8 Ways to Deepen Love, According to Experts
Love is as complicated as beautiful, and no two relationships are alike.
For example, during a downpour of emotions, do you seek shelter away from the rain or dance in it? How should you proceed if you want to take love further?
What are your options when you want to deepen the lovein your relationship?
Here are seven ways you and your partner can get closer to each other:
- Communicate
Is that, however, all that is required? Is it as simple as saying, “I love you”?
No, not really. After all, communication entails more than just speaking.It is the exchange of ideas and information.
Any relationship is built on communication.
Rajeshwari Luther, a relationship counsellor at Hope Trust, says, “Every relationship requires communication, and the quality of that communication determines how fulfilling the relationship is for both people.”
Communicating with your partner lets youdiscover where you stand in your relationship.
Effective communication also applies to the other points on this list, such as conflict resolution and vulnerability exploration.
- Learn to resolve conflicts amicably
So many new relationships fail at the first sign of disagreement. And once the honeymoon energy wears off, navigating reality becomes quite tricky.
Learning practical conflict resolution skills is critical for deepening love in a relationship.
High-stress situations can bring out the worst, so always respect one another. Respect should be reciprocal and consistent.
The “heat of the moment” should never be used as an excuse to hurt one another.
- Learn each other’s love language
People can have different love languages, each with rules for giving and receiving love. What matters here is that you understand your partner’s love language.
How do they perceive their love? How do they express their love for you?
It would be best if you tried to learn about your partner. Give and take. Make a concerted effort to make each other feel loved and appreciated in the best ways possible.
- Be aware of each other’s needs
Couples must understand their needs in addition to knowing their love language.
Not to repair but to understand where the other is coming from.
Make a clear distinction between sympathising with them and empathising with them. It would be best not to minimise your partner’s emotions but to listen intently.
You can’t go through life for the people you care about; you can only walk alongside them.
- Allow yourself to be vulnerable
Vulnerability is an act of bravery compared to the common perception that it is a weakness.
Many of us take a long time to reach that point of surrender.
And if you’re in a relationship and want to deepen your love, being vulnerable is a good place to start.
And before you ask, “What if they run away from me because I’m vulnerable?” Then, reconsider whether that’s the energy you want in your life and whether it’s something you can and want to work through.
If you’re having trouble opening up and being vulnerable, it’s time to look inward and figure out why.
Dr. Vidyasagar, a Clinical Psychologist at Hope Trust, says, “If you are the partner who is having difficulty showing affection, reflect on reasons that might be causing this for you.”
And that it’s perfectly fine to take baby steps!
“Take it one day at a time, and start with one small step each day,” he adds. “This helps you develop more trust and confidence in yourself, your partner, and your relationship, allowing you to be more emotionally vulnerable.”
- Walk the talk
Be sincere. Always.
Make no promises you can’t keep.What you say has to be taken seriously.
Promises are only meaningful if you follow through on them. Plans are nothing more than wishful thinking without action.
It should not be theoretical if you decide to deepen your love for your relationship. Put in the effort. Make an appearance. Participate actively in your partner’s life.
Make them feel like you want to be a part of their lives. Please demonstrate that you’re in it for the long haul.
Effort is seductive.
According to Rajeshwari, there are two signs of effort in a relationship.The first step is initiation, and then comes consistency.
Here are a few questions to consider:
- When was the last time I planned something with my partner?
- What exactly were these activities?
- Were these activities compatible with my partner’s preferences?
- How else can I be there for my partner?
- Align your long-term objectives and plans
Let’s talk about money.Discuss your career.Discuss marriage.Think about starting a family.
Money is one of the most common sources of conflict in a relationship. According to a therapist, it ranks alongside infidelity, a lack of family support, a lack of intimacy, and excessive conflict as the leading causes of divorce.
Money can be a make-or-break topic in a relationship, so couples must be open and honest about it.
Along with money, you should discuss long-term career goals and plans. Do you have any other plans to study further? Do you intend to work and live abroad? Do you want to move up the corporate ladder?
Discussing career goals may not be a priority for all couples, but it allows you to see if you and your partner are on the same page. A career-driven person may not get along with someone who prefers to live a slower life and vice versa.
Finally, understand where your partner stands on marriage and having a family. One person may not want to marry, another may not want children, and yet another may wish to wait.
Staying on the same page about long-term goals is a great way to strengthen a relationship.
- Decide to love them. Constantly
You must continually choose to love them. When the realities of life begin to drag you both around, you must want to be there with them. It would be best to hold their hand, not out of compulsion but of love, trust, and respect. And they should as well.
Even people we care about can irritate us, but what happens next is the deciding factor. It is possible to choose how to resolve a conflict. It is a choice to stay together.
Are you facing any relationship issues? Click www.hopetrustindia.com for an online appointment with a relationship counsellor.