What Keeps Love From Falling Apart?

Relationships can be quite tricky. When distinct individuals who have grown up under different circumstances, with perspectives as unique as themselves, fall in love, the result can be the most beautiful and profound connection in the world(according to the people involved), or it could be a catastrophic disaster. This outcome, however, is often a result of the decisions that we unintentionally make in our relationship.

It might come as a surprise for most of us as we know we would never consciously choose a disaster for ourselves. However, as mentioned above, our choices, both intentional and unintentional do have the power to change the course of any relationship over time. While most of us are aware of our deliberate decisions, it is those unintentional ones that can disrupt the harmony of a relationship. 

During the initial stages of a relationship, be it a committed or non-committed one, everything can seem enchanting and effortless. But sooner or later, as the relationship progresses forward, it becomes a bumpy ride with challenges that weren’t too obvious earlier. These challenges, if left unaddressed, get bottled up and accumulate over time only to ultimately burst out altogether at a certain point. Many relationships dissolve in this struggle to maintain and keep the love alive, and couples often end up failing miserably as they do not realize the actual reason for the turmoil. 

Thus, it is important for all of us to understand and acknowledge the fact that meaningful connections should never be a constant struggle. The day it becomes an adjustment, consider it an indication of an underlying issue that needs immediate attention, which often tends to be the need for better, effective, and improved communication.

What is Communication?

In broader terms, communication can be defined as a fundamental aspect of any type of human relationship, and it is a prerequisite that should be the foundation for building, nurturing, and developing any kind of relationship. This again brings us back to the question of what exactly communication is. 

At the core, communication is the bridge that becomes the medium for connecting people on a deeper level, both emotionally and intellectually. It can be defined as an exchange of thoughts, ideas, and perspectives, and also encompasses anything that expresses an individual’s expectations from the people and world around them. This expression, however, can vary and take different forms including but not limited to verbal, nonverbal, written, and even visual means. 

So how does communication become the linchpin in romantic relationships?

One of the major problems that arise in a romantic affair is when one or any of the partners stops speaking. By not speaking, it means having to withhold thoughts and emotions from their partner(s). This may not be a choice that was made willingly but one that is purely based on the fear that complete honesty might hurt their partner(s). Though it might seem like a temporary solution to avoid conflicts, in the long run, it can turn out to be detrimental, thereby stifling the growth and intimacy of that particular relationship. 

When there is space for effective communication, it develops a deep sense of understanding between romantic partners, making it simpler to convey their thoughts and feelings even through gestures that will continuously help establish a stronger emotional connection while navigating through the ups and downs of your life together. Besides that, open conversations also enable people to freely talk about their experiences, vulnerabilities, and even insecurities, which further builds the much-needed trust and transparency required in any relationship.

Conflict resolution is another significant aspect that communication brings to the table. It is completely normal to have fights and disputes among your romantic connections. After all, we all are human beings packed with unique characteristics and perspectives about the world, and sometimes, healthy arguments are indeed necessary to keep your relationships on track. However, what matters is the way people indulge in resolving these conflicts. People often tend to justify their own actions, without making the effort to listen or understand what the other person is trying to communicate, leading to disagreements that may or may not be resolved with time. 

Apart from conflict resolution, communication also plays a pivotal role in avoiding different types of misunderstandings, especially when it comes to physical intimacy. A lot of people in the country have received their sex education from pornographic movies. Therefore, they expect their partners to respond exactly in the same way as it was depicted in these mediums. However, this is not the case most of the time, and it can result in obvious disappointment and resentment from all the parties involved. In worst-case scenarios, such expectations even lead to individuals being hospitalized, which will certainly initiate the decline of any relationship. The only way to solve issues as intimate as these is to communicate, and there is absolutely nothing wrong in expressing your needs, likes, and dislikes with your partner(s) because only then will you reach a state of ultimate freedom and connection with them.

Healthy communication not only helps address and accept differences but also learn from each other while setting the stage for emotional healing and growth. Furthermore, it also fosters a safe and respectful space where partners can rely on each other to discuss their dreams and aspirations while paving the way for the personal growth of every individual involved in the partnership. This enables them to set boundaries based on their personal preferences, hence, making them feel heard and valued, which is very important to sustain a relationship in the long run.

So next time you are ready to embark on the journey of love, remember that only communication can save you from a lot of heartaches, and love always blossoms with words you share, the understanding you nurture, and the trust you consciously focus on developing because only then you can expect your relationship to remain vibrant and fulfilling throughout the test of time.