Relationships Do's and Don'ts

1. Don't leave your BF/GF hanging out to dry once you are honest about how you feel, whatever the situation might be. They deserve to know what's going on because they care and want to help out if they can, and you shouldn't have to burden yourself more than necessary.

2. Remind him/her of how much you love and care about them and make sure that he/she knows that you appreciate them. Also be sure that you are making time to be with your S.O., even if things at work are getting swamped. There's always a way to balance those two things out! 

3. Don't be too prideful. I know that we sometimes want to handle things on our own, and that's okay, but don't keep using that as an excuse to not let your partner get too close.  

4. Work together as a team! If you and your partner are always bickering about how certain situations should be handled, be firm but also understanding of each other's point of view and work on finding a compromise. 

5. Don't give away too much of yourself to someone who doesn't care or only halfway cares. This is usually the one sign that people fail to acknowledge when they're in a relationship that seems fine on the outside, but is dysfunctional on the inside. 

6. Know and remember your own worth. It's hard to keep this in mind when you're in love with someone who is stuck, isn't changing, or is just lost/confused in his or her own ways, but you can't keep making excuses on your partner's behalf. Recognize that you can only do so much to help and that you need to let go at some point if the relationship isn't changing direction. 

7. Don't expect too much out of someone or make them jump through hoops to earn your love. Love should come naturally and you shouldn't force people to be around you. This also goes hand-in-hand with being a bully to your partner. NEVER, under any circumstance, make your S.O. feel small and inferior in any way. Violence is never the answer, whether if that would be physical or verbal. People have feelings and that should always be taken into consideration.

8. Accept your S.O. for who he/she is. Recognize that they are human and deserve to be respected and cared for. And while I understand that we all have our limits, loving people unconditionally is what helps your partner to realize just how genuine your soul is. No one should take that kind of love for granted. 

9. Don't assume that you know what your partner needs or wants, especially if you don't know anything about them. It's important that you continue getting to know your S.O. so that you can plan your dates according to his or her personal taste. It's always said that it's the thought that counts, so pay attention and listen when they're talking about their interests/hobbies. 

10. Remember that no one in this world is perfect. People are flawed and are prone to making mistakes, but it's up to you to decide if having that one person in your life is worth it in the end. Do you love your partner enough to stay even when things get messy between the two of you? Where is your heart at and how much effort are you putting into this relationship? Remember these questions whenever conflict arises and do your best to stay committed! It takes work on both sides to sustain a good, healthy relationship.