Dual-career couples experience particular obstacles because their professional and personal lives are linked. Things like selecting which job to relocate for, when one partner can make a major career change, and who will leave work early to pick up a sick child from school can affect the relationship at one point or another. It's challenging to identify how to give your full attention to relationship obligations—and each other—while both of you are working in demanding roles? And what does it mean for the other if one of you decides to remake yourself professionally? That's when you need to learn a few rules that will make your relationship stronger and healthier.
You must sort out these issues together in a way that allows you to prosper in both love and work. Regrets and imbalances will swiftly accumulate if you don't, threatening to hinder your careers, end your relationship, or both. Let's discuss the four rules that can help you keep your relationship healthy.
Partners in a good relationship are equals, which means that neither has "power" over the other. Each of you is free to live your own life, including electing to share some aspects of it with your partner. Respect also implies that, even though we do not always agree with our partners, we choose to trust them and place our trust in their judgment. This trust can be developed over time as your relationship evolves and you get to know one other better.
While you both are busy in your work life, it's important to remember that communication is the key to interpersonal peace. A couple must be able to properly communicate their feelings to grow together and provide the groundwork for a good relationship. Have you had a bad day? Say it! Is there something about your partner's behavior that irritates you? Be honest and express it through positive criticism. Experiencing a wave of dissatisfaction? Just let it out.
If you desire something, you must put in the right efforts to get it. The same is true in a relationship; if you want a happy and healthy relationship, you must develop and foster it. The simplest effort you can put in is paying attention to your partner's needs. You could spend hours with your partners and still not be aware of what they want. Something as simple as texting them in the middle of the day or asking them how their day went will make them feel valued and loved.
The happiest couples avoid comparing their relationships at all costs. They recognize that disagreements happen and that their relationship may be worse than others at times, but they focus on mending and improving their relationship rather than fantasizing about someone else when you're tempted to compare what you have to what someone else has, recall why you fell in love with your partner in the first place.
Even those invested in their careers can make their relationship work if they make the right efforts. These four rules build the foundation of a healthy relationship for dual-career couples. If you're looking for ways to make your relationship stronger without affecting your work life, we are here to help. Our counselors help you with effective strategies to bring your love life back on track. Get in touch with us today!
