The first 6 months of a relationship are a very special. Everything is all very new and exciting during this period, though if we want to make sure things stay this way afterwards, there are a few things we need to do. As easy as it can be to get carried away with a new relationship, it’s important to make sure we don’t forget about the things that made us happy before this new love interest came along.
Today, we are going to be looking at 20 things we can do within the first 6 months of a relationship, that’ll help to make it last. From scheduling alone time, to meeting their closest friends and introducing them to ours, there’s a lot that can be done to make the transition into a long-term relationship quite a bit smoother. Let’s take a look and see how many of these things everyone has actually done with their boo!
20. Have A Fight
This one may sound a bit strange, but hear us out. Even the happiest of couples will fight from time to time, so it’s important to know what to expect from these types of interactions early on. Since everyone goes about arguing differently, this will prepare you and your partner for the harder times in the relationship.
19. Listen To Each Other
As obvious as this may sound to some people, not everyone is actually born a great listener. That being said, during the first 6 months of a relationship, this small action is more important than ever. There’s a lot to discuss when we first meet a new love interest, and showing that we are genuinely interested in what they have to say, will only help reinforce the connection.
18. Be As Honest As Possible
Kept secrets are basically poison to a relationship. We all have things we prefer to keep to ourselves, but if we feel as though we may lose our partner if we reveal our deepest secrets, the relationship may not be worth holding on to anyway. Best to be as upfront as possible!
17. Support Each Other
Support is always important, but once we’ve past over into long-term relationship territory, we may be able to be a bit more candid about are own personal opinions on our partner’s dealings. During the first 6 months, we need to be as supportive as possible, to avoid coming across as judgmental. Keep in mind, it takes time to bond our life to someone else’s, so there’s no rush!
16. Don’t Underestimate The Importance Of Alone Time
This is especially important during the early stages of a relationship. At the beginning, it can be easy to drop everything and everyone in order to spend as much time with our new partner as possible. That being said, this kind of thing can sometimes suffocate a relationship. Always make sure to schedule alone time!
15. Skip The Planning And Have A Good Time
Many of us are guilty of getting carried away a bit too early on in the relationship. Sometimes, if we don’t stop ourselves, we can have our future babies names picked out by the time we’re getting ready for the second date. This is not the best way to approach a new relationship. During the first 6 months, just relax and enjoy!
14. Stay Up A Whole Night Talking
Ok, we are well aware of how cheesy this one sounds. However, cheesy or not, it’s still a great way to bond with a new partner. There is so much to learn at the start of a relationship, so often times, this one just happens on its own. Simply pour some coffee and start chatting!
13. Compliment Each Other … A Lot
At the start of a new relationship, we should be all over our partner. For those who this does not come naturally to, try to keep this tidbit in mind. Complimenting someone in the early stages of a relationship, will let them know they don’t have to look elsewhere for reassurance and it will confirm that they can trust us with their needs.
12. Get On Board With One Of Your Partner’s Interest
Yes, this one is a must. Sure, our partner may be into stuff that we have never shown the slightest interest in, but relationships are all about compromise and growing together. Showing our partner that we can be flexible and that we are open to new things, will only help solidify the bond.
11. Be Respectful Of Each Other’s Time
Because of the way we are going about dating these days, some have started to think that “ghosting” or standing someone up, isn’t a big deal. However, if we wish to make the relationship last, it’s best to avoid doing this all together. Sure, if they are interested enough they may let you pull this a few times, but eventually, they’ll likely stop answering.
10. Forgive The Little Stuff
Even in the earliest stages of a relationship, fights are inevitable. That being said, how we go about handling these fights, can make all the difference. While we are not suggesting that anyone should push their feelings aside, it is helpful to learn early on which battles are actually worth fighting.
9. Don’t Forget The Magic Words!
It’s something we have been hearing since we were barely old enough to speak, but saying “please” and “thank-you” can actually go a long way when we are in a new relationship. While there is no need to go overboard with the pleasantries, using the magic words is an easy and simple way of showing respect for our partner.
8. Listen To Each Other’s Problems
After having a long day ourselves, sometimes the last thing we want to do is listen to someone else complain. However, that’s all part of being in a relationship. It’s important to establish early on that you and your partner are going to be each other’s go-to people when it comes to needing someone to talk to. Should our partner feel as though we won’t listen, they will likely look elsewhere for someone who will.
7. Work As A Team
So we are not exactly saying to become Jay-Z and Beyoncé, but there are a few little things we can do with our partner during the first 6 months that will make working as a team easier later on. Try to do things like cooking a meal together, or even picking each other for teams during a game night.
6. Keep Things Exciting In The Bedroom
There will be plenty of time for the excitement to fizzle, but the first 6 months of a relationship should totally be a honeymoon phase. Getting to know what our partner’s bedroom likes and dislikes are, is an important step, though so is experimenting and trying new things together. These steps will all help to keep the chemistry alive later one!
5. Avoid Criticizing
Let’s get real, criticisms are going to put up over the course of any relationship, but it’s best to leave them for later on. The last thing we want to do, is to push our new love interest away by being judgmental or criticising them when it’s really not necessary. The first 6 months are all about having fun!
4. Take A Trip Together
Not every new couple needs to jet off to a secluded island within the first 6 months of their relationship, though there really is no better way of getting to know a person than by traveling with them. Even if it’s just a mini weekend getaway, traveling with a partner will always reveal new thing that you would otherwise never know!
3. Admit When You’re Wrong
Nobody likes being wrong, but admitting when we are is not only a big part of being in a loving relationship, but of being an adult in general. If we are constantly refusing to own up to our mistakes or neglecting to admit when we’ve done something wrong, there will always be a lack of trust within our relationship.
2. Keep The Romance Alive
Having a romantic first 6 months together, will create some truly special memories for you and your partner to hold on to. After years together, some couples really have to fight to keep the romance alive. However, if the romance was heavy early on, the battle might not be as difficult later.
1. Meet The Friends
Meeting someone’s close friends is a big, yet important step. While some may want to keep their family life separate for a bit longer than 6 months, introducing a partner to our friends within that early stage is something nice we can do for not only them, but for our friends too. Before social media, this was truly the way couples made things official.
