How to look after strong relationships

Having strong relationships requires some work. The more you treat others with respect, kindness, love, integrity, and truthfulness the more likely you are to receive this in return and have strong relationships as people will treat you in the same way. Strong relationships require time, patience, a willingness to negotiate and compromise, and most of all they require your acceptance of yourself and others. Be willing to help those you have relationships with and to give to others rather than just take from others, and this will come back to benefit you.

What can impact on strong relationships

If a relationship doesn’t make you feel good, then it probably isn’t good for you. There’s no shame in stepping away from an unhealthy relationship, be it for a short time or for good. 

Relationships fall apart when there is no give-and-take. Sometimes people just take and take and this leaves others around them feeling used and flat. Being jealous of a partner’s friendships despite the love they give you, is a good example of this. 

Another barrier to building strong relationships is being unwilling to accept help. This can make people who are trying to help feel rejected or devalued. 

Being accepting of others for who they are is also really important to maintaining strong relationships. It’s easier to choose who you want to be with than to try change others into the person you wish they would be. And it's probably going to save a bunch of hurt in the long run.