Have you ever pondered upon what the word ‘ship’ in ‘relationship’ means? Well, it refers to the fact that a relationship can either float or sink. This may not be a standard definition but it’s just an insightful way to think about the effects of pressure in a relationship.
Having a romantic partner in your life can be great, but the love comes with a bunch of pressure that can get in the way of your contentment and happiness.
The pressure in a relationship can either be internal or external. An internal pressure arises from things like differences in culture, age, lack of understanding, empathy or unrealistic expectations, whereas external pressures arise from people or situations outside the relationship. These can be the pressure of work, family, financial insecurities, or disturbed health.
Feeling relationship pressure can come to you in varied forms. As teenagers, the pressure mostly revolves around having sex before we are ready, as adults the list of relationship pressures gets longer. It includes the pressure of getting married, having kids or even to move in together. We can go on, but we’d like to spare you the anxiety for now.
We are here with a list of ways that can help you in coping with the pressures of a relationship. Have a look.
Relationship pressures are quite common and can be dealt with patience and maturity. A relationship demands adjustments and compromises, and you need to prepare yourself for the same.
Dealing with the pressures of a relationship can get relatively easier if you have your partner to help you out. Do not hesitate to discuss your problems with your partner, because a partner is meant to share your happiness and sadness.
#1. Communication
They said that phones and airplanes will help us reduce the distances, then why do we still have communication gaps in our relationships? Why have they not invented in any such device that could just read the mind of our partners and let us know what’s cooking in their beautiful brains?
Do you have any idea about how to achieve the unachievable? We do. Just talk. Yes, communicate with your partner about every possible thing if you wish your relationship to afloat amidst the relationship pressures.
Your partner is the only one that can help you manage the pressures that you are dealing with in your relationship. Because how do you expect them to know what’s wrong when they have no idea about it? If something is bugging you, then they should be aware of it. Communicating your problems will let you two resolve the problems together.
#2. Healthy Relationship = Compromises!
Yes, we did the math for you. Every successful and healthy relationship demands a few compromises on both ends. You cannot always have what you want. Talk to your partner and establish some common grounds that work for both of you.
A relationship is best defined as a compromise that two people make because of the love and respect they share with each other. Things might be difficult to accept when someone close to you does not like the same things as you do, but compromises become easier with practice.
Although, by saying that one should accept to compromise in a relationship, we are not encouraging you to get pressurized. Do not ever confuse the relationship pressures as a compromise. A compromise is made on a mutual consent whereas pressure in a relationship to do certain things is forced and hence unacceptable.
We make compromises in a relationship to keep our partners happy, and our relationship healthy. Dealing with relationship pressures is a sign of an unhealthy relationship that you should sincerely not follow.
#3. Keep Reassuring Your Partner
No one in the world does not like to hear how much their partners love them. If you know that you and your partner are on the same lines and feel the same way for each other, there is no way that your relationship won’t flow smoothly and will face issues like jealousy and insecurities.
It is natural for you to feel unable to express yourself when you are dealing with pressure in your relationship. But, it clearly does not imply that you’ll compromise on your relationship just because handling the pressure in your relationship has been taking a toll on you. Try talking to your partner about it and keep reassuring them of your love for them. It is so because losing the trust of your partner or them falling out of love with you will only add up to your problems.
You and your partner are a team, and you should deal with all problems together. When stuck in a difficult situation, it is important for you to have your partner beside you.
#4. Rethink Your Perspective
A long-term relationship does go through many hiccups and rigidity to changes is one of them. When you are involved with the same person for a very long time, you like to keep things the same way because you are used to them. But when you feel the pressures in your relationship, it is important to give things a new perspective and look at your relationship with different eyes.
You can ask your friends or family or anyone who is not directly involved in your relationship to reflect on a different perspective of your relationship. It may help in reducing the pressure that you face in your relationship. The ability to see the situation in a different light may provide you with better ways to deal with the relationship pressures.
#5. Spend Some Time Apart, If Need Be
Sometimes the best thing for a couple is to spend some time away from each other. It is so because you only miss someone when they are far away. The worst thing you can do to deal with the pressures in your relationship is to work them out when either of you is angry or upset.
It’s almost impossible to work things out in a mature fashion when one of you is not in the right frame of mind. You’re more likely to say something unkind that you’ll surely regret later. Try to change the topic of conversation, or walk away. Revisit the topic only when both of you are calm and prepared.
#6. Respect Your Differences
Differences in culture, religion or opinion are bound to happen in a relationship and are mostly the source of difficulties and pressures in your relationship. We have a little advice for you, instead of rejecting the unfamiliar opinions of your partner make an effort to understand and embrace them.
Differences between partners can sometimes make things more interesting because they are unpredictable. You might be facing the relationship pressures due to these differences. Try to either solve these differences or learn to accommodate them in your life.
#7. The Deal Breakers
Talking about the relationship pressures, we’d like to throw some light on the emotional or physical abuse that a lot of people go through in their relationships. Let us tell you that pressures in a relationship are way too different from abuses which are completely unjustified and unacceptable in the eyes of the law.
Seek for help if you are in an unhealthy relationship because it can become unsafe and life-threatening. There are some other things that you should consider if you are in an unhealthy relationship such as disrespecting you, dishonesty and disregarding your opinions.
Do not make the mistake of considering them as a compromise; just get out of the relationship. It’s not worth it.
#8. Deal With Your Family Problems
If your family doesn’t approve of your relationship, you need to ask yourself if “It is because they worry that you might get hurt? Or maybe they simply don’t understand your relationship and how you feel about it?”
Be clear about what you think, feel and want. Describe your situation in a way that will make your family understand it better. If you’re honest, calm and respectful, the chances are more that your parents will agree and believe in what you say. There are times when disapproval from parents becomes the main reason for you feeling the pressure in your relationship. Try to understand their point of view as it will surely make them more willing to see yours.
Parents won't always see things the way you see them and therefore if you act maturely. They’ll be more willing and prepared to understand your views.
Have you ever dealt with any relationship pressure? How did you cope with the situation? Let us know in the comments section below.
10 Opinions
Hmmm… yes right, relationships are all about compromises and dealing with pressures. I learned it the hard way. I was just 22 when I was in a serious relationship and thing shad been going smooth. We had been dating each other for the past two years and were enjoying being together thoroughly.
I just started off with my job, and he enrolled himself in a master’s course. Our families were well aware of our relationship and were totally cool with it. But them being cool didn’t work well with me. My parents wanted me to move in with my boyfriend. Like really?
Not that I didn’t see a future with him or wasn’t sure about the relationship, but I was just 22. How do you expect a young little girl to just know that this” one” is the “one” for her? I was young and I freaked out at the very idea of moving in. Living together is a huge deal and basically is an idea of permanence. I totally freaked out and could not talk about it with my partner.
This was probably the biggest mistake I made thinking that he’d think low of me. I mean get into my shoes and try understanding my situation. How can I tell my boyfriend that the idea of moving in with him is freaking me out? Won’t he be disturbed? Confused? Annoyed? Pissed? What if he would want to breakup? I could not take the risk of losing him because of my confusions.
So, as part of the relationship pressures that we all go through at some point or the other, I agreed to move in with my boyfriend. Thankfully, things have been fine. We have worked it out smoothly, without pressurising each other for anything. It’s been two years now and my partner is done with his course and will be soon starting with his new job. I am pretty much settled in mine. Life’s been fine and we enjoy each other’s company.
All I can say is that do not give in to the pressures of a relationships because they can so ruin things for you. I was lucky enough to sustain mine but I still miss out on all the sneaking out and crazy stuff we could have done as young adults who were madly in love. One should enjoy every phase of live at the right age and right time. I agreed to move in to make my partner and my family happy, but you shouldn’t if you are not very sure about it.
There have been times when I regret taking such a huge decision without being absolutely sure about it, and I sincerely wish none of you do it. I did tell my partner about the same and he was shocked to know the truth. Both of us are glad that things were just fine for us because had it been the otherwise God knows how I would deal with the situation.
The article is quite on fleek when it comes to dealing with relationship pressures and I hope my experience too would be of some help. Thanks for bringing up such sensitive issues; I hope I get to read more such stuff on your website.