Healthy Relationships: Signs, Priorities, and Tips

Love and relationships are essential to our existence. It is within human nature to love and to seek for love. In fact, nothing in this world can make a person truly happy than being loved by that one person that completes them.

It is the most powerful feeling in this world and no amount of fortune will ever be enough to replace love and the joy that comes from it.

Most couples hope for a successful and lasting relationship. However, it’s normal to go through several obstacles, trials and setbacks along the way.

We have to accept that every relationship goes through a series of ups and downs. That’s just how works. And in order to meet these challenges, we have to keep our relationship healthy and stable to make it work.

Relationships should be a two-way process wherein both parties must be willing to give in order to get the best out of it.

Relationship is a two-way process of giving and taking. Both parties must be willing to invest their time, energy and effort to make it work.

Lara Powell Official Aquitaine

Welcome to lpoaquitaine.org! This is where we’ll discuss topics that concern love and relationships including their many aspects and issues. Allow me to introduce myself and my partners in creating this website.

My name is Lara Powell and I’m an American sociologist, researcher and a blogger. I attended the College of Human Sciences at the University of Bordeaux in Aquitaine which is located on the southwest corner of Metropolitan France.

I was born and raised in Miami, Florida but decided to pursue my studies abroad to gain independence and to experience a different culture.

While studying in Aquitaine, I met two fellow American students who eventually became my friends and now, my partners in building this website. They are currently lpoaquitaine.org’s main contributors.

Studying Human Sciences developed my passion for different forms of relationships and their aspects. I like to explore relationships and the different ways couples express and interpret them

We explore relationships in all its colors and expressions including modern practices such as open relationships between straight couples, polyamory among the LGBTQ+ community, sex lines for gays and lesbians and online interracial romance among many others.

We are also currently conducting a study concerning the “Factors that Contribute to the Longevity of Relationships based on Real-Life Situations among American Couples” which hopefully, we can publish on this site in the future.

Over the coming year, we are anticipating a trip back to Aquitaine for an internship program and to conduct an independent study on Behavioral Science. For now, please join us as we explore topics that concern love and relationships in this modern age.

Priorities vs. Relationships

A colleague once told me that a person can’t have it all in this life. Those who have successful careers usually have unhappy personal lives and zero romance.

However, those who have blossoming relationships typically have average careers. It’s as if one cannot co-exist with the other and it’s always a choice between love and success.

So I asked my dear colleague how he manages his own life given the fact that he’s the senior vice president of a prestigious PR and advertising company. He let me in on his little secret (which technically, is not a secret anymore).

According to him, he engages in alternative dating methods that are undemanding and don’t require his commitment.

He joins chat rooms for singles and calls the phone sex numbers whenever he feels like talking and flirting with someone. He loves spending his spare time socializing and interacting with other singles via phone chats.

According to him, it’s the best he could do at the moment to maintain his focus on his career without depriving himself of the opportunity to have a social life. There’s always less risk, less distraction and no emotional involvement.

When I asked him if his “modern practices” and “quick alternative fixes” are enough to fill a void in is life, his reply was; “it’s all a matter of making personal choices and choosing your own priorities in life”.

Relationship is a choice for many people. However, not all are brave enough to exchange their priorities for commitment.

While this seems to be the most convenient answer for my colleague, it’s not enough to convince me. I believe in relationships as well as in every person’s ability to pursue his/her ambition regardless of status.

To me, it all boils down into finding the three essential elements to complete the formula. These include the right relationship, the right person and the right attitude.

How to Manage Your Priorities in a Relationship

Relationship requires time, energy and commitment. But how are you going to manage your priorities while in a relationship? Is it still possible to maintain a flourishing career, busy lifestyle and active social life while committed to someone?

This is perhaps the greatest challenge that you’ll have to face – to learn how to balance the many aspects of your life while in a relationship.

Being in the field of human sciences, I feel that it is my responsibility to find the link between personal priorities and relationships. I find it unfair to give up on your chance at love just to pursue your passion.

Just the same, being in love shouldn’t impose limitations to one’s potential but rather should serve as an inspiration to keep moving up towards becoming a better person.

So, what does it take to maintain a happy relationship while pursuing your other priorities in life? I have summarized the results of my research into 5 major components which are as follows;

Maturity

Maturity refers to being rational and insightful about your situation. It also means being physically and emotionally ready to nurture two important aspects of your life without taking any one of them for granted.

This includes committing time to your relationship and devoting some to your career. Creating a distinct boundary between the two will enable you to manage both separately.

Maturity is essential in handling relationship. It accounts to being rational and having the ability to make wise decisions.

Adjustments

Identify the things that are most important to you and then create the necessary adjustments to accommodate all of them.

This requires some sacrifices – but not at the expense of your happiness. Instead, consider these as healthy sacrifices that can help you achieve a happier and more rewarding life.

Delegate Tasks

Spare yourself from stress by delegating some tasks to those who can do them more effectively. Whether at work or at home, acknowledge what others can do for you and try to be resourceful.

For example; delegate some tasks at work to give others a chance to show off their potential, buy prepared meals if you’re too busy to cook, hire a miami public adjuster to work on your insurance claims and buy presents online to save time and energy.

By delegating tasks, you can have more time for your relationship and other priorities.

Positivity

Fill your mind with positive thoughts and this would radiate in your character. People will begin to see you as someone that they would always love to have around – and that includes your partner.

As a result, your priorities can have their own way of taking care of themselves as long as you’re around. It is like a form of positive reinforcement.

Even while you’re in a relationship, take some time to attend to your personal needs and learn how to practice self-love.

Self-Love

By loving yourself and by taking care of your needs, you can give your best in everything that you do and to everyone that’s important in your life. This means taking some time out from your commitments and obligations to look after yourself and to attend to your personal needs.

Signs of a Healthy Relationship

Have you ever wondered why some relationships are able to stand the test of time while others fail along the way?

There are many reasons that account to this – some can be avoided while others are inevitable. However, it all adds up to the 5 important factors which clearly determine a healthy relationship.

1. Communication

Communication is the most important element in a relationship. It is the only way to understand your partner and to acknowledge each other needs.

Constant communication also helps in developing trust and confidence in each other. It resolves conflicts and facilitates in managing mutual differences.

Communication is the cornerstone of every happy and healthy relationship.

2. Appreciation

Appreciating your partner is usually one of the most neglected aspects in a relationship. Sometimes, we fail to remind our partners how much we appreciate them and what they’re doing for us.

And in some cases, this could lead to a trail of doubt and uncertainty. Therefore, constant validation is important not just for reassurance but to make our partners feel good and important as well.

3. Time

Spending quality time with each other is the greatest form of love and commitment.

When was the last time you dropped everything just to take your partner out for a date? Time that’s well-spent with your partner contributes to a solid bond and a strong sense of security for both of you.

4. Thoughtfulness

 Small gifts and gestures to remind our partners how much we care can mean a lot to them. Take the time to know what your partner wants.

If your partner loves to travel, an out-of-town trip at the beach would be an excellent idea. And if she loves bags, surprise her with a authentic Dolce and Gabbana bag that’s trending nowadays.

Or if she loves flowers, send her a nice bouquet of roses. Don’t wait for a special occasion to cook for her. Sometimes, a simple text message or a handwritten note could be more than enough to express genuine thoughtfulness.

A small act of thoughtfulness can go a long way in expressing to your partner how much you love and care for them.

5. Intimacy

One of the major elements of a healthy relationship is intimacy. Couples who spend a lot of intimate moments together are usually the happiest, most secure and content with each other.

Intimacy doesn’t always equate to sex. For some couples, it could mean constant hugging, kissing, holding hands and just being there for each other. While for others, sexual activities are essential to maintain a strong bond.

Still, regardless of how couples choose to express themselves, intimacy plays a vital role in keeping a relationship happy, rewarding and healthy.

Tips for a Successful Relationship

Before leaving Aquitaine and after completing all my graduation requirements, I had the pleasure of having a nice chat with one of my college professors.

He said that he would not give me “tips” but rather “principles” in life.

When I asked him why, he said that “tips” are just previews of much bigger information like “a tip of the iceberg”. Tips can have different interpretations; whereas, “principles” are ideas or full concepts that serve as fundamentals.

We can all agree that modern relationships defy any fundamentals, ideals and concepts. Love is love regardless of how it’s expressed.

Love is love regardless of how it is expressed. We all have our own unique ways of showing what we feel to that one person that matters most to us.

Hence I’m providing tips for a successful relationship rather than principles. This would allow couples to come up with “their own interpretation” that matches their relationship best.

Be Honest

Say what you feel and mean it. If there is something that your partner needs to know, say it with all honesty.

Stay Loyal

Unless you’re in an open relationship or practicing polyamory, it is important to stay loyal to your partner and to give your whole commitment into your relationship.

Show Respect

Respect your partner regardless of your differences and opposing views. If there are certain practices that your partner observes which you’re unaccustomed to, don’t criticize them.

Be Sensitive

Think about your partner’s feelings all the time. If there are some topics and issues that your partner refuses to talk about, be sensitive and understanding enough to wait for the right time to discuss them.

Control Your Temper

Avoid heated arguments and try not to raise your voice whenever you’re dealing with conflicts. Don’t hurt your partner emotionally or physically. And lastly, never use harsh or hurtful words. Once you let them out, there is no way you can take them back.

To avoid saying hurtful words to your partner during heated arguments, take some time off to cool down, to collect your thoughts and to gather your emotions.

Take Some Time Out

Whenever things get heated up and you’re finding it hard to communicate in a calm manner, take some time out to cool down. Try to keep yourself together first and gather your emotions. Once you regain your composure, go back and talk things through.

Learn to Apologize

Admit your mistakes and learn to say “I’m sorry”. There are three ways to express that you mean it.

First, apologize. Second, commit not to do it again. And third, ask your partner what you can do to make things right. Most people miss the third part. So try yourself not to.

Final Words

Relationships do not require a lot of work as long as you’re being honest and trustworthy. If you love your partner and you’re willing to commit to your relationship, everything else becomes manageable.

Keep in mind that there’s no such thing as a perfect relationship. All couples go through difficult times.

However, overcoming these challenges is just half the battle. Staying together despite of everything accounts for the other half.

So don’t feel discouraged whenever things get rough. As long as you’re willing to hold on to your relationship, there is always a chance that you’ll get through it. Just have faith in each other.