Photo: Alex Green

Can time apart strengthen a relationship?

Research by psychologists and sociologists suggest that a relationship can be strengthened by time spent apart – whether literally/physically or figuratively.

couplecounselling.com.au - Improve Your Relationship by Spending Time Apart

How can I impress my crush instantly?

Ways to impress your crush Talk about your passions. If you are passinate about life and career, talk about those passions and goals with your...

Last updated Apr 8, 2021

How quickly does love fade?

Movies try to convince us we'll feel this way forever, but the intense romance has an expiration date for everyone. Expect the passion to last two...

Last updated Aug 25, 2022

Promotion

Don’t foster your relationship at the risk of losing yourself – Improve your relationship by spending time apart

Q. What’s the secret to achieving a long marriage?

A. The successful couple make sure they go out twice each week: a little candlelight dinner, soft music, and a slow-walk back home.

The Mrs. goes Tuesdays; He goes Fridays.

Okay, so the secret to a long and successful marriage described above is just a joke…. But it’s actually not such a crazy idea. Research by psychologists and sociologists suggest that a relationship can be strengthened by time spent apart – whether literally/physically or figuratively. This is because couples who are too intertwined and co-reliant, become overly dependent on each other – they risk losing their own sense of identity and their own capacity to function outside of the relationship. Of course, being emotionally connected to your partner, wanting to spend time together, enjoying shared activities, none of this is bad – indeed, it helps to achieve intimacy which is one of the foundations of a successful relationship. But be careful that whilst you are creating this deep connection with your partner, that you don’t lose sight of who you are.

So why is co-dependence so unhealthy in a relationship?

Co-dependence is problematic, because over time, it can have a negative affect on your social life and your working life. It can lessen your interest in other activities or other people, and most significantly, reduce your self-esteem and sense of self. It can also have a devastating effect on the individual if their relationship breaks up or their partner passes away. Children can also place an immense strain on a relationship where the parties are too deeply embedded and emotionally reliant on each other, because the relationship simply doesn’t have space for another (in this case, the child). Below are some indicators of when you and your partner might be overly co-dependent:

– Do you have trouble making decisions on your own?

– Do you hate being on your own?

– Do you have your own set of friends? Do you see them without your partner?

– Do you have your own hobbies?

– Do you make much opportunity to engage in life separate to your partner?

So what can you do to be more independent of your relationship? Here are some practical strategies that will help you achieve improved independence, greater resilience and a stronger sense of self: – Take time to develop your own hobbies or engage in your own activities

– Cultivate your own friendships

– Spend time at home alone

– Encourage (or don’t discourage) time spent physically apart, e.g. work trips or the odd separate holiday And maybe go out to dinner solo once in a while… You might find that the experience is liberating and confidence boosting – and you might just be super excited to rush home to your partner and tell him or her all about it!

Who is an excellent wife?

Proverbs 12:4 – “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who shames him is as rottenness in his bones.” Marriage is a life-long...

Last updated Sep 22, 2018

Do dumpers easily move on?

If a secure attachment ex broke up with you, they are much more likely to move on from the breakup quickly compared to the other attachment styles....

Last updated Apr 1, 2020

Promotion

What compliments do guys like on their body?

How to Compliment a Guy's Appearance 1 “You're really cute!” 2 “You're super striking.” 3 “I love your smile.” 4 “Have you been working out? You look good.” 5 “You have beautiful hair.” 6 “You've got such cute ears!” 7 “I love watching you walk.” 8 “You have great style!” More items...

wikihow.com - 11 Easy Ways to Compliment a Guy's Appearance - wikiHow

So you’ve got your eye on a guy because of his beautiful body or his sharp style, but how do you let him know? Compliments are a great way to show a guy that you appreciate him, as well as build up some chemistry in a relationship, especially at its early stages.[1] If you’re looking for the best compliments to let a guy know you think he’s attractive over text or in-person, we’ve got you covered. Here’s our complete guide on how to compliment a guy’s appearance. This article is based on an interview with our dating coach, John Keegan. Check out the full interview here.

Who suffers most after breakup?

Despite the age-old stereotype that men are less emotionally invested in relationships than women, a new study has found that men are in fact more...

Last updated Apr 18, 2021

How do you know if a guy doesn't value you?

20 telltale signs he doesn't value you Lack of respect when speaking to you. There is a rude disregard for how your mate talks to you and in front...

Last updated May 25, 2020

Promotion

How do you know if my boyfriend wants to marry me?

33 Signs He Wants to Marry You You Know Everything About Him. ... He Shares His Future Plans With You. ... You Know His Family. ... He Wants To...

Last updated Jul 9, 2022

Promotion

How do you punish a man for ignoring you?

Feeling Ignored? What to Do When He Ignores You Call out the behavior. ... Try other forms of communicating. ... Give him permission to dump you....

Last updated May 22, 2021