Relationship Rut: Where to from here?

Since then you may have survived meeting the family, going on holiday together and a few fights along the way, but where do you go from here? Once you’ve passed these minor milestones, the next steps forward in your relationship can seem more like leaps. Here’s what you need to consider before you take your relationship to the next level…

 

While your relationship may be strong during the brief periods you currently spend with each other, living with someone every day is a different matter. When moving in with someone you will often discover sides to them that you weren’t previously aware of, so make sure you know each other well before calling the moving company.

 

Moving in together can effectively change your relationship from “you and me” to “us” overnight, so you may also want to consider if you’re ready to merge your lives completely.

On the plus side, moving in together can also help you to build a stronger relationship, with the added bonus of spending more time with the one you love!

Getting married means more than a sparkly rock on your finger - it’s a lifelong commitment! If you’re going to be spending the rest of your lives together, you’ll not only need love, but a solid friendship, respect and shared goals and ambitions.

 

When considering whether or not to get married, take a look at how your relationship has withstood the tests of illness, financial difficulty, personal crisis and disagreements.

If your relationship has remained strong and consistent throughout times of hardship, you are likely to have a solid foundation for marriage.

The decision to have children is not to be taken lightly. Remember that your number one priority is the child, so ask yourself if you’ll be bringing them into a happy and stable home. It’s also important to sit down and crunch some numbers to figure out whether or not you are financially capable of caring for a child.

 

Having children can often put a strain on you and your partner, so make sure that your relationship is strong enough to withstand the extra pressure, and that you are both
prepared to take on the responsibility. Before making up your mind, you and your partner may also want to spend some time talking to a friend or family member who has children, so that they can shed some light on the realities of parenting.

 

Remember that these leaps forward in your relationship may seem challenging, but by providing love and support for one another you can achieve almost anything you put your minds to!