How To Build Relationships: Quotes To Help Set A Foundation For Romance

Romantic relationships are built from the ground up. Even if they begin as friendships, both people had to take the time to get to know one another at some point. How the relationship starts off can set the tone for the rest of the couple’s time together, so it can be important to set a foundation that is strong and healthy. While every couple is different and goes about starting their lives together in unique ways, there are some qualities that couples may want to prioritize and cultivate together. Different quotes and sayings can remind you and your partner of what’s important in a relationship and help inspire you to foster these traits within your own partnership. Keep reading to get advice and quotes from others that may help ensure a happy, healthy, and successful relationship.

Friction doesn't mean failure

"Don't give up at the first signs of friction: only through clear communication, flexibility, and willingness to adapt can you find a relationship that will weather the storms of life." - Tom Miles

While the divorce rate in the United States has been declining, many couples still end up splitting when they can’t reconcile the problems in their marriage. While the numbers differ based on the source, they all tend to hover between 40 percent and 50 percent, as indicated by the American Psychological Association. As couples divorce and remarry, their chances of getting divorced go up even further. 

When a couple experiences difficult times, they may be tempted to think it's over rather than working through the issues present. They might assume they must have chosen the wrong person to be with. However, friction is a normal part of relationships, especially as the relationship moves through the different stages of love. Even couples that have been married for a long time can have some type of friction. If you quit at the first sign of friction, you may have a more difficult time finding a person that you want to stay with long-term.

Healthy relationships are based on trust

"He who does not trust enough will not be trusted." - Lao Tzu

The foundation of a romantic relationship is trust; this is often the tenant that every other aspect of the partnership is built on. If you don't trust your partner and they don't trust you, it can be challenging for either one of you to want to continue moving forward with each other. Further, trust can affect other parts of the relationship like communication, intimacy, and honesty. 

That being said, trust isn't something that you can normally give to someone else right away. There's usually a process involved in building trust within your relationship, and it can be important to prioritize the steps needed to get there. By showing your partner through your words and actions that they can trust you, you can invite them to do the same for you. This may help the other pieces of the relationship fall into place.

Relationships aren’t always easy

"I'm not telling you it is going to be easy-I am telling you it is going to be worth it." - Art Williams

Relationships are often full of challenges that must be worked through with grit and perseverance. When you stick with your relationship even through difficult times, it can help build it into something even stronger. Couples can often work through problems on their own, but some couples may turn to professional intervention when their conflict feels too burdensome to handle alone. In either case, what matters is that partners know how to repair their relationship when necessary. 

Love helps you work past the hard times

"Relationships include fights, jealousy, arguments, faith, tears, disagreements, but a real relationship fights through all that with love." – Unknown

Without love, many relationships fall apart during difficult times. However, couples who are willing to work past conflict with perseverance, empathy, and compassion can often come out on the other end stronger than ever. When you build a relationship on a foundation of love, this may sustain you through disagreements and challenges that arise in your relationship. Instead of splitting apart at the first sign of conflict, you can work with your partner to become more resilient individually and as a couple. 

Communication is key

"He can't read your mind. So, take a moment to let him know how you feel." – Unknown

You may have heard that communication can be key to a healthy relationship, and this is often true. Without effective communication, a couple may experience unnecessary problems. Further, they may be unable to work through the issues that arise between them. In more severe cases, partners may resort to lying, withholding information, becoming defensive, or raising their voices at one another. 

Since your partner cannot read your mind, it can be important to be open and honest about your feelings. If you remain closed off about your desires and needs, it can cause resentment to build up in the relationship. To avoid this, it can be essential to learn how to actively listen and talk to your significant other. Even when it’s difficult to be honest about your emotions, having this skill can help ensure your relationship is built on a foundation of trust, intimacy, and vulnerability. So, try to get in the habit of communicating what you need and want and avoid making your partner guess. 

The importance of forgiveness

"There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love." - Bryant H. McGill

Couples often have to forgive one another to make their relationship work. You might need to forgive your partner regularly for minor mistakes, or you may need to forgive them for serious lapses in judgment. While not everything must be forgiven, and it’s acceptable to have boundaries around certain areas, forgiveness can still be an important aspect of any romantic relationship. When you and your partner are willing to put forgiveness at the center of your relationship, you can both move past mistakes with more empathy and understanding. 

Successful relationships need teamwork

"Let's not forget it's you and me vs. the problem… Not you vs. me." - Steve Maraboli

Relationships are made up of two people, meaning both individuals need to put in the effort it takes to build a strong and healthy foundation as a couple. If the relationship is one-sided and only one partner is trying to fix or save it, it may be difficult for it to continue. Non-reciprocal relationships can be emotionally draining and cause one or both people to feel alone. 

Instead of looking at your partner as an enemy, try to work as a team to solve the problems that arise in your relationship. When it’s you two versus the world instead of each other, it can make challenges easier to overcome. 

It all starts with you

"Far too many people are looking for the right person, instead of trying to be the right person." - Gloria Steinem

It can be easy to get caught up in blaming your partner for the things that go wrong in your relationship. However, part of creating a healthy foundation for you and your partner can be accepting responsibility for your role in the commitment. Rather than focusing all your energy on what your partner is or isn’t doing, try to shift your concentration to what you’re doing. When you choose to work on being a healthy, happy, and secure person yourself, your relationship may experience more success as a result. As you and your partner each focus on becoming the best versions of yourselves, you can build a healthy foundation on which your relationship can grow and thrive.

Remember to be yourself

"Fall in love with someone who makes you glad to be different." - Sue Zhao

It can be difficult to have a healthy relationship when you cannot be yourself around your significant other. When someone is right for you, they allow you to feel comfortable being yourself— flaws and all. Often, when you find this person, they encourage you to be a better version of yourself as well. Remember that this can go both ways. Allowing your partner to be their complete selves can let them do the same for you. Even if you two have differences or aren’t alike in certain ways, it can be important to accept them as they are, and for them to return the favor. Being comfortable in your own skin can help set the foundation for a secure, healthy relationship.

Online counseling with Regain

Whether you and your partner have already faced problems, or you want to be able to handle them when they come, confiding in a therapist can be useful. Couples counseling can help you build valuable skills for a healthy relationship. Improving your communication skills and identifying potential problem areas may allow you and your partner to create a strong foundation for your relationship. If you’d like to talk to a counselor to improve your relationship or help get it off to a positive start, Regain has online therapists available 24/7 to meet with you and your partner from anywhere that is convenient for you. Even those with the busiest of schedules can find time to meet with online counseling. A healthy romantic relationship is often worth the time and effort invested into building the right foundation, so don’t hesitate to reach out when you feel ready. 

The effectiveness of online counseling 

Online counseling has been shown to be just as effective as face-to-face interventions for individuals and couples. In one study, researchers found that a web-based couples therapy intervention successfully helped partners problem-solve more effectively, communicate more productively, and view their relationship in a more positive light. Those struggling with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression also experienced fewer symptoms by the end of the study. 

Takeaway

Building a strong foundation for a romantic relationship can look different for every couple. It may take hard work and effort on the part of each person in the relationship, but the positive outcomes you may experience can make it worth it. While quotes can be inspiring and encouraging, they are not a replacement for professional help. If you’re struggling in your romantic relationship or need guidance during your quest for love, speaking with a counselor could help. A counselor can provide advice and support as you learn more about yourself and what you need in a relationship. Love can be difficult, but you don’t have to take the journey alone.