Relationship Advice To Contemplate
So your partner isn’t your clone: We all love having things in common with our partners, but there’s a danger in trying to making them more like us. If you…
So your partner isn't your clone: We all love having things in common with our partners, but there's a danger in trying to making them more like us.
If you want a great relationship, you have to let your partner be just who they are. It's dangerous to try to change the true self of your S.O. because they don't completely fit your idealized picture. If your partner tries to deny who they truly are, they will eventually become angry or depressed -- and think about hitting the road.
Remember, when you judge your partner, they cannot help but become defensive. But when you approach them with curiosity, you have taken the first step on the path to true intimacy.
But this study says you're more alike that you'd think: According to a new study, people who are in romantic relationships are quite similar. Researchers analyzed a bunch of traits, including political views, drinking habits and education levels -- among many others. They found that partners were often very similar. In other words, it seems that opposites do not attract. Instead, we're attracted to people who are a lot like us.
- How about in your relationship?
- Are you bucking the trend here? Are you and your partner very different? In what ways?
- Are the differences fun? Or maddening?
- Is there a big difference between you and your partner that actually causes BIG problems in your relationship?
- Are there traits you recognize in your partner that you dislike -- and can admit that you also have this trait? That's a rough one, eh?
- Just for fun, here are some of the other traits the researchers looked into: extrovert vs. introvert, age of the first sexual encounter, how many sexual partners total, early riser vs. night owl -- and worrier vs. easy going.
