How the Three C’s of Relationships Can Help You

Use These 11 Tips to Build Stronger Bonds

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, relationships are on everyone’s mind. Whether you celebrate Valentine’s with a partner, family, friends or by yourself, it can be an excellent time to reflect on all relationships in your life. Healthy relationships have many benefits, from improved mental health to physical well-being. Better Health says, “social connectedness generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional and physical wellbeing.” 

Use the three C’s of healthy relationships to guide you in building stronger bonds:

Communication

1.Be genuine

Most of us have different versions of ourselves we allow different people to see. Some people only get a glimpse of who we are, while others know us completely. It can be difficult to show someone the truth, but having a healthy relationship means being your true self. Sara Stanizai, licensed marriage and family therapist, says, “Authenticity means you show your good side and bad side in a relationship, instead of a curated version of yourself.” Showing your good and bad sides allow others to understand you better. It creates opportunities to have deeper and more open conversations.

2. Become a better listener.

Being a better listener is just as crucial as being genuine because it helps you understand your partner better. Entrepreneur suggests, “listening will allow you to build authentic relationships where you have come to know the individual or you have come to understand their perspectives or goals.” Often people make the mistake of listening to respond instead of listening to hear. When you listen to hear, you notice not only the words someone is saying but how they really feel about what they’re saying. As a result, you will become more in tune with your partner and understand their emotions and perspectives.

3. Have open and honest conversations

When you feel that you and your partner can be genuine and listen, it opens the door to having open and honest conversations. According to Helpguide.org, honest conversations make it easier to express needs, fears and desires and can increase trust. When you have these conversations, you can tell each other anything without fear or judgment and get the feedback and help you need. In addition, honesty develops stronger bonds and deeper trust in one another.

4. Resolve conflict

Having open and honest communication includes being able to discuss and resolve conflicts together. Not being able to resolve disputes can create many problems within the relationship. Verywell Mind states, “Sustained, unresolved conflict can create tension at home or at work, can erode the strength and satisfaction of relationships, and can even make people feel physically sick or in pain.” So, resolving conflicts can help you avoid unnecessary pain and stress. 

Compromise

5. Everyone has the right intentions

Compromise is not about agreeing and giving up all of your needs or wants to end an argument. It is not about stubbornly waiting for the other person to cave so you can get your way. According to thesource.com, consistent, one-sided compromise can lead to feelings of being taken advantage of, exhaustion, frustration or resentment. Instead, compromise should be to find a solution that works for everyone. 

6. Compromise is mutual

Moreover, it’s best to compromise equally. MasterClass defines compromise as “finding the middle ground between you and your partner’s wishes, habits, or preferences.” When you compromise, it should be equally beneficial to all parties. A compromise consists of a balance between give and take. Each person should give some to get some.

7. You don’t lose yourself.

Compromising means you don’t give up a significant part of yourself. Naya Clinics suggests healthy compromises should increase your authenticity and that “In a healthy, balanced relationship, the connection and identity of who you are should be enhanced, not diminished.” If a compromise means you or your partner have to give up a part of their identity, it is not a fair compromise. Changing for a relationship means growing together, not stunting one another.

Commitment 

8. You support each other

Commitment in a relationship means supporting each other. Romper asserts, “Although it may not always be what you want to hear, real support means saying the truth with the best of intentions.” Support is about making each other better and learning to improve together. Supporting someone may look like encouraging them to follow their dreams. However, it might also be telling them when it’s time to throw in the towel and providing them the help they need.

9. There is a mutual effort

While supporting each other is an integral part of commitment, it has to be mutual. When you’re the only one putting effort into the relationship, you eventually become burnt out and want to give up. According to theknot.com, having a healthy and committed relationship provides a feeling that both people are pulling equal weight. Regardless if you are looking at a romantic or platonic relationship, the effort by both parties should be equal. Be honest with your partner and tell them if they need to put in more effort for an equal and fair relationship.

10. Boundaries are respected

Relationships are a lot of work, so setting boundaries and respecting them is essential. Eugene Therapy explains, “Boundaries are an integral part of healthy relationships because they help to maintain a balance between you and your partner.” Setting boundaries and discussing them set a precedent for what should be expected in a relationship. Respecting and honoring those boundaries helps build trust and grow your relationship.

11. You trust each other

Entrepreneur states that long-lasting relationships are built on trust, “which is created from credibility, reliability and intimacy.” Credibility and reliability go hand-in-hand when it comes to trust. The more someone can show up and stay true to their word, the more credible and reliable they are. Intimacy is about the closeness between you and your partner and knowing that you have someone to go to for the good and the bad. When you combine these, you build trust and strengthen the bond within your relationship.