Thriving Relationships: Small things add up
Every year, the Healthy Relationships campaign runs in October. This year it takes place over two weeks from Oct 18 to 29. But why do we even focus on relationships, you ask?In general, being in a healthy relationship feels good. Healthy relationships can make us feel happy and mentally strong. When we find ourselves in an unhealthy one, the opposite is true. We can feel stressed out about every little thing and even be unhappy in our day-to-day lives.Yet over time, all relationships will evolve and change. Have you ever wondered what sets apart a healthy relationship from an unhealthy one?According to relationship experts Drs. John and Julie Gottman, the primary reason why couples separate or divorce is that they are unaware of their partner’s inner world. In the past, experts believed that major betrayals are what led to separation or divorce. The Gottmans have spent the last four decades studying romantic relationships to find out what makes a marriage successful. They report that couples who remain together are more likely to be attentive to their partner’s needs and wants. This simple idea has revolutionized the study of love and romantic relationships. In fact, experts now believe that small acts and gestures are what can make or break a relationship.There are easy ways to increase your awareness of your partner’s ‘inner world’. How much do you know about your partner’s most embarrassing childhood moment? What does your significant other consider unfair in the world? Is there something that is hard for them to overcome this week? Knowing the answers to these questions allows you to connect with your partner on a much deeper level.To help you find out more about your partner’s inner world, the Gottmans created an app called Card Decks. It has a series of card deck themes...