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Love is a beautiful feeling, and starting a new relationship is blissful. In the early stages, you feel giddy, with butterflies in your stomach and hearts in your eyes.
The honeymoon stage, typically lasting 3 to 6 months, makes you feel unstoppable and eager to spend every moment together. However, many relationships fade after this phase, leading to a sense of numbness.
Have you ever wondered why relationships don’t last or what you might be doing wrong? If you’re seeking answers, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll explore common pitfalls and share insights on avoiding relationship don’ts to maintain a lasting, fulfilling connection. 
1. Prioritizing your relationship above life
Making your relationship your main focus and forgetting other aspects of your life can be dangerous. This act may lead to conflicts or disappointments in the long run, which may make you feel like your whole world is crumbling around you.
Though prioritizing your relationship is a commendable act, don’t make your relationship your entire life. Invest in a variety of activities to find fulfillment. This will prevent future disappointments and give your relationship some breathing space.
2. Expecting your partner to be a mind reader
The assumption that your partner should know how things will make you feel is a mistake and when this expectation is not met, it can lead to disappointment.
Many people believe their partner should automatically become a mind reader, which is not realistic. Learn how to communicate and speak up in your relationship. Verbalize your emotions by letting your partner know how their actions make you feel.
3. Forgetting yourself
It’s easy to get lost in the blissful feeling of romance. You might start doing things simply because you think it’s what your partner wants, even if it goes against who you are.
For instance, before you got together with your partner, he used to be attracted to slim women. Now that you and your curvy figure have won his heart, you start looking for dieting options to become slim.
You become uncomfortable in your skin, and in the process of wanting to become someone you’re not, you lose yourself. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good for your partner, remember to do so without losing yourself in the process.
4. Criticizing each other
Constructive criticism is good as it helps guide and keep each other in check. Also, it can ultimately improve the relationship and personal development of the couple.
However, constantly critiquing each other’s behaviour or actions can be damaging to the relationship. Blaming each other for irrelevant things can create unnecessary tension.
5. Getting defensive when given feedback
Many people don’t know how to handle constructive criticism. They respond with defensiveness, potentially twisting feedback and making it a personal attack. This may be due to the inability to separate self-worth from mistakes.
By being overly defensive, you may have trouble having a meaningful conversation with your partner.
6. Trying to change your partner
Never go into a relationship with the mindset that you will change your partner. Either accept them for who they are or find someone who is on the same level as you.
7. Making your relationship everyone’s business
Constantly discussing your relationship with third parties makes your relationship a public matter, and also violates the privacy that should exist between you and your partner.
Seeking solutions to your relationship issues from your friends is wrong. When issues arise, the best person to talk to is your partner. It’s a shared problem that needs a shared solution.
8. Keeping secrets
Hiding the truth from your partner will only lead to mistrust and doubt in your relationship. Why would you keep secrets from the person you claim to love?
Once trust is broken in a relationship, mending it can be very difficult.
Conclusion: Keeping the honeymoon stage alive
Without a doubt, cheating, lying, and disrespect are the most common issues that can break any relationship.
But when you notice that your relationship is on the verge of breaking and can’t figure out why, understand that it is not always the big mistake. Sometimes it’s those little things that we don’t regard that take the relationship to a dead end.
Keeping your relationship alive and strong takes a lot of work. However, if you can avoid the little mistakes you take for granted, such as being defensive, keeping secrets, trying to change your partner, etc., your relationship will stay strong and alive while thriving.
