Every relationship has its hardships and will run into problems from time to time. You’re both living busy lives, whether it’s from being overworked, the stress that comes with raising a family, or dealing with a major life change. No matter if the issues you face are big or small, it’s important to overcome them through communication, mutual effort, and compromise. Discussing relationship problems and addressing them before they escalate is key to keeping a relationship healthy. While conflict is never easy, there are certainly ways for couples to navigate relationship obstacles.
Here are a few common relationship obstacles and how to overcome them:
Time
Differences in time management are one road bump couples may face in their relationship. Between work obligations and making time for friends and family, it can be easy to get caught up in the shuffle of life and not schedule enough alone time. Communicating with your partner and discussing what you need is an important part of maintaining a healthy relationship. If your partner isn’t scheduling enough time for you, it may bring up feelings of loneliness or jealousy. Vice versa, if you’re constantly spending time with your partner, you may feel like you’re not getting enough time for yourself. To avoid potential conflict, openly communicate with your partner about how much time you wish to spend together and discuss how to make time for other priorities. Find a time that works for both of your schedules to explore ways to have fun together, such as picking up a new hobby. When you feel like you need some space, be honest and open about when you need time away from your partner.
Communication
When couples are facing challenges in their relationship, oftentimes it’s tied to a lack of communication. Constant misunderstandings or a complete lack of communication can result in frustration and disagreements. It’s common for communication issues to stem from misinterpretation. When addressing issues with your partner, it’s important to take a step back and fully understand where they’re coming from and what they’re trying to say. Good communication takes empathy. In a relationship, it’s vital to be open about your feelings and practice being a good listener. Communication exercises for couples may benefit you and teach you effective ways to communicate with your partner.
Finances
Money management is one of the most common issues couples face. Having different financial goals, poor money management, and overspending habits can cause tension to rise in relationships. Everyone’s financial journey is different. If you and your partner are early-on in your relationship, it’s best to have an understanding of each other’s current financial situation so you can align on shared goals. Create a budget to keep your spending habits under control. Come up with a saving and investing plan to start out on the right foot. There are numerous ways to cut down on spending, whether it’s by lowering your car or phone payment or cutting down on fast food trips. If you’re further along in your relationship and are looking toward a big purchase such as a home, discuss using 30-year fixed mortgage rates as a way to gain a lower monthly payment and have a locked-in rate that’ll never increase. Finding ways to save more early-on will help you feel less financially stressed and make your long-term goals seem obtainable.
Trust
Feeling jealous or insecure in a relationship can lead to plenty of problems. Sometimes we find ourselves feeling distrustful for no given reason. Partners may begin to feel insecure in a relationship when they don’t have much relationship experience, have low self-worth, or have unsolved problems from previous relationships. Trust is the base of a relationship, so if you’re finding your relationship lacking trust, it’s best to get to the root of the problem. Having an open conversation with your partner to learn what both partners need and that you’re both being taken care of can be powerful ways to build trust.
Resources
If you need outside support, consider working with a Relationship Coach who will help you determine what kind of relationship you want and develop specific steps to get there.
You might also consider online courses that are available on-demand 24/7 to hone your relationship skills.
Summary
No relationship is perfect. There may be some challenges you face from time to time. How you handle these roadblocks determines how you overcome them, so it’s important to recognize any issues early on and learn how to work together through difficult everyday life issues.
Next Steps
Consider Couples Coaching. Coaching begins with helping you identify where you are in your relationship and where you want to go. Once that’s discovered, a customized plan is developed so you can work virtually one-on-one with a Relationship Coach. Whatever kind of relationship you want to achieve is within your reach!
