Strong relationships are built on a solid foundation of communication.

All relationships are founded on love and trust. Once trust is broken, the relationship will inevitably begin to deteriorate, and despite efforts to repair it, it will never be the same. A primary reason relationships falter is due to a lack of communication, which leads to misunderstandings. Don’t wait until it’s too late to express your feelings to the person you’re having issues with. Avoid suppressing your emotions and letting problems fester without addressing them. Don’t ignore the small things that bother you, as they can escalate into bigger issues over time. If unresolved feelings and conflicts are continually repressed, it’s only a matter of time before they overwhelm you. Once that happens, it’s often too late to return to how things used to be.

Solve problems as they arise and remember why you chose that person to be part of your life. Relationships require effort, much like maintaining physical fitness. To stay healthy, you need to exercise regularly, be disciplined, and consistent. Similarly, meaningful relationships need time, effort, and hard work, whether it’s with a spouse, friend, sibling, or parent. Just because someone is in your life now doesn’t mean they’ll stay regardless of how you treat them. Everyone has feelings and boundaries, and crossing those boundaries can cause irreparable damage. 

Respect and appreciate each other, as you never know what the future will hold. Treat each day as if it were the last, and cherish every moment. Don’t allow love to turn into hate, as this can lead to lasting regret and resentment. Living with regret or resentment can burden you for life. Many people live with the regret of not putting enough effort on a relationship or failing to resolve misunderstandings. Avoid being someone who lives with regrets. Instead, strive to do your best in every relationship so that, if you do grow apart, you can move on without regret.

Don't let the darkness and hatred in your heart prevail. Allow the light within you to shine. Human beings need relationships to thrive; we can't function alone. We all need someone.