Some of the best advice I’ve ever heard about having successful romantic relationships is to manage your expectations. This means that you don’t expect an apple out of a coconut tree. You realize that your partner is who they are and don’t expect them to be different.
This is especially true if you are expecting things out of your partner that you expect out of yourself, but don’t live up to. Why expect something out of someone else that you can’t live up to yourself?
That’s a deep thought that everyone should reflect on.
How To Manage Your Expectations In Your Relationships
1. Don’t Expect Your Partner To Be Perfect
Expecting perfection is a relationship killer. By having this mindset, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
No one is perfect.
Instead of looking for perfection, try to focus on the good in your relationship. Embrace your partner’s quirks and accept them for who they are.
Appreciate your partner for who they are, cherish your relationship with them, and be grateful for them – even when they drive you crazy!
2. Don’t Compare Your Partner To Others
This is a recipe for disaster. If you find yourself constantly comparing your partner to others, it’s a sign that you’re not happy with who they are.
Moreover, you will never be happy with who they are because they are never going to compare to other people, just like other people are never going to compare to them.
They are unique. Accept your partner for who they are and take it a step further by celebrating their unique traits!
3. Communicate With Your Partner
One of the most important things to remember in any romantic relationship is that communication is key. Both partners need to be on the same page in terms of what they expect from the relationship, and these expectations should be discussed openly and honestly.
It’s also important to be realistic in terms of what you can realistically provide for your partner. If you’re unable to meet your partner’s needs, it’s important to communicate this to them so that they understand your limitations.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that relationships take work and effort from both parties. If you’re not willing to put in the work, then it’s likely that your relationship will not be as fulfilling as you hope it will be.
4. Don’t Have Unrealistic Expectations
This goes hand-in-hand with number one. If you have unrealistic expectations, you’re going to be disappointed. Be realistic in what you expect from your partner and the relationship.
For example, we might expect our partner to always understand us, or never upset us. We might expect them to be available 24/7. Or we might expect them to always agree with us. These are all unrealistic expectations.
5. Remember That You’re Not Perfect Either
It’s important to remember that you’re not perfect either. If you expect perfection from your partner, you need to be perfect yourself. Everyone has flaws and no one is perfect.
This can be a game-changer if you sit back and think about it. Think about all the times you don’t live up to your expectations and how you would feel if someone was upset with you every time you didn’t live up to your own expectations.
Moreover, the chances are good that you are holding high expectations for your partner that you likely wouldn’t hold for yourself. This can be unattainable and a huge cause of problems in the relationship.
6. Be Willing To Compromise
No two people are exactly alike, and that’s one of the things that make relationships so interesting. However, differences can also lead to frustration, especially when it comes to expectations.
In a romantic relationship, it’s important to be able to manage expectations by compromising.
For example, if one person likes to go out all the time and the other prefers to stay home, it might be helpful to compromise by going out once or twice a week.
Or, if one person likes to spend every Sunday with their family and the other would prefer more alone time, it might be helpful to compromise by spending Sunday mornings together and then giving each other space in the afternoon.
By being willing to compromise, you can help ensure that both partners feel happy and satisfied in the relationship.
7. Don’t Play Games
Many people think that they can control their partner by playing games. This is a huge mistake and will only lead to problems in the relationship as your expectations will never be met.
Be honest with your partner and don’t try to control or manipulate them in any way.
8. Respect Your Partner
If you want your partner to respect you, you need to respect them. This means that you need to listen to them, be honest with them, and trust them. If you don’t respect your partner, it’s a sign that you don’t value the relationship.
9. Trust Your Partner
If you want your partner to trust you, you need to trust them. This means that you need to be honest with them and give them the benefit of the doubt. If you don’t trust your partner, how can you expect them to trust you?
Trust your partner unless they give you a concrete reason not to.
10. Give Your Partner Space
Everyone needs some time alone and your partner is no different. If you’re constantly demanding their attention, it’s a sign that you’re not giving them the space they need. Give your partner some space and let them have some time to themselves.
