In any relationship, compassion plays an integral role in how you understand and relate to your partner. It is a distinct emotional state that stems from a place of love and sadness. It means to ‘suffer together’; however, in relationships, it is the feeling that is sparked when you see someone else suffering and want to do what you can to help them to relieve the suffering.
There are many ways to cultivate a compassionate relationship, from actively listening to caring for yourself. Making the resolve in a partnered relationship to build compassion for one another is one of the most important things you can do. It takes time and practice to build understanding in a relationship or act with empathy at the forefront of your mind. Still, once it becomes second nature, you will notice a massive difference in how it affects the dynamic and nuances of your relationship.
Compassion and empathy are excellent skills in any relationship and help people grow into better versions of themselves.
Active Listening
Active listening is one of those skills that many assume is in their second nature. However, it is much more complicated than it sounds; it takes time, patience, and total concentration. It involves paying attention in conversation, not drifting off to somewhere else, or constantly thinking about what you want to say next. In a relationship, this skill helps you truly understand what your partner is saying.
Making proactive steps to listen to your partner actively looks like the corollary: not interrupting, repeating what they have said back, and demonstrating concern. If you take time to actively listen to your partner when they have a problem, anxiety, or just something on their mind, you will notice that you can build up trust and a rapport.
Gifting With Understanding
Some people might think showering their loved ones with gifts and treats is an act of compassion; however, while this is nice, it also can deflect from really investing thought into your partner. One way to gift with understanding is to give gifts that are thoughtful and considered. Your partner wants or needs to show them that you know them and have thought about their interests. There are so many types of gifts to choose from for example; you can personalize your present for your partner with these best gift basket ideas and choices.
Take Time for Yourself
A really important tip for anyone looking to cultivate human relationships is to take time for yourself, to give yourself the compassion you need to grow. Setting time aside for yourself and your needs will make space in your relationship for the needs of others. If you are having troubles of your own but ignore them to relieve the pain of others, you can cause more problems in the long run. You need to carve out time that is entirely for you. There are many ways to do this, from therapy to journalling, all of which will give you time and space. Having individual experiences can help you understand the value of compassion for yourself and others while also helping you grow as a person. Without addressing your own needs, you will not be able to address the needs of others. Thus, it is essential to take time for yourself to cultivate compassion for your inner desires, which will inevitably translate into your broader relationships.
Have Fun
Enjoying your time in relationships is extremely important, which means you have to find time to have fun with one another. The hustle and bustle of life can result in you not taking a moment to enjoy the good things, which includes joyful moments with your partner. Without these times, you will be clouded and find it harder to be compassionate with one another.
There are many ways to set time aside to have fun, from enjoying a book together to cooking a meal, you must enjoy each other’s company. Laughter and enjoyment make room for compassion in relationships.
Be Deliberate With Your Compassion
Just thinking about being compassionate is not enough to make a lasting impression on your relationship. You need to actuate some of the following ideas. Your thoughts and ideas need to become second nature, which for many people is a hard thing to do. Writing things down can help make your thoughts become second nature and help you to make a conscious effort to change behavioral patterns. For example, if you notice that you are not actively listening to your partner, make a conscious effort to stop, take a breath and re-engage with them. Tell them that you lost concentration and that you are ready to listen again. This will show you and your partner a willingness to engage and want to hear what they have to say.
