A relationship between two people may start with obvious things: passion, common interests, fun. It’s exhilarating, you feel special! Then you adjust to the realities of building a life with your partner. This, too, can be exhilarating, a journey you share together. But it can also be unexpected, confronting, maddening or even plain boring. What’s wrong? Or if nothing seems ‘wrong’, why doesn’t it feel right?
Life also brings stresses to all of us. We handle them in different ways and so do our partners – and this can be challenging. Do you have to agree? What if your partner doesn’t seem willing to compromise? What can you do?
Sometimes a relationship can also highlight things you didn’t know were there, but that someone close seems to bring out in you. That can be liberating but doubts or fears – even anger – may come up first. But is that about the other person? Or is it you? Or is it the dynamic you have together?
The Australian College of Relationship Counsellors have developed the following resources based on their extensive experience with common issues faced in relationships.