All relationships have to deal with change over time. Some of these are significant challenges, such as leaving a great distance from each other. It may be that your college friends are moving in a new direction that you did not expect and find challenging.
Whatever the situation, maintaining emotional bonds can feel almost impossible.
Whether your relationship is with a sibling, an old school friend or our spouse, there is usually room for positive change.
Maintain a Positive Outlook
A happy relationship is when the individuals involved are honest, trusting and accepting of each other.
This acceptance comes from having a positive perspective about each other, focusing on the good things the other brings into the relationship rather than the negatives.
This does not mean we are not aware of our friendās faults, or our own, but rather that we appreciate all that is good and accept everything else that it is not our responsibility to change.
Seeing a friend or life partner in a more positive light means that there are fewer occasions in which events can feel negative because a positive outlook means giving each other the benefit of the doubt.
This positivity can translate into good things in all areas of our lives, for example, having anĀ idea for 50th wedding anniversaryĀ celebrations that you are confident they will love. This is because you know these people will appreciate the thought, effort and time that has gone into making a happy event.
Leave the Past Where It Belongs
It is often the case that issues from the past can negatively affect the chances of a healthy relationship in the future.
Your thinking may be going back to the past because you find it difficult to let go of resentment or because whatever happened was something you find unforgivable.
Working out why you carry the resentment can make clear what work you need to do on yourself and what you want from your current relationships.
Dealing with relationship problems can be challenging if an emotional issue from our past is creating a barrier. At these times, it is wise to seek help before the damage to your relationship is irreparable.