I live in the moment while learning from the past and preparing for the future.
Tips For Maintaining A Good Relationship:
Respect each other. Try to understand each other's feelings and points of view. Don't try to change one another now that you're in the relationships. You were initially attracted to each other for a reason. Remember what it was and continue to appreciate it.
Communicate. Never underestimate the importance of good communication. If something is going on inside of you, share it. Don't keep your feelings, good or bad, to yourself. If you have a problem let your partner in on it. Work on a solution together. It will create intimacy and bring you closer together. When something good happens to you at work or you've achieved a goal, share that as well. All sharing and exchanging of information brings people closer to each other. Practice communicating with each other.
Do the little things. Be considerate and thoughtful. If you're getting yourself a coffee, apple or snack from the kitchen ask your partner if he/she wants one too. When your spouse is tired and sore give him/her a back rub or massage. Be aware of each others needs.
Don't get caught up in the rat race. People get too wrapped up in getting ahead and the mechanics of everyday living. They rush around doing, getting, and not taking time to live in the moment. By not paying attention to each other you can become disconnected with yourself and your partner.
Maintain a Sense of Humor. Laugh together. Don't take things too seriously. Barring a tragedy, nothing is so serious that you can't step back and look at the humorous side. Laughter is contagious and creates intimacy.
Take care of and respect yourself. As mentioned in Love Yourself in order function fully, strive for balance. If you don't take care of yourself, everything around you will fall apart including your relationship.
Have a Life. Everyone needs a life of his/her own. If you don't have one, you not only tend to invade someone else's space, you probably become too dependent and therefore less interesting. One of the most important things you can bring to a relationship is your unique set of qualities and a different perspective. Contrary to what you may think, maintaining your individuality and having a life of your own strengthens a relationship and keeps it fresh and interesting.
So before things start sliding or become stagnant in your relationship, start developing some good maintenance habits. Communicate, laugh, be independent, take care of yourself and your relationship will not only survive, it will flourish.