A healthy relationship is always a work in progress. It’s always changing because its stakeholders—you and your partner—are always going back and assessing the actions that helped or hurt their relationship. They’re always reevaluating their actions and beliefs and making necessary changes.

Here’s how you can take a page out of their book and be the best partner to your significant other.

Check-in with Them Like Clockwork

Checking in with your partner is more than just about asking them about their day. It involves the following steps:

• Ask them about their day.
• Ask them about a challenge they faced.
• Tell them what you appreciate about them.
• Share what you’re working on.
• Ask them for support, if needed.

Don’t just kiss them goodbye when you are leaving, tell them when you’re home and share the highlights of your day. Share something you appreciate about your partner and ask how you can support them with a particular thing or situation. Follow the above steps, and you can have a whole conversation going.

Manage Impulsive Responses

As your new relationship turns into a long-term relationship, you’re more relaxed and uninhibited. You’re at ease, but that ease comes with a responsibility. It’s good—even healthy—to be laid back in a relationship. What’s not good is saying the first thing that comes to your mind in response to something your partner said.

When you feel like things are getting heated up, take a deep breath and shelf away your first retort. It’ll likely be rough around the edges and hurt the feelings of your significant other. Go with the second answer and be kind about it.

Have Conversations, Not Monologues

Conversations are exchanges, which means you  must hear out what the other person is saying without interrupting them, and then respond accordingly. You shouldn’t wait for them to finish just so you can share something completely out of the left field.

Moreover, listen to what they’re saying and understand the meaning behind their spoken and unspoken words. Sometimes a sympathetic ear is all they need to feel understood and loved. You don’t have to solve all their problems or know just the right thing to fix all their problems. Just hold their hand and show them you understand.

Look Within

The more you familiarize yourself with yourself, the less likely you’ll take out your problems and hurts on your significant other. It takes two to tangle , meaning you’re equally responsible for any difficult times in your relationship.

Take this chance to engage in some personal reflection and growth, express your needs, and be the best partner you can be. Have a certified life and relationship coach help you through the process.

Get Freda Wilson’s Help

Building a healthy relationship may not take a village, but it could use the personal, spiritual, and relationship coaching provided by certified life coach Freda R. Wilson. Join her couples or one-on-one coaching sessions for some relationship counseling.

Contact the life coach for any help with nurturing a lasting relationship.