Relationship Problems
Problems in a Relationship and What You Can Do to Fix Them
Problems in a relationship can be difficult to fix.
They come in all shapes and sizes, with each one often requiring a unique solution. Some problems are small and can be addressed with a quick discussion, while others run deeper than you think and can be a huge threat to your relationship.
Marriage and family therapist Darlene Lancer compares relationships to cars and how they perform better the more you take care of them. Just like with your vehicle, it also takes a lot of time and effort to maintain the intimate connection between you and your partner.
Even if relationships aren’t perfect, you shouldn’t let any conflict tear you apart. It’s important to identify your problems so that you can better address them and work on a solution together.
Common Problems in a Relationship
Below are some examples of common relationship problems:
- Communication Issues
Communication can be one of the main reasons couples encounter problems in their relationship. Some people refrain from being vocal with their partner about their inner thoughts and feelings, which can cause conflict and misunderstandings.
- Financial Problems
Experiencing financial problems isn’t an uncommon occurrence in relationships. Due to things like poor money management skills or incompatible priorities, these issues can affect the life and future that a couple is building together.
- Intimacy Problems
Intimacy plays a major role in relationships. It helps keep the spark alive.
This is why being unable to match your partner’s intimacy levels can prove to be problematic. Being too clingy can mean overstepping boundaries, while being too detached can lead to your partner losing interest in you.
- Lack of Trust
Lack of trust is another factor that can lead to problems in a relationship.
Trust needs to be established to make your bond healthy and functional. Without it, you’ll be doubting your partner’s feelings and intentions, creating a boundary between you and the person you’re supposed to love.
Lack of trust is often the reason behind other issues like excessive jealousy and constant self-doubt.
- Conflicting Interests
It’s normal for couples not to have the same likes or dislikes in life.
However, having conflicting interests can also be the deciding factor for whether a relationship will work or not. While it’s okay to not have the same hobbies or taste in music, not being able to agree on which friends to spend time with or where to go on vacation can lead to bigger and more serious conflicts down the road.
- Incompatible Goals in Life
Before the relationship even starts, couples will already have their own goals in life that they strive to achieve. This could be about landing a dream job, moving to a different state or country, or even choosing what faith to believe in.
Having incompatible goals can lead couples to argue about who will end up compromising just to let their partner achieve their goal. This can create more tension and even resentment.
How to Fix a Relationship
Once you’ve identified the type of problem you and your partner have, along with its cause, it will be easier for you to start fixing your relationship.
The solution will depend on what issues you’re dealing with. You can have nice, long discussions with your partner about your relationship and what steps you’ll both need to take to keep it strong.
You can also spend quality time together to rediscover why you chose each other.
However big or small the problems in a relationship are, it’s advisable that when you fix them, you should fix them together as a couple. Don’t let yourself or your partner carry the burden of repairing your relationship alone.
As long as you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and attention that your issues need, you can make things work again.
References
Lancer, Darlene. 2019. “Signs of Serious Relationship Problems.” Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/toxic-relationships/201904/signs-of-serious-relationship-problems.
