When you’re in a relationship, you need to feel loved and supported by your partner. But, it’s important to note that your happiness shouldn’t entirely depend on them. As corny as this sounds, your happiness starts from within. It’s your responsibility to take care of your happiness, it’s also important to make sure that your relationship is a source of joy in your life.

Here are some ways to fill your relationship with happiness:

–       Be Honest

A lot of relationship problems boil down to problems with communication and honesty. To cultivate a happy relationship and avoid these problems altogether, you need to be honest with your partner. This will help you feel more seen and heard in your relationship, and make them feel less stressed and more in-tune with you. 

–       Be Direct

A lot of people rely on humor and sarcasm to communicate their feelings. Unfortunately, when you attempt to “diffuse the situation,” you are not being direct. You are making room for confusion and miscommunication. If something is weighing on you, be direct so they understand what you are trying to say. It will help you better support one another. 

–       Be Gracious

Everybody has bad days, so it’s normal to not be happy-go-lucky 24/7. But even if this isn’t possible, you should always make an effort to be kind 100% of the time. Kindness is an important part of any relationship – platonic or romantic. Focusing on being positive, despite your mood, will help you maintain happiness in your relationship.

–       Be Patient

Stressing about the future of your relationship will prevent you from being happy in the present. Learn to accept your current state of affairs and be patient about how things develop in your relationship. This will allow you to enjoy your relationship as it is. It’s important to think about your romantic future, but when you start to rush things, it can strain your relationship.

–       Be Forgiving

You and your partner are bound to have disagreements from time to time. While these are normal, you need to be able to move past these differences after they happen. Holding grudges, no matter how big or small, will make you dissatisfied in your relationship. To be happier, direct your energy towards forgiving, taking some space, practicing self-care, and discussing your problems healthily.