Whether you are starting something new or you have been committed for years, the value of other people’s relationship questions and answers is always helpful.
Remember that though everyone is unique, all relationships are more or less similar. Another couple somewhere out there has faced the challenges you now face. Your relationship highs have been another pair’s good times too.
That means that there is a lot to learn!
With this in mind, here are 22 of the most common relationship advice questions and answers.
When does a relationship become exclusive?
Quite frankly, a relationship only becomes exclusive when both individuals involved decide to make it so. The key word there is “both.”
Many people do not like having the “define the relationship talk.” Instead, they want things to run more organically without being marred by uncomfortable and high-pressure conversations.
However, by avoiding this very important conversation, you will commit yourself to a grey area where your relationship survives on hopes and assumptions that you are both on the same page.
How do you know if it’s true love?
Contrary to popular belief, true love is not about butterflies in your stomach or fireworks whenever you kiss your partner. It is also not something you can tell right off the bat.
It takes time for true love to grow and get to know each other. If given all that you still care for this person, want the best for them, and want them in your life, then you are probably truly in love.
How to impress my partner’s parents?
Meeting your partner’s parents can be nerve-wracking. Whatever their relationship with their kid is, it always feels nice to know that they like you and approve of the relationship.
The best way to impress a partner’s parent is to be yourself. Most of them will see right through the phony mask you put on, and this might actually lose you points. However, it doesn’t hurt to tone things down a bit if there are extreme differences in ideology just for the sake of peace.
How to get my partner to make more time for me?
First off, you need to communicate your need for more time and attention. Your partner may not even realize how their absence affects you.
Another important tip is to find fun things to do. That way, it is not just about spending time together but having quality time where you have fun and bond a little more.
You could also make plans in advance to spend time together, especially if it is crazy schedules that are keeping you both apart.
How to talk about money?
The situation with a couple’s finances is often the main source of stress in a relationship as the conversation about money can be quite touchy. First, you need to establish your “roles” and your financial expectations for each other.
Do you want a traditional, patriarchal system where the guy takes care of everything or most financial responsibilities? Do you want to go fifty-fifty on things? Or do you want a hybrid system?
Whatever the case, you need to get on the same page to avoid major, inevitable issues down the line.
I think my partner is cheating on me. Should I confront him?
It honestly depends. Do you have proof or witnesses? Are you going on a hunch and making assumptions?
The accusation of infidelity can be deeply offensive, especially when your partner is innocent. So, take your time and gather as much proof as you can before confronting them.
However, if you have a safe-space kind of relationship with excellent communication, then you could try to table your concerns and insecurities.
Why won’t my partner change his behavior even though he says he loves me?
This might be a bit harsh, but maybe the answer is that they do not love and/or respect you as much as you hope they do.
However, there are times when deeper-rooted issues are responsible for the behavior. And those need to be addressed for change to begin. So, take a more patient and less accusatory approach to avoid defensive reactions.
How do I stop being jealous when I see my partner talking to other women?
Jealousy and insecurity in relationships are not always bad. However, there is a fine line between endearing concern and toxic jealousy that will inevitably destroy your relationship.
The most effective way to deal with it is to talk about it. It’s the only way to let your partner know what makes you uncomfortable. That way, if they were making you insecure unwittingly, they can be more conscious.
Another way to deal with it is to keep yourself busy. The less idle you are, the less time you have to obsess over things that may just be in your head.
When is the right time to introduce your partner to your friends and family?
Meeting friends and family is a pretty huge milestone in any relationship. It shows that you trust your partner and the stability of your relationship to let other people in.
One of the best ways to know you are ready is when you can see a future with your partner. The last thing you want is to waste your beau’s time or get your friends and family emotionally invested in something you’re not confident in.
What is a healthy and successful relationship in the first place?
You probably see a healthy relationship as one where you are totally in sync, never fight, and generally have everything going well. Unfortunately, that is more like a fictional Hollywood-created relationship than a real-life one.
In reality, a healthy relationship is one where, despite all your differences, you are willing to work as a team. There is great communication, personal growth, and, most importantly, healthy fights.
Is there a place for gender-based roles in today’s relationships?
Here, it depends on your relationship dynamics. If you are a couple that believes in traditional roles, then, by all means, divvy them up that way. On the other hand, if you have a more modern outlook, you can split roles based on ability and availability.
The important thing is to ensure that you are both onboard and not feeling oppressed in any way.
Is it ok for your partner to have besties from the opposite gender?
Having a partner with close friends of the opposite gender is always a point of contention in relationships. It stems mainly from insecurities and the fear that your partner might be tempted to cheat. It doesn’t matter whether it is physical or emotional.
The answer to this question is multi-part. First of all, it is ok only if your partner goes to lengths to reassure you. They also need to set boundaries with these friends and make sure you get to know them well for your peace of mind.
How do you know when you and your partner are ready for that next step in the relationship?
It could be moving in together, getting engaged, buying property together, or even having children. All these major milestones require that you are both on the same page and ready. If there is even a sliver of doubt in you or your partner, then do not force it.
It is also important that you both trust each other and have proven to handle responsibilities that come with these relationship upgrades.
How to build trust in a relationship?
We have all felt the pains of having our trust broken; it seems to be an inevitable part of growth.
Whether it’s rather insignificant, like being caught making up excuses just because you don’t want to accompany your partner at an event, or a serious relationship no-no like cheating, a breach of trust can really hurt a relationship.
Building trust is hard but not impossible. As long as both partners realize that we are imperfect and will make mistakes occasionally, there is still hope.
Plus, it can only work if both are equally dedicated to not making the same or worse mistakes.
How do you tell when a relationship is toxic?
The most accurate way to tell is through your gut instinct. Plain and simple. If you do not trust it, you could always listen to input from friends and family who have observed the relationship dynamic.
There are also ways to identify signs that she doesn’t like you anymore. If you find any of these signs in your partner, you may still have time to end the relationship before it becomes toxic.
Finally, red flags, including cheating, any form of abuse, and poor communication or issues with your mental health are pretty much neon signs pointing to Toxicity City.
How do I know if it’s time to end my relationship?
It’s easy to start pointing fingers in a relationship, but if you believe your “partnership” has run its course and there is no turning back, you need to sit down and have a serious conversation with your significant other.
There are many red flags and dealbreakers that herald the end, and if you have started seeing them more and more, maybe it wasn’t just meant to be.
The romance died a long time ago; you have both stopped trying to make things work, the relationship feels like a battlefield… is the relationship worth saving, or is it time to pack your bags and let it go?
How much time is too much time together?
This is one of the most important questions new couples face. They’re head over heels in love and want to be together ALL the time.
But being in a healthy relationship does not mean spending every waking moment of every single day together.
If your time with your partner hinders you from other responsibilities like school or work, or if it’s stopping you from pursuing hobbies and other interests like spending time in the great outdoors, then it is too much. And if it is keeping you from family and loved ones, then you need to dial it down.
How soon after starting a relationship is it ok to get intimate?
Now that we are talking about sex, let’s tackle another common related question. How soon is soon enough? The truth here is there is no solid timeline of the ideal time to get intimate after starting a relationship.
For some people, it is as soon as they meet, while others would prefer to wait until they are married.
What matters most is that you at least get to know and trust the person you are with. That way, it is not just a physical experience but also an emotional one.
How often do couples with healthy sex lives get intimate?
According to relationship experts, the quality of the sex rather than the quantity defines how happy you are with your sex life.
That means that your bond matters more than how many times per week you do it. The goal is to make it as intimate as possible and not like a routine chore you need to check off your weekly to-do list. Learn how to be more affectionate here.
How to have better sex?
Physical intimacy can make or break a relationship as it is the physical translation of your powerful emotional connection. It is also quite a lot of fun!
However, as with anything else, communication is super important to make things work in the bedroom or wherever else you choose to get frisky with each other.
It is important to be open and vulnerable while extending the same to your partner when having this conversation.
I’ve been single for years. How could I meet someone?
Meeting someone new is easy. However, meeting the right person can only happen if you are living your best life.
You know what are the things that you love doing, but are they actually part of your social living or just wishful thinking?
If you are out there experiencing and enjoying the things that make you happy and fulfilled, you inevitably meet like-minded people.
So, get your lifestyle in line with who you are and want to meet, and you will increase your chances of finding a kindred spirit.
What does a good online dating profile look like?
Your dating profile is your virtual face. Leaving a good first impression is equally important online, and in person, so you might as well build a good profile and improve your chances of finding a good match.
Here are a few tips for building a profile that will attract the right people:
- Show enthusiasm and dedication by fully completing your profile and including some personal experiences or interesting details about yourself.
- Always upload a few pictures. Studies show that 50% of users skip profiles without a personal photo.
- Choose a good photo with natural lighting where you look decent and presentable.
- Be honest about who you are. Stick to activities and interests that are really part of your life.
- Edit and update your dating profile regularly.
- And last but not least, make sure you reveal enough info to get their attention, but keep a little bit of mystery as well.
For further reading and more questions, have a look at the best relationship advice books of this year.