As many of us are aware, relationships tend to change a wee bit from when they first transpire compared to when they reach the status of being long-term. In the beginning, or ‘honeymoon’ phase of a relationship, if you will, sunshine, rainbows and puppies seem to blossom out of bodily ports and everything is covered in glitter.
This may be a somewhat overzealous description, but I’m hoping you know what I mean.
Once relationships begin to extend in duration, for example, after a few years, the glitz and fuzziness tends to wear off, which, honestly, is quite understandable.
What is important, however, is to toe the line between being realistic and being lazy.
So, so often, we get lazy when we are with someone romantically after an extended period of time. It makes sense, really; the effort and enthusiasm we exhibit towards someone we are attracted to in the beginning phases of a relationship is often diminished once we do actually snag the attention of said person. The hardest part of working up the courage, being vulnerable, and taking the risk to ask someone to be part of your life romantically is over. We get comfortable. And while comfortable is not bad thing, it can, when undisciplined and dealt with with lax, become laziness.
Long-term relationships (presuming they’re healthy and not toxic) are a means to show investment and commitment to someone we love. They require attention, self-improvement, effort and time, among other altruistic things. They are not something we should treat lightly nor treat with indifference if they originate from love.
This will likely sound cliché, but life is too short for us to lose sight of once what brought two people together to feel and experience love. Long-term relationships deserve and require the same investment given when they first began.
** Blaine?
ontheedgeofeverything 