How’s your partner doing? Do you always ask your boyfriend or girlfriend how his or her day went? Do you treat him or her to dinner when your partner is feeling stressed at work? Are you always there for him or her especially during dark days?
Supporting each other is essential in a relationship. Your partner needs to know that he or she has a pillar of support especially when life gets really harder. Here are some ways for you to show your support to each other:
1. Listen to each other.
Pay attention to what your partner is saying. If he talks about his frustrations at work, school, or his family, then acknowledge what he feels. Empathize with him. Tell him you’re in this together; it would mean a lot to your partner. More importantly, listen to what your partner is not saying. She might say she’s doing alright even when she’s actually not, so know her needs. One thing you can always do as partners is to make each other feel that you’re always willing to listen to each other.
ALSO READ: 10 Tips on How to be a Better Listener in Your Relationship
2. Support each other’s dreams.
This is one of the secrets of a lasting relationship. Yes, you may have different dreams. He may aim for wealth, and you may aim for the abstract; that’s totally fine. You just have to continue supporting each other. If you do, both of you will feel how much you believe in each other’s ability to realize those dreams. Also, you are able to take a glimpse of how you are as future partners.
3. Celebrate/weep together.
Did he just get the position that she has been aiming for? Or, did she just get the highest possible rank in the company she works for? Celebrate your success together. No matter how small or big it is, make time to appreciate each other’s efforts in your personal and professional lives. Now, if things are not going well, you don’t have to suffer alone. Share the pain with your partner. Weep together. Drink together. Face life’s ups and downs together.
4. Be there during the most important dates.
Is your partner performing onstage for the first time? Is she presenting her business proposal? Or, is he about to graduate with an MA degree? Make sure that you are there to congratulate and cheer for each other. Cherish the most important days of your lives together. One day, when you get old, you can always look back to those beautiful moments, and you’d be so grateful you spent them with your partner.
5. Offer help.
Does your partner feel overwhelmed with his or her responsibilities at work or at school? Why don’t you offer some help? Be proactive. Ask what you can do for your partner. This doesn’t mean that you will do all the work for your boyfriend or girlfriend; the thought alone that you badly want to help him or her would make your partner appreciate your effort.
6. Stay up late if needed.
Does your partner have some tasks to finish and need to stay late in the office to do it? Cheer him or her up! Stay up late, and wait until he or she gets home safely. Pick him or her up if possible. A little bit of sacrifice won’t be too much of a burden if you really love a person.
7. Be patient with each other.
Your partner may be depressed right now, and he or she may be trying his best to fight the depression, but it’s not easy. It will never be. As a partner, you need to be patient. Never get tired of listening to him or her. Never get tired of comforting your partner. Lastly, never get tired of helping your partner overcome what he or she is going through.
ALSO READ: 10 Ways to Have More Patience in a Relationship
8. Give each other a warm embrace.
Did your partner just have a tough day? Give him or her a warm embrace. You never really know what a simple hug or cuddle can do to your partner. You may be the person he or she needs to uplift his or her spirit. Hence, be your partner’s home.
9. Give reassuring words.
Sometimes, even when your actions show that you really care for your partner, reassuring words can still make a big difference. Look him or her in the eye, and say that you will always be there for him or her. Tell your boyfriend or girlfriend that he or she doesn’t have to take the burden all by himself or herself because he or she has you. You have each other.
10. Surprise each other.
Surprising each other every once in a while is another secret to keep the fire in your relationship. Pay your boyfriend or girlfriend a surprise visit at school or work. Give him or her small gifts. You need not buy the most expensive watch or necklace to make your partner feel overjoyed on his or her birthday; you just have to exert some effort to show how supportive and loving your partner you are to him or her.
11. Be proud of each other.
When you’re too proud of your boyfriend or girlfriend, complimenting him or her in front of your family and friends may come naturally. Go tell the world about him or her. Talk about his or her achievements. Talk about what you love about your partner. You can post your photos together on social media, or you can keep the relationship private. It’s all up to you so long as you make your partner feel that he or she has your full support and you are proud of him or her.
12. Eat together.
Of course, who doesn’t want food? You may be too stressed at work, at school, or in life in general, but you can always choose to de-stress. Eat with your partner! Grab those sweets you’ve been craving to eat. Appreciate the food. Appreciate the moment. Appreciate the person you’re eating with.
Have you been doing these things to your partner? If yes, keep it up! If you think you sometimes fail to show your support to him or her, then don’t make it a habit. Grab your chance to make it up to him or her. Give your partner the love and support that he or she deserves!
ALSO READ: 15 Tips on How to be a Supportive Boyfriend to Your Girlfriend
Online courses recommended for you:
- Relationship Coaching: Transform Problems into Growth & Love:
Develop true love & greater intimacy & a relationship growth mindset, stop destructive conflicts, find meaning & purpose. - Love & Connection: The Science of Successful Relationships:
This course will show you how to examine the unknown path that you’ll travel with your spouse, and carefully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship.
Good advice