10 Things That Can Make or Break Your Relationship

The honeymoon phase is undoubtedly very pleasant in romantic relationships, but it is the post-honeymoon stage that tests the strength of a relationship. It’s when you and your partner start experiencing the innumerable highs and lows of what comprises an interpersonal connection.

How you treat each other, your respective love languages, the major life events you both encounter together, and other factors can make or break a relationship. These characteristics and events are also great because you both can get a lot of clarity about the future of your relationship. 

10 things that can make or break your relationship

Are you at a crossroads in your relationship where you find yourself probably questioning whether your partner is “the one” for you? Or maybe you’re a bit confused about whether your relationship has long-term potential?

If you are having these thoughts, you’re not alone! Relationships are about growing together and individually. The list provided as follows will help you navigate where you and your partner stand in your relationship.

Consider the following things that can make or break your relationship:

1. You and your partner’s listening skills

This may be a bit surprising but, there is a huge difference between hearing and listening. Often, people use these two terms interchangeably and might think that they’re the same thing. But here’s the thing: they’re not the same thing.

There’s a difference between just hearing what your partner is saying and actively listening to your partner. If you and your partner actively listen to one another and do not interrupt each other, it means that you may have good listening skills.

It is important to actively listen to people. Active listening or the lack of it can impact the quality of the communication you share with your partner! So remember to listen to each other!

Related Reading: How Does Listening Affect Relationships

2. Do you work well together

You might be thinking that this section is talking about having the same job or being in the same field of specialization.

However, what is being referred to here is when you and your partner are doing something together (e.g., remodeling the kitchen, putting together a piece of furniture, etc.), do you work well together? Take up these projects which require both of your involvement. Your level of compatibility can make you or break you.

These team projects test your partner and your communication skills, your problem-solving ability, patience, and much more.

Related Reading: How to Create Teamwork in Your Marriage and Relationships

3. Sexual compatibility

The importance of having good sex with your partner cannot be denied. 

Sexual compatibility makes and breaks relationships. There’s no such thing as too much sex. So, if you and your partner are sexually active frequently, and you both enjoy the sex, great!

On the flip side, a lack of sexual chemistry may be a deal-breaker or can make or break your relationship. If the sex is bad, it means that you and your partner need to work on this.

Also Try: Sexual Compatibility Quiz

4. Intimacy

Don’t confuse intimacy with sex. Sex is a big part of intimacy, but there are other ways to be intimate. Both the partners need to be on the same page or have a clear understanding of the kind of intimacy the other partner likes.

Some people prefer a physical touch as a form of intimacy. So, hugs, kisses, cuddling, etc., are important. Some people prefer acts of service as their love language.

If you do not understand each other’s love language, it can make or break your relationship.

Related Reading: How Important Is Intimacy in a Relationship

5. The way you both handle finances

How you both handle money together is a very important determinant of what makes a relationship or breaks it. Now here’s the thing: it’s normal to not always be on the same page about money matters. It happens. It’s common. 

Money is a sensitive matter and can be one of the biggest deal-breakers in relationships. There are so many factors that affect how you two deal with money. But what matters is how you resolve these problems. Do you stick to the decisions you both have made together?

The big decisions regarding finances like how many accounts you both will have, who’ll pay for what, whether you need a joint account- all these matters. Being on the same page about these things is very important.

Related Reading: How to Handle Finances Together and Improve Relationship

6. Raising a pet or child together

One of the most straightforward ways to see if you and your partner can be with each other for the rest of your lives is if you’re raising any living being together. What matters is how you’re sharing this huge responsibility.

Having small disagreements here and there about whether your child can watch an extra half an hour of TV or what haircut you want your pet to have is expected. But if you aren’t on the same page about the important things, it may break a relationship.

Related Reading: How to Cope With Different Parenting Styles

7. Living together

If you and your partner have just moved in together, this phase will be very important for your relationship. Living together either makes or breaks these intimate relationships.

It is a big step because you’re sharing the same space and seeing each other all the time. How you adjust with each and share household responsibilities can either help you grow together or break you apart.

Related Reading: Live-In Relationship Rules That Every Couple Must Follow

8. Balance is key

What makes a good relationship last is balance. If either you or your partner feels inferior to each other, there may be a lack of balance. Nobody likes feeling like they’re not good enough, right?

If one of the people in the relationship is dominating and the primary decision maker or has the last say in matters big and small, it may feel wrong or unfair. A balanced relationship is about valuing each other’s opinions and insights and taking decisions together.

Related Reading: How to Maintain Balance in a Relationship

Here a quick video to help you understand the key skills of a balanced relationship:

9. Dealing with loss

If you and your partner have experienced any major loss together, it can make or break meaning make you both develop a deeper desire and connection with each other or grow apart. 

Loss is difficult to deal with. Losing a loved one or a pet can be a tough obstacle to overcome. How you both deal with this tough phase is important. If you can support each other and be there for each other, it can make you develop deeper intimacy.

Related Reading: How To Help Your Partner Deal With Demise Of Someone Close

10. Mutual Respect

Having disagreements is normal. However, the way you disagree with each other is key. Using foul language and doing foul things to hurt each other is disrespectful.

If you respect one another, it may reflect on how you deal with disagreements. Respect is another important pillar of a healthy, long-lasting relationship.

Related Reading: How to Respect Your Spouse

Conclusion

To keep the relationship going, there are a lot of constituents that help in making or breaking a relationship. 

Take these aforementioned pointers into consideration if you’re in a relationship or you are wondering what to do on a relationship break. 

Hope everything works out well!