If you ask the average person what breaks relationships apart, he or she might say money, lying, or cheating. And that is true. But, like death by a thousand paper cuts, there are even more insidious everyday habits that kill relationships too.
For nearly three decades, I’ve had a front-row seat to thousands of relationships. My ongoing research—a long-term study funded by the National Institutes of Health since 1986—gives me the opportunity to study, closely and over time, critical patterns in marriage and divorce, romance and relationships. Today, here’s what I know for sure: Small stuff is a big deal.
To create a truly happy, healthy relationship, every couple, of every stripe, should take the most overlooked and under-discussed relationship killers to heart. Below are the five most overlooked relationship killers and solutions to those bad habits. I also address specific Archetypes that are most likely to struggle or be challenged by each relationship killer.
Skipping “Me” Time
Many couples say that space, or giving each other plenty of time for self, is the single most important reason they think their relationship survived. Time alone gives partners those vital moments to process thoughts, pursue hobbies, and develop new topics to talk about! Too much space or separateness isn’t good, but partners who pursue their own hobbies, interests, and friends tend to be happier than those who depend on each other for everything.
Solution: Talk to your partner about the benefits of me-time, and emphasize that you still want couple time too. Don’t keep secrets, and share with your partner some of the fun or funny things that happened during me-time.
If you are a Rebel, Spiritual or Athlete Archetype, the solitude and calm that is gained by having personal time to self is particularly vital to your happy healthy relationship.
Assuming You Know Each Other
Couples who have been together for many years sometimes believe that they know everything about their partner. Unlike when they were first dating, they stop asking each other questions and learning more about each other. Such loss of curiosity can be lethal.I call this the silent dining syndrome. Couples go out together to a restaurant but then don’t talk.
Solution: To stay happy in a relationship, partners need to talk to each other every single day, for at least 10 minutes, about anything other than the home, kids, work, or their relationship. Ask questions to each other, just like when you were first dating! A side benefit of getting to know one another again is an increase in passion and excitement.
If you are a Creative, Explorer or Intellectual Archetype, this lack of curiosity or emotional intimacy with partner is particularly detrimental to your happy healthy relationship.
Staying Mum about “Minor” Annoyances
A lot of couples sweep little annoyances and pet peeves under the rug. Over time, though, these small everyday irritations can add up and put a relationship on life support. It’s actually the small, everyday irritations that can accumulate if not dealt with and become big problems in relationships.
Solution: Contrary to popular belief, couples need to sweat the small stuff in their relationship to be happy and together over the long haul. Bring up the annoyances in a constructive way.
If you are a Royal or Performer Archetype, bringing up the small stuff in your relationship will be especially challenging, but necessary for your happy healthy relationship.
Waiting for Special Occasions to Express Love
Many couples make the mistake of waiting for special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or Hallmark-type holidays, to express loving feelings to one another. One key finding from my study is that when partners feel special and noticed regularly (especially men), that couple is happier and more stable over time.
Solution: Do or say something frequently to show your partner that he or she is valued and noticed. Sometimes a goodbye peck on the cheek or a thoughtful compliment is all it takes to make a partner feel loved and appreciated.
If you are a Tastemaker Archetype, doing or saying simple acts of kindness often is especially challenging, but necessary for your happy healthy relationship. If you are a Caregiver Archetype, giving and receiving these simple acts of kindness often are particularly vital to your happy healthy relationship.
Seeing the Glass Half Empty
Many couples only talk about what’s going wrong in their relationship. They end up focusing on the negative aspects of their relationship. In my study, couples who also concentrate on what’s working well—on the glass half full—were much happier over time than those who purely try to “fix” their problems.
Solution: Make a list of the top five things that are going well in your relationship and work on strengthening those positive aspects. Focusing on what’s going well in the relationship motivates you both to move forward in that relationship. Also, an optimistic approach will rub off on your partner and attract you to others who are seeing the world as “half full.”
If you are a Visionary or Advocate Archetype, this positive approach or “half full” view is particularly vital to your happy healthy relationship.
So who is the Love Doctor? Dr. Terri L. Orbuch (PhD), better known as “The Love Doctor,” is one of America’s most trusted relationship experts. She is a professor, therapist, research scientist, and author of five best-selling books. She brings her simple, straightforward, scientifically-proven relationship advice to Archetypes.com.
