Relationships aren’t a one-and-done kind of thing. They’re almost like living, breathing things that require constant care, affection, and attention. The more proactive you are in its upkeep, the more it’ll thrive. However, some folks might feel too exhausted, overwhelmed, or cynical to know where they could start to improve their romantic relationships. The key is to start small.
Inspired by user u/Dani0873, the members of the r/AskReddit online community revealed some of the small things they do to make their marriages stronger. Scroll down for some wholesomeness, and upvote the advice you thought was the most helpful. Meanwhile, we’ll be taking some notes…
We got in touch with the author of the viral thread, redditor u/Dani0873. They were kind enough to answer our questions and share their perspective on relationships. Read on for Bored Panda's interview with them.
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There are many different reasons why married couples decide to get divorced. Time goes by, people and circumstances change, and they sometimes fall out of love or drift apart. Other times, spending a lot of time together can show you that the person you married is very different from the initial impression they gave you.
According to Forbes, the biggest factor for couples getting a divorce is a lack of family support. 43% of respondents listed this as their biggest reason for breaking up during a Forbes Advisor survey of divorcees. The second biggest reason was infidelity, with 34% of respondents mentioning it.
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Other major factors contributing to divorce include a lack of compatibility, lack of intimacy, and too much conflict (31% of survey respondents mentioned these), as well as financial stress (24%), lack of commitment (23%), and parenting differences (20%).
Other factors included marrying too young (10%), having opposing values (6%), substance abuse (3%), domestic violence (3%), and pursuing different lifestyles (1%).
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According to redditor u/Dani0873, who started the viral discussion on r/AskReddit, trust is what lies at the core of truly strong relationships.
"I think it’s the pre-requirement to a healthy and long relationship," the OP explained that it is absolutely fundamental.
We were interested in getting their opinion on what someone else might do to strengthen their relationship if it's currently falling apart. For the author of the thread, communication plays a vital role here.
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"I’d say talk to your partner," u/Dani0873 told Bored Panda.
“Keeping secrets or requests to yourself will only make you resentful, and that kills any relationship. If you’re scared to talk because you fear the consequences, then, IMO, you’re lacking trust,” they said.
The redditor told us that they weren't expecting their question to get so much attention on the internet. "I asked this question because, while conversing with my girlfriend, we were guessing what other couples do to improve the quality of their relationship."
They added that they hope that everyone in the comments section of their thread has a “healthy, happy, and long marriage.”
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In our experience, the things that truly make relationships work are honesty, respect, and playfulness. When there’s transparency and trust, you can both be on the same page. When there’s mutual respect, you feel heard and understood, so the connection between the both of you is genuine. And when there’s playfulness, there’s hardly any room for routine or boredom!
In short, the more effort you put into making your relationship fun and loving, the more you’ll see the results. When your support and affection are genuine, it really shows.
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That being said, it does require that you and your partner are actually attracted to each other, have similar values, and share at least some interests. It’s very difficult to maintain a deep relationship with someone whom you only have superficialities in common with.
What do you do to keep your relationships with your partners strong, dear Pandas? How do you show your affection and provide support every day? How do your partners show that they care about you, too? If you feel up for sharing your experiences, don't be shy and write your thoughts in the comments.
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