Relationships can be amazing and being in a relationship should make you feel that you have been with your best friend. This kind of relationship should make you happy and bring you peace. On the other hand, though, when you are in a relationship, chances are that you will not see your friends as much and you might stop doing the hobbies that you once loved. You might feel that you are so deep in the relationship that you forget who you are.
When you first get with someone, this can be super exciting, and it will feel like magic. You will often forget about what things you are missing because you found someone exciting to be with.
You will love this person at first and you will go through the honeymoon stage where things are amazing. It is at this time that you need to make sure that you aren’t losing yourself. Here are some ways to make sure that doesn’t happen:
Put Yourself First
Always make sure that you put yourself first in any relationship. Make sure that you have self-care and that you are looking after your mind, body, and soul. You need to keep up with what you love, do the hobbies that you enjoy and keep after your goals.
Don’t expect your partner to make you whole. Even if you have a lot in common, you still need to stay true to who you are and do what you enjoy. This can come in different forms, and you need to make sure you are living a good life.
I or We?
You are still an individual even if you are dating someone. You and your partner are together, but you don’t have to replace what you do with a “we.”
You are your own person, and they are their own person. You have different likes and different friends, and you need to make sure that you have time separate from each other.
Compromising
Make sure that you are not compromising things that are important to you such as your values or your morals. Don’t do this even if you feel that it will make them happy.
The little things that you have for yourself are important and you will not want to be in a relationship where you have to change these things that you care about.
Friends and Family
Go out and see your friends and family. Do this alone and as a couple. If you want to see your friends and have a night out with them, do it.
Even though you are loving being in a relationship, those are your people too and you need to spend time with them.
Do Things Alone
Even though you are dating, and you have fun with your partner, do things alone. Focus on doing things with yourself. Go to the gym, go do yoga, go bowling with your friends and visit your family.
Having alone time will help you to see that you love each other even more.
Boundaries
All good relationships have boundaries and when you are dating, you still need them. Boundaries will help you to keep yourself real and will help you to have respect for your partner and them to respect you.
Healthy boundaries will give you confidence and will help you to know who you are and what your relationship is all about.
Boundaries are important and there should be things that you will not tolerate from someone, even if you love them.
Talk, Talk, Talk
Communication is one of the most important things in a relationship. Make sure that you have healthy communication and that you are able to tell your partner if you don’t agree with them or if you want something else.
Never forget to express your needs and learn to talk about whatever is on y our mind. You should be able to talk openly with your partner and you should never be scared to do that. If they are about, you and your feelings, they will want to talk about what you want and what your desires are.
Stay True to You
Never give up who you are. If your partner wants you to change, this is a red flag, and you need to reconsider your relationship. Your partner should support you in all things that you want in your life.
You never have to fake liking everything that your partner likes, and they shouldn’t have to like the same things you like. Do not be unhappy just because you want them to love you. Learn to stand up for what you want and to be proud of who you are.
Think about your past relationships and realize what role you played. Did you give up too much of yourself for someone else? Learn to be more confident and to be the best that you can be. Learn to be proud of yourself and what you want and what you have done in your life. If you find a good partner, they will be proud of you as well.