All relationships go through phases, and there will be good times and challenges. When you recognize that your relationship is in a rough spot, take heart. Great relationships don’t happen by luck. There are specific skills and actions that strengthen our relationships.

When relationships are struggling, it’s often a sign that they have been neglected. Thus, to strengthen a struggling relationship, you must make it a top priority of your time and energy. Relationships are like living things: they are either growing or dying. Relationships grow and flourish when we invest and nurture them.

An important thing to accept is that disappointment happens in every relationship. Disappointment happens when our expectations don’t match reality. Two people will always have differences in their expectations. This means that disappointments will happen in every relationship. Instead of focusing on the negative, choose to focus on the parts that have fulfilled your expectations and even brought unplanned blessings.

One of the things that damage relationships is derogatory comments, insults, and belittling remarks. The words we use are powerful. When you put down your partner or your relationship, you are causing damage. Choose to break habits that damage the relationship, especially when you feel frustrated and disappointed. Use words that show respect, love, and hope. Plant the seeds you want to grow.

Stonewalling is a passive-aggressive tactic that may seem neutral, but is very damaging. Whenever you ignore, stall, and refuse to participate, you are stonewalling. It is a power-play intended to break down the opposition. It keeps the relationship in a “me versus you” dynamic. For a relationship to survive, it must be an “us against the world” commitment.

Playing the blame game is a game no one wins. Even if you are successful in blaming all your problems on your partner, you still are stuck with all those problems and the feelings that come with them. The only way to begin transforming your problems into solutions is to take full responsibility for the parts you play. Stop blaming and start creating the relationship you want.

You need to accept that you cannot change your partner. The key to changing any relationship is to fully accept that you cannot change anyone except yourself. The sooner you fully accept this as truth, the sooner you will begin to heal and grow together. All of us long to be loved and accepted for who we are. When your partner feels that you are not ashamed or disappointed, then he/she may feel supported to choose to change. Meanwhile, focus on changing and improving yourself.

Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the qualities you love and respect in your partner. Remember the moments and reasons why this person became special and important to you. Trust that all those things are still true. Close your eyes and hold those moments in your heart. Allow yourself to feel again the love, pride, and respect that you felt. Return to these moments to revitalize your commitment to strengthening your relationship.

Psychological studies have proven that once we become convinced of an idea, our brain will ignore and discredit information that contradicts what we believe. When we are feeling hurt and disappointed, we have a tendency to turn our partner into the villain. But if your relationship is going to have a chance to turn around, you must make room for the possibility that your partner can be your greatest ally. Believe that your partner has good intentions, but the information he/she is acting on is incorrect or the impact is hurtful.

Forgiveness means you commit to letting go of the hurt of the past to allow for new possibilities in the future. Forgiveness does not mean you give permission for someone to mistreat you. It means that you accept that we are all doing the best we can. Surely if we knew better, we would do better. When we disappoint and hurt each other, it’s not because we want to. Forgive that your partner hasn’t learned better ways of loving you yet.

Being fully present means that when your partner speaks, you don’t assume you already know what he/she thinks. You begin to listen for what you haven’t understood yet. You become a curious detective that sincerely wants to learn what’s going on. This is a completely different intent than listening to prove that you are right.

Tell your partner that you want to hear and understand them. “I know in the past I may have not done a good job of listening to you. I see that this has hurt you and me. I must not fully understand what is going on. I want to. I want to understand who you are and what matters to you. I will keep listening as long as it takes.”

Ask your partner what makes them feel loved and respected. We all have different rules for what needs to happen for us to feel loved and respected. Some people need to be told “I love you” many times every day. Others need to have one-on-one time for at least twenty minutes each day. A hand pat from time to time will suffice for others.

Partners can fall into damaging patterns. A common pattern is the pursuer/withdrawer cycle. One partner will attack, nag, or chatter in a way to provoke a reaction from the other. Then the other will withdraw, stonewall, or leave to avoid the discomfort. The first partner will then pursue more, driving the second partner deeper into withdrawal. Obviously, this will only lead to frustration by all. The only way out is to recognize what’s going on and talk about it together. Name it, claim it, and change.

Going along with things that you don’t truly want sets you up to feel disappointed and resentment later. You are responsible when you do that to yourself. Your partner cannot read your mind. Be honest and set boundaries that will serve everyone in the long run.

You have the right to say what you think and feel. A relationship built on false information intended to please your partner will eventually fall apart. Strong relationships are built on trust and respect, which can only happen when both partners are honest with each other.

We are often tempted to protect our partners by keeping secrets from them. Still, this positive intention often falls apart as time passes and unexpected consequences come to light. As much as you can, try to be as open as possible.

We all have limiting beliefs. They are the small voices that whisper in the dark, trying to protect us but keeping us stuck in fear. Your limiting beliefs are not your partner’s fault. You had those beliefs long before your partner came into your life. Take responsibility for your own limiting beliefs.

In conclusion, relationships are not easy, and they come with their ups and downs. But with the right skills and actions, you can nurture and grow your relationship. Make your relationship a top priority, accept that disappointment happens in every relationship, don’t make derogatory comments or play the blame game, and learn how to forgive. Focus on the qualities you love and respect in your partner, believe that your partner has good intentions, be fully present and learn how to be a good listener. Draw boundaries, respect yourself and express your thoughts/feelings openly, and beware of keeping secrets from your partner. Take responsibility for your own limiting beliefs, and remember, change starts with you.