Creating a Fulfilling Relationship

What exactly is a fulfilling relationship? Is it possible to have one or is it a myth? What if you’ve been married 25 years and experiencing a low in your relationship and can’t imagine finding fulfillment with each other ever again? What if you’ve been dating several years and want to make sure you keep the spark and happiness alive?

Over the years as a marriage therapist, I’ve heard many explanations to what encompasses a fulfilling relationship. It really doesn’t matter if you are in a committed relationship, open relationship, one that is in pre-marriage or one that has been in a relationship for 50+ years. The want for a fulfilling relationship/marriage is pretty much universal. I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say they don’t want a meaningful relationship. If they have, I’ve never believed them!

Here are some words that describe a fulfilling relationship:

Honesty Trust Vulnerability Empathy Compassion Love

Romance Respect Sex Intimacy Aliveness Attention

Purpose Presence Connection Faith Energy Passion

Vitality Excitement Communication Common interests/Hobbies

The truth is…a fulfilling relationship is a combination of the above. Co-creating a relationship vision with your partner with your needs/wants/desires in the forefront is essential.

Every day we make choices on how we want to live. That also includes how we choose to live with our partner. I urge you to contemplate whether you want to have a fulfilling relationship or if you want to settle with the same unfulfilled relationship day after day?