What’s the best relationship advice you ever got? Maybe it was from your grandma, your best friend, or some random stranger who looked like they knew what they were talking about. Well, here are ten solid nuggets of wisdom, expanded with a little humor and a lot of truth.
10) You may be together, but you are independent people.
Look, being in a relationship doesn’t mean you become a two-headed creature that moves and thinks as one. That’s cute in movies, but in real life? Exhausting.
You still have your own goals, dreams, and, most importantly, your own snacks. Yes, sharing is caring, but if you’ve been together long enough, you know the importance of hiding your emergency chocolate stash. You’re a team, sure, but great teams are made up of strong individuals. So go ahead, take that solo trip, enjoy your hobbies, and never, ever feel bad for needing alone time.
9) In a good relationship, you have three people: you, me, and us.
This isn’t some weird love triangle situation—this just means that in addition to your own identities, there’s also the identity of the relationship.
Think of it like a potted plant. You need to water yourself, your partner needs to water themselves, but you also need to water the plant (aka the relationship). Ignore any of these and things start wilting. And no one wants a dead plant (or a dead relationship). So, go on date nights, have deep talks, and check in with each other. Keep the “us” alive and thriving!
8) Talk to your partner, not everyone else, about your relationship.
Your mom, your best friend, and the barista at your local coffee shop don’t need to know about every argument you have. It’s tempting to get outside validation, but too many cooks spoil the relationship broth.
Instead, work on talking to the person who actually matters—your partner. If something’s bothering you, bring it up with them, not the entire group chat. And if your partner does something great, brag about them to others, but don’t use your relationship problems as entertainment. Nobody wants to be the couple that argues at brunch while their friends are just trying to enjoy their avocado toast.
7) Don’t start doing stuff you’re not willing to keep doing later.
Listen, if you start a relationship pretending you love waking up at 5 AM for a jog when you’d rather wrestle a bear than leave your bed before 9 AM, that’s a problem.
Consistency is key. If you start a relationship with grand romantic gestures, don’t let that die out just because you’ve “locked it down.” The things you do at the beginning—kind words, fun dates, little surprises—shouldn’t stop just because time passes. Keep the same energy, or be honest about who you really are from the start. No one likes a bait-and-switch.
6) Appreciate who your partner is instead of dreaming about who you want them to be.
Your partner is not a fixer-upper house.
If you love them, love them for who they are right now—not the hypothetical version you think they might become one day. If they’re a night owl, don’t expect them to suddenly become a morning person. If they hate sushi, don’t think you’ll convert them. Accept them, quirks and all. Love is about seeing the whole picture, not just the parts you wish were different.
5) Just because a relationship ends doesn’t mean it wasn’t a good or successful one.
Not every love story is meant to last forever.
Some relationships are like summer vacations—short, sweet, and filled with great memories. If it ends, that doesn’t mean it was a failure. Did you grow? Did you learn? Did you have fun? Then it was worth it.
Heartbreak sucks, but thinking of an ex like a “failed project” is just wrong. Sometimes people are just meant to be in our lives for a season, and that’s okay.
4) Two people can do the same thing for completely different reasons.
Your partner didn’t clean the kitchen because they love you more today. Maybe they just got sick of seeing dirty dishes.
It’s important to understand that people have different motivations. Just because you would do something for one reason doesn’t mean your partner operates the same way. Misreading intentions can lead to unnecessary arguments. Instead of assuming, ask. Communication, my friends, is the glue that holds relationships together.
3) Your partner cannot read minds. Tell them when something is upsetting you.
Look, if telepathy were real, relationships would be a lot easier. But it’s not. (And if it is, please let us know where to sign up.)
If you’re upset, SAY IT. None of this “if they really loved me, they’d know.” No, they wouldn’t. Because they are a human, not Professor X. Holding in feelings and expecting your partner to guess what’s wrong is setting yourself up for disappointment. Speak up, and save everyone a headache.
2) Don’t lose yourself trying to receive your partner’s love.
If you have to change everything about yourself just to get someone’s love, it’s not love—it’s acting. And let’s be real, acting 24/7 is exhausting.
A relationship should enhance who you are, not erase you. If you find yourself giving up hobbies, friendships, or your personality just to make someone happy, take a step back. Love should feel like a cozy, supportive sweater, not a straitjacket.
1) Relationships aren’t 50/50, they’re 100/100.
The idea that relationships should always be “equal” is a myth. Some days, one of you will only have 20% to give, and the other will have to pick up the 80%. That’s okay. What matters is that over time, you’re both giving it your all—whatever that looks like each day.
A great relationship is built on both people showing up fully and being willing to carry each other when needed. Because at the end of the day, love isn’t about keeping score—it’s about having each other’s backs, even on the hard days.
Final Thoughts
Relationships are wild, unpredictable, and sometimes ridiculous. But with the right mindset and a good sense of humor, they can also be some of the most rewarding experiences in life. Follow these ten tips, and you’ll be well on your way to building something strong, fulfilling, and maybe even a little fun.
And if all else fails, just remember: snacks solve 90% of arguments. (The other 10%? That’s on you.)
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