We deserve happiness in our relationships, right? If it’s unfulfilling should we give up? Is there a limit to the amount of time an unfulfilling relationship should be endured until you decide to call it quits?
Yes, we deserve happiness in our relationships. However, happiness is fleeting rather it is joy that indicates a fulfilling one. A moment of happiness can be found in a gift, makeup sex, or a compliment. This does not equate to a healthy relationship. Joy in a relationship is defined by deep founded sense of love and peace with the other person through whatever situation.
Throughout life you go through seasons and relationships do as well. Recognizing these seasons can help you determine if there is true joy in your relationship or just moments of happiness.
The seasons you go through in a relationship are from lots of different factors. If you started dating your significant other during high school or college there is a period of transition to adulthood that you may both navigate through. There are also major life events such as starting a family together. Some other life events are negative such as a job loss or the death of a loved one. Life isn’t a cookie cutter and the seasons you go through may be minimal, dramatic or somewhere in between. What to note is there will be changes in your life and your significant other’s, it is simply unavoidable. However, the way in which you navigate through these changes alongside your partner will indicate how the health of your relationship. Many times there is a learning curve in how the other person reacts to stress as it may be very different than your way. That’s okay, as long as you notice and you both take steps to be considerate of the other.
What if throughout your relationship seasons and in between them it seems that your relationship is consistently unfulfilling? Should you take steps to end it? Well, it depends what you think is unfulfilling. We live in two worlds: online and offline. The online world is mostly an illusion. Others in relationships are mostly showing their wins and so it paints the picture that your life may not stack up to others. This can easily corrupt your thinking and lead you to believe your relationship is unfulfilling. If you’ve taken a in depth look at how your viewing your relationship and still believe it isn’t loving to yourself to continue then first establish your absolutely nots.