When you first get in a relationship with someone you really like, you feel on top of the world. You’re so happy you finally found someone you connect with and feel like nothing can go wrong. However, you still have to be careful about making mistakes that could potentially ruin a good thing.
Couples counselors share some common early relationship mistakes to avoid:
Texting or Calling Too Much
When you really like someone, you naturally think about them and want to talk to them all the time. However, it’s still important to have your own life apart from the relationship. If you text or call your significant other multiple times a day in the beginning of the relationship, they might feel suffocated and want to run away.
Moving Too Fast
Moving too fast is another big mistake. If you’re already talking about marriage or moving in with each other when you’ve just started the relationship, it could cause issues. The other person may feel like you’re rushing things and get scared. It’s better to take things slow and make sure you really know each other before you decide to take it to the next level.
Ignoring Red Flags
When you’re very smitten by someone early on in the relationship, you might not see potential red flags. Just because you really like someone, doesn’t mean you should discount warning signs. For example, if you’re head over heels for someone, you might not realize that they don’t truly listen to you or are always late. If you don’t address red flags early on, it could destroy the relationship eventually.
Saying Yes When You Really Want to Say No
In the beginning of a relationship, it’s normal to want to make your partner happy and be as agreeable as possible. However, that doesn’t mean you should agree to things you really don’t want to do. If you say yes when you actually mean no, it will just make you resentful. Don’t be afraid to tell your partner no and then explain your reasoning.
Spending Too Much Time Together
While it’s natural to want to spend a lot of time with someone you really like, you shouldn’t spend every waking moment together. If you’re around each other too much, you’re more likely to get sick of one another. It’s important to spend time apart sometimes. Go visit your family or have coffee with a friend you haven’t seen in awhile.
Not Being Your True Self
Nobody’s perfect. Everyone has their own quirks that they wish they could change. When you’re in a new relationship, you might try to suppress your less than perfect qualities for as long as you can. This is a big mistake. It’s important to be honest about your true self from the beginning so that there are no surprises.
If you and your significant other are having relationship woes, speak to a couples counselor about counseling in Palatine, IL.
Thanks to Lotus Wellness Center for their insight into couples counseling and early relationship mistakes to avoid.
