Just as every organization conducts performance reviews for their employees, reaching the one-year mark in a relationship calls for a review as well. It is important to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that could affect the growth of the relationship. Reaching this milestone signifies and show the difference between good romances with a strong friendship and a relationship that requires careful consideration and decision-making.
While this distinction may not apply to all relationships, the one-year mark often sets the tone for the future. It is a time to evaluate whether the relationship should continue or if it is time to explore other options. Although some relationships may not last beyond a few days, weeks, or months, reaching the one-year milestone indicates a level of commitment and seriousness.
Now that you have reached this milestone, it is crucial to assess various aspects of the relationship and ask questions. Evaluate your key performance indicators (KPIs) such as emotions, friendship, dating, romance, arguments, laughter, and shared memories. This assessment will help determine the longevity of the relationship. It will also help to evaluate if the relationship is ready to progress to the next level or not.
Who?
Who are you and your partner in this relationship? Assess your personalities and determine if there is a healthy compatibility and enough chemistry to last a lifetime. Understand how your partner reacts in different situations – when they are angry, sad, upset, hungry, disgusted, or happy. Pay attention to how they respond when playfully teased and observe the different sides of their personality that emerge. What are your reactions to each of the emotions your partner display and how do you handle your differences if there are any?
Furthermore, while it holds significance to comprehend the true nature of your partner within the confines of your relationship, it is equally important to understand who they are outside of it. Some individuals in a relationship choose to conceal their flaws and agree with everything in order to solidify the bond. However, this can create underlying tensions, suppressed emotions, and pretenses that may eventually lead to betrayal, a messy breakup, and even divorce in the end.
What?
Have you ever pondered upon your needs as my partner? Do we truly fulfill each other’s needs as a couple? This encompasses various aspects such as engaging in healthy conversations, feeling comfortable in each other’s presence, aligning our professions, attitudes, characters, and desires. It is crucial to identify both the positive and negative cues that we receive from one another. How can we communicate effectively without any pressure, abuse, anger, disrespect, or uncontrollable outbursts of pent-up frustrations?
How?
After reflecting upon the aforementioned questions, it is imperative to take it a step further and contemplate how we can progress and improve our relationship. How can we enhance our responses and implement positive changes?
Where?
This question serves as a guide to assess the current state of your relationship and determine if there is potential for further growth. To be frank, it delves into the priority of commitment. It defines the foundation of a long-term relationship. In addition, it shows if both parties are on the same page. If both partners agree to move forward, the possibility of longevity becomes more apparent. However, if there are unanswered questions and significant gaps in your evaluation, it may indicate that one partner may not invested in taking the relationship to the next level.
Nevertheless, if you envision the relationship continuing for the near future, it is crucial to start planning for the next milestones and beyond. This entails discussing topics such as finances, religion, family, future milestones, education, and most importantly, the future itself.
No matter how you look at it, evaluating the performance of your relationship is the most effective way to anticipate its future. Addressing any difficulties now is crucial to prevent them from causing bigger problems down the line.
It is essential for both parties to actively invest in the relationship and have a clear vision of future of the relationship. Being honest in your assessment will enable you to make the most of what lies ahead.
However, if your responses to most questions or evaluations lean towards the negative, it might be time to consider changing course or exploring a different direction. It is important to honestly ask yourself these questions and provide truthful answers in order to determine the next steps.
Do not hesitate to seek guidance from relationship counselors or utilize available resources to help navigate your way from where you currently are to where you want to be.
Effective communication plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy relationship. Since your relationship is, still relatively new and you both have intentions of growing together, it is crucial to engage in meaningful conversations about the past, present, and future.
Funmi Akerele
Features Editor @Naijajuice.
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