The art of being in a relationship: Balancing independence and partnership
Whether you’re transitioning from dating to something more serious or are wondering about how to balance your relationship with other aspects of your life, it can be important to think about what it means to you to be in a relationship.
Here, you’ll find a guide to balancing a romantic partnership with other aspects of your life, including managing your responsibilities, passions, goals, and other relationships. We’ll also examine the role of commitment in successful relationships—from the explicit and implicit commitments you make to your partner to those that govern other facets of your life.
With a clear understanding of how to nurture each life domain—including your relationship—you’ll be equipped to maintain a strong partnership while building a fulfilling, multidimensional life.
What does it mean to be in a relationship?
A “relationship” typically refers to the phase that occurs after dating, when both partners decide to commit to one another in some way. That may mean ceasing to date other people, spending more time with each other, or communicating more frequently. Those in relationships may get to know the other important people in their partner’s life, such as friends and family members. Serious relationships often result in cohabitation or marriage.
Relationships can take many different forms, as each couple decides the criteria for theirs. Some couples may feel ready to commit and settle down early on in the relationship, while others may decide to move more slowly—in some cases even forgoing traditional relationship milestones. Other couples may choose an alternative relationship model, such as ethical non-monogamy.
A common feature that unites these types of romantic relationships is some form of commitment to forge and maintain intimacy. This often involves emotional as well as physical and sexual intimacy, though there may be some times where a relationship is dominated by one or the other.
How independence can bolster wellbeing—and relationship health
While sustaining a romantic relationship may take considerable time and energy, achieving personal growth long-term often involves spending sufficient time tending to one’s own needs and goals. Independence allows for more opportunities to learn and grow as an individual—in your career, hobbies, and family and friend relationships.
In fact, prioritizing involvement in personal pursuits may be beneficial for maintaining a healthy partnership. Stephanie Coontz, an expert in family and relationships, suggests that the greater self-sufficiency and social connectedness typically observed in single individuals could be key in steering clear of various problems frequently encountered by couples, such as loss of personal identity, lack of growth and fulfillment, and emotional or financial dependency.
Avoiding dependency in romantic relationships
Failing to devote ample attention to other life domains may result in patterns of emotional dependency, characterized by an unhealthy attachment and an overreliance on one’s partner for emotional support and fulfillment.
Additionally, it may be important to consider the practical aspects of independence. Though mutual support may be a feature of serious relationships, it’s not uncommon for partnerships to end. In such cases, having a strong foundation on which to shift into self-reliance may make it easier to navigate the transition.
Growing together: The antidote to growing apart
In committed relationships, there is often an implicit understanding of a shared life, which typically means having conversations about what your partnership may look like in the future. To this end, it may be important to set some goals as a couple.
Research has found that achieving both instrumental and companionship goals may be an important part of relationship satisfaction.
- Instrumental goals are those that promote life stability. These practical objectives are often related to finances, child-rearing, homeownership, and health.
- Companionship goals are ones that help partners connect emotionally. This may involve prioritizing shared rituals or experiences that infuse the partnership with meaning, such as regular date nights, traveling, or volunteering together.
The importance of communication
Communication is another cornerstone of a healthy partnership. In addition to communicating about the everyday details and decisions that govern the life you share, consider making time for deeper, more intimate conversations that help you and your partner better understand each other.
Not only can this foster the development of an intuition about each other’s needs and desires, it may help mitigate the boredom or stagnancy that can occur when couples fall into routine patterns and cease to engage deeply with one another.
Strategies for maintaining a healthy balance
By devoting ample attention and planning to each facet of your life, you can strike a healthy balance between nurturing your relationship and maintaining your independence. Here are a few strategies for success:
Pursue hobbies and passions independently
Hobbies and passions can be a fun and fulfilling way to carve out some space for yourself. It’s not uncommon to feel like one’s time is dominated by the many different roles they serve; for example, you may be an employee or entrepreneur, parent or caregiver, child, and friend. Pursuing an activity you love can offer a way to do something for yourself.
Through your hobbies, you can also connect with others who share your passion. Whether it’s a creative pursuit, a local club or team, or a volunteer organization, getting involved in a pastime can help you achieve greater life fulfillment.
Set and maintain boundaries with other life domains
Boundaries can help you spend time more intentionally and maintain balance between different facets of your life.
For example, you and your partner may agree to avoid work and work-related discussions after a certain time, or set household rules about phone usage so that you can spend time together without distractions.
Talk to your partner about some guidelines for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, respecting each other's space and needs, and ensuring plenty of quality time with each other.
Create shared experiences
In addition to your shared routines and rituals, it may be worth looking for ways to create memorable experiences together.
For example, you might plan a surprise date or a weekend getaway, take on a challenging project, or go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. These experiences can help you become closer and reap more meaning out of the life you share, ensuring your relationship remains fulfilling and exciting.
Balance other important relationships
Particularly in new relationships, it can be challenging to strike a healthy balance between spending time with your partner and investing in the other important relationships in your life, such as friends and family members. To ensure you and your partner maintain a strong social network, try to ensure you allocate time and energy to your other relationships.
While you might include your partner in many social activities, it may be equally important to have some separate engagements. For example, you might consider scheduling a coffee date with your friend, planning a girls’ or guys’ weekend, or even just planning regular video calls to chat.
Set both independent and shared goals
Research has found goal-setting to be a crucial aspect of both individual and relationship success. Setting individual goals can ensure you continue making forward progress in your career and personal pursuits, while setting goals as a couple can help you and your partner grow together and avoid relationship stagnancy.
Use time management tools
While time management may be more commonly associated with productivity and work efficiency, using shared calendars and other time management tools can also be instrumental in helping you and your partner maintain a healthy balance in your relationship.
You might use a calendar to schedule regular date nights, tasks, and activities as a couple, as well as individual commitments and appointments. This can help you remain aware of each other’s schedules, plus help ensure you’re spending ample time both together and apart.
How couples therapy can help
If you’re struggling to find balance in your relationship, it may be worth considering couples therapy. A couples therapist can help you and your partner learn practical skills and strategies for improving communication, resolving conflict, and setting expectations and boundaries.
Cognitive-Behavioral Couples Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy are some examples of empirically-supported therapy approaches commonly used by couples counselors.
Is online couples therapy right for you?
You can find licensed therapists (commonly licensed marriage and family counselors) through online couples therapy platforms like Regain. Many find online therapy more flexible and convenient than face-to-face sessions, particularly if conflicting schedules make in-person appointments unrealistic.
Online couples therapy has been found to be equally effective, and may offer some distinct advantages over traditional couples therapy. Regain, for example, offers interactive couples therapy homework and weekly webinars, as well as additional one-on-one appointments that you can attend separately. What’s more, online therapy tends to be more affordable, at about $65-90 per week.
Takeaway
Being in a relationship typically entails some form of commitment to your partner. The two of you can decide the exact parameters of your relationship by communicating about your needs, desires, and goals; you might also consider how you can effectively maintain your independence while you grow together as a couple.
Connect with a licensed couples therapist on Regain for guidance as you decide what being in a relationship means for you and your partner.
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