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Going through a rough patch in your relationship is inevitable whether you are going through it alone or your partner is or you are both going through it together. Generally, in a relationship whatever affects one affects all. It is important to know that something might be going on with your partner thereby creating distance in the relationship and that might hurt a lot but instead of acting out not many relationships can survive the effects of a rough patch no matter how little, here are ways you can help your partner and your relationship:
Communication
This never gets old, let your partner know what you have noticed over time and be genuinely interested in what is going on with him/her. When they finally decide to speak you have to listen intently as they pour their hearts out.
Don’t Be A Critic
After listening to all your partner has to say, do not criticize or trivialize what he or she has shared with you. Be very mindful of their feelings and avoid playing a ping pong of blames.
Be Available
You have to be there for your partner through his/her rough patch, let them know that you care about them and the relationship
Proffer solutions: After all has been shared and bared, help your partner come up with a game plan that will make things better. Make sure to see the execution and success of the plan.
Offer Encouragement
Encourage your partner and let them know that you will be there all the way. Let them know how worthy they are and what you are will to do to make things good as new or even better than new.
Keep The Spark
Keep the fire in the relationship burning even though it is really low from your partner’s end, let him/her know that you are holding the reins of the relationship in his/her emotional absence pending his/her full recovery. Spend more time with your partner until he/she is totally out of what they are feeling.
The Bigger Picture
Do not lose sight of why you are both in a relationship and also make sure your partner does not either, remember the good times you both had in the earlier stage of the relationship and work towards getting it back because you believe that there is more to your partner than whatever the current situation is.
No matter what, try not to lose patience during this period and offer your partner all the support that you can give.