We have just emerged from the sparkly Christmas season during which romance is presented even more er… romantically… than usual. But Santa and Cinderella are not real, and celebrity chefs don’t fall in love with the waitress. The expectations given to us by unreal ‘reality’ TV and all those Christmas specials have made it difficult for us to tell what is right from wrong when it comes to our love life. So as an antidote to Christmas schmaltz here are five pieces of reliable advice to help you build a proper relationship in 2020.
- Trust your instincts
If you feel in your bones that there is a connection between you and your potential partner, go for it. You might want to seek advice from friends, but at the end of the day you decide whether or not you are ready to make the first move. But if you decide not to, you should know that your potential significant other is not a mind-reader, even though Hollywood might have told you they are.
- Communication
Be clear about what you are looking for in a relationship before getting serious with your partner. Although in an alternate world we wish for things to go as smoothly as possible, that might not always be possible. Therefore it is important to be honest with your potential partner and talk to them about anything you are uncertain about. PS: Make sure you approach them as gently as possible, you don’t want to scare them away!
- Don’t settle for a relationship unless you want one
Seeing happy couples on TV and in the real world around us – especially during the holiday season – makes us wish we also had a significant other to spend this special time with. However, getting into a relationship requires more than that. You need to feel commitment to the other party, which means don’t let the season of love and joy put you under undue pressure.
- There’s seldom such a thing as “love at first sight”
We’ve all seen that scene in the movies in which two potential lovers bump into each other and automatically click, but it’s most often not like that in real life. In order to develop a real relationship with your future partner, you must make the effort to spend real time with them in order to get to know the real them.
- Put yourself first
Prioritize your goals and wishes above everyone else’s. Learn how to say ‘no’ to others, so that people respect you and know your worth! No one will be able to read your mind, therefore it’s important to set boundaries before jumping into that relationship, however long you have yearned for it.
Happy New Year!