'Best Of' Relationship Tips |
| 1. Count to Ten |
| If you find self control slipping, take a break. The aim is to resolve the situation, not to "win now". If you can really resolve it tomorrow night, that´s better than screaming all night and making it worse. |
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| 2. Respond to Every Email |
| If you get email from a dating service, don´t jump to conclusions based on just the email. Some people are very nervous when making that first contact, and might not express themselves very well. Take the time to go back and review the person´s profile. See what they are really like. Next, write them to say hello, even if you don´t fall in love with their photo at first glance. You never know what perfect matches might lurk beneath an imperfect photo ... |
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| 3. Plan a Surprise! |
| Part of the allure of romance is that you´re pleasantly surprised by something special. If you always get your love roses, bring daisies instead. If you always buy a card, make one by hand. It doesn´t need to be expensive to be special. Sometimes the best gifts are ones that come from the heart and not from the wallet. |
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| 4. Use Candlelight |
| Candles are traditionally romantic items, and just having candles around can make an event seem much more intimate. The light is soft and gentle, and even the aromas you choose can be soothing and calming. |
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| 5. *Fun is Important!* |
| If you survey couples that have stayed together for years and years, and ask them what helped them stay together that long, most will say that they *enjoy* each other! It´s human nature, you stay if you´re happy. Learn how to make your own relationship fun, so both you and your partner enjoy it for years to come! |
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| 6. Distance Yourself |
| Often you´ll get wound up in an argument because you take every statement as a personal affront - even if the comment was not meant that way. Also, people who are fighting often say things they don´t mean, and say things out of defensiveness. Take a step back and consider things objectively. If things are simply too hot to handle at the moment, call for a timeout and come back to talk again later. |
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| 7. Know Yourself |
| The first step in finding a balance in a relationship is to figure out what each person truly wants. Sit down and know what *you* want out of the relationship before taking the step of figuring out how the two of you will merge your needs. |
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| 8. Explore Food |
| It´s been played up in movies, but it´s really an exercise in trust. Blindfold your partner and find an arrangement of foods you feel they will enjoy. Choose them with different textures, aromas, and flavors. Feed each one to your partner, letting him or her savor your choices. |
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| 9. Learn their interests |
| Older people usually have interests that they have set aside because they did not have the time or ability to pursue them. Help them rekindle those interests, taking them to shows, buying them equipment, or helping them enroll in classes. By sharing in their interests, you help validate that they still can learn and grow, and be interesting to others. |
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| 10. Love at First Sight |
There really isn´t love at first sight. At first sight all you can tell is the clothes they chose from their closet, and the way their parents created their genetic code seem pleasing to you. In all likelihood they remind you of someone else, or of a movie character. That´s hardly something to base a relationship on.
Wait until you really get to know what makes this person unique. Find out their hopes and wishes, and not just what you hope and wish they might be like. When you really get to know someone, and accept them despite their flaws, that is when true love sets in. |
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| 11. Don´t Accept Name Calling |
| There is only one purpose of name-calling, and that is to demean the person you´re calling a name. It makes it easier to dislike the person, to not empathize. Do not allow name-calling in your arguments. If your partner starts calling you names, take a time out and agree to discuss the issue again later. |
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| 12. Romantic Time Travel |
| To rekindle the lust that your relationship started with, take a trip back in relationship time by digging through long-ago photos of yourselves. Also, hanging out with solo girlfriends sometimes helps because you listen to single pals gripe and groan about how tough it is to find a decent man. |
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| 13. Take It Slow |
| There´s no rush! If you need more time to decide, take it. If your partner pressures you, that´s not the right partner for you. A true, lasting commitment is one you BOTH strongly believe in, after having taken your time to consider it fully. |
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| 14. Smoke Signals |
| Create a special signal to say "I love you" when in public. A whistle, or a unique smile will let your love know you´re thinking about them. |
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| 15. Flattery Will Get You Everywhere |
| Compliment your mate often. Tell them all the things you love and appreciate about them. It´s important for them to hear them from you. |
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Additional 'Best Of' Relationship Tips 1 - 15 >> of 21 |
