interest. Replace the normal, "Did you have a good day at work?" with "Tell me what you did at work today." 

Even if you do not understand everything being said, listen with interest. 

It is not that you are so much interested in the work, but your mate's life.

No Debates

Love Couple

If you know that you and your mate have proven differences in opinion on certain subjects, avoid those subjects.

As an example, if you are a Republican and your mate is a Democrat, politics should probably be avoided.

As the two of you identify new topics that could cause a debate session, stop the conversation before it even gets started.