Every year around this time there’s a familiar sentiment. With the new year fast approaching people are often drawn to the idea of doing things a little differently. All the things that were planned and hoped for during the current year get lumped into the new one. Work less. Lose weight. Achieve goals. With the new year comes resolutions, the hope for change. And yet, so many people avoid and even fear change. When it comes to relationships, for instance, change almost seems like a dirty word. As much as we don’t like to admit it, most of us are habitual creatures. We like to know what to expect, so when change happens, as it often does, it becomes difficult to know how to deal with it. Here are some tips on how to deal with change within a relationship:
Expect a Change in Yourself
It should go without saying that both you and your partner will change at some point during your relationship. With time comes knowledge, experience and wisdom, and as a result subtle or not so subtle adjustments in your personality will occur. Humans are very adaptable, and as each new year passes by we are molded by the things we see and do, and the new people we meet. We should never expect to remain the same people we’ve always been. Personal change is good and refreshing, and it can often change the dynamics in your relationship. This does not have to be a bad thing, and in fact it could be the best thing for your relationship. The best thing to do is to know how to adapt to the changes in yourself and consequently in the relationship.
Embrace Change
Once you have been able to identify change, you have to learn how to embrace and appreciate it for what it is. Being fearful or resentful of the changes happening within yourself or your relationship stunts the growth process and can become unhealthy. Change is perhaps one of the constants in life, no matter who you are. How you deal with change is a mark of maturity. It could be useful to talk to your partner about your concerns, and that can help you both to feel comfortable with the new aspects of your relationship. When you both embrace and accept change things will bode much better for you.
Always Keep Your Priorities in Mind
There is always the possibility that change in a relationship can lead to unhappiness, particularly if one person is open and willing to accept it and the other is not. While working to maintain your relationship is crucial, no one should hold you back from your goals, plans and destiny. If you and your partner are not on the same page, it may be time to make another change in your life, and move on. It may be a painful and could even seem like a drastic move, but we often hold on to things for far too long because we are unsure of what something different could be like. Do not continue to make that mistake.
Change can be a beautiful, freeing thing. You just have to be willing to take the first step.