Men and women deal with relationships and navigate their way through them differently. Women have a certain way of thinking, and men have their own way of thinking. Even though differences are fine, sometimes these same differences take the form of some serious mistakes that most men make in relationships.
Irrespective of what every male buddy of yours tells you, women don’t actually voice out problems as soon as they spot one. They drop massive hints through their behavior in hopes that you’d notice, and usually, become frustrated when you don’t. By the time, they blow up, it is already too late for you to say anything and whatever you say will end up being the wrong thing because, for you, the problem has just begun to exist, while they have had time to analyze every aspect of it, including the solution probably.
Heavens save you when that happens, but here are a few things that will keep you from reaching there for a while.
Here Are 10 Mistakes Most Men Make In Relationships
1. Be in-tune with her.
Women have needs too — most of it, emotional. Pay attention to them and sometimes, try making the attention felt. Paying attention is not synonymous with expensive gestures. Sometimes, it is as simple as stopping your work when she is around and spending time with her. You only have to ask and really be willing to listen — just like that, she’ll tell you everything she’s been dying to tell you for weeks.
2. Gifts are not just for dating.
Here is what a special gift means: It tells her that you still think of her after being with her for so long. It tells her that she is worth being spent on. It tells her she is loved and valued. Everyone loves gifts — and they don’t even have to be overly-expensive or even routinely. Just enough to count, and just enough to be special.
It could be something to add to her stamp-collection or it could be a new pair of shoes. Whatever the gift, it has to be her specific. Don’t try gifting her that hideous-looking Doremon T-shirt just to tickle your sense of humor, she might force a laugh, but you will have to pay for it later on. Yes, that is a fair warning.
Related: 8 Mistakes A Man Shouldn’t Make In A Relationship.
3. Don’t fake it till you make it — relationships don’t roll that way.
Pretending self-assuredness, confidence, and other enviable traits work in most areas of life but not here. The right way to do it is by being yourself and your true self at that. If you are uncomfortable with anything, say it. If you don’t understand her, ask her — she will gladly explain. If you think she is The One, it might be a good idea to let her know. If she is not, that’s another good idea to clear it and save all the hassle for both of yourselves.
Show her your real self — she will treasure the fact that you open up to her while you maintain a stoic exterior for most of the world. However, that’s not a ticket to douche-dom. Be nice. To everyone, but especially her.
4. Let there be space.
Yes, it is good to share your thoughts. Yes, it’s good to do things together. But it’s also a good idea to maintain a healthy sense of space in certain aspects. Have some activities that you have all to yourself, and most importantly, let her have the same kind of space to pursue her own individuality. Making her felt needed is really nice and sweet, but being needy will quickly annoy her and you will find yourself listening to crickets, all on your own, very soon.
Being a good partner does not mean you do each and everything as a cutesy couple. A healthy relationship begins with a healthy you and a healthy her — and a little space will go a long, long way.
5. Don’t try changing her.
When you fell in love with her, it was because of who she was. Most people in their relationships make the mistake of trying to “fix” what they don’t approve of. Don’t ask her to tone down her laugh and loudness just because it attracts a lot of (male) attention. Don’t suddenly expect your quiet woman to miraculously turn into a party-throwing crowd-pleasing host just because all your friends’ partners are like that.
Similarly, it is expected of things to change as and how she navigates her life. Don’t expect her to still talk-and-walk the same way as she did when you first met her.
Related: 8 Most Common Mistakes That End Even The Happiest Relationships
6. Accept the ever-shifting nature of your relationship.
In continuity with the above, as you accept her, you have to acknowledge what the changes in both of you mean for your relationship. She is not one of those passing-flings anymore — naturally, the rules of then don’t apply now. As time proceeds she might expect you to make her the biggest priority. You might decide that you are ready to raise kids. She might decide she wants to be with another woman. Things can change anytime — unless you accept them, they are going to roll you over and leave you alone.
7. Don’t take her presence for granted.
Men can be ridiculously single-minded. While women are known for multitasking. You might not really be able to take a page out of her book, but you can definitely plan your day to leave some her-time there. It’s very easy to forget her when you are pursuing a newly-acquired hobby or trying to keep your wits with the promotion just around the corner.
But for her, it is all about the fact that if she can devote some time to you, you should be able to do the same — taking us back to #1.
8. Trust is a must.
No relationship is going anywhere even if you manage to follow everything on this list, but for this one. Every other point on this is a fixable solution. This one is the hardest. It’s always going to be turmoil if you are constantly breaking her trust, or find yourself mistrusting her. You cannot be hiding things that you know won’t go down well with her — don’t do them in the first place.
Contrariwise, you cannot always be assuming the worst of her — yes, she can have a happy life when she is by herself. Yes, she can have platonic guy friends who enjoy her company. Trust is an equal give-and-take business.
9. It’s a partnership and it’s sailing nowhere until you communicate.
Most men tend to keep their problems and troubles to themselves. Whether it be about their work or it is about their relationship. Women are sensitive to any emotional ups and downs you might be going through — and they expect you to tell them just like they tell you. When you don’t talk about it, it is equally frustrating to them as it is when you don’t ask them about what’s bothering them, as mentioned in #1 (again).
When you tell her about your problems, you give her an equal reign over it. Additionally, you also make her feel like her inputs are valued. That doesn’t mean you have to incessantly crib about everything that is going wrong in your life — too much of anything is toxic in itself. Keep it measured, keep it simple.
Related: 4 Ways To Keep Your Relationship Together (Even When It’s Falling Apart)
10. Keep the sparks glinting.
Finally, don’t let yourselves go. Doing something special or treating yourselves shouldn’t have to be a once in a year occasion. Women like things when they are spontaneous — and men are sticklers for planning meticulously. So, sure, plan a nice date in that new restaurant — but let her believe it was a spontaneous date. Let there be things happening. Flirt with her once in a while. Compliment her if she dresses-up for something.
Special is as special does.
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