Is it hard to maintain a good relationship?

It definitely isn't effort free. People with the romantic idea that if you find the right person you will never fight are the ones who wind up lonely. Conflicts are going to arise. It is how you work through them that matters. Sometimes when it is nothing but conflicts, or there is violence, you have to give up on the relationship. Otherwise you should continue working at it. Looking back at the hard times is what makes the good times worth it.

Love shouldn't be so hard, but it often is. Pressures from outside sources can add greatly to it at any time during the relationship, pressure can come from: family, friends, jobs (or lack of), children, income, and all kinds of other reasons. Yes, you have to keep an open mind and heart, but it takes both people working at keeping it alive. Respect for the other person, trust, communication, and the willingness to calm down and discuss rationally instead of flying off the handle and fighting, all serve to keep a relationship on a better track. It's truly the little things that count for a lot, from hubby helping with the kids, dishes, or laundry, to little love notes stuck in their pocket for them to find when they least expect it. Love & loving feelings need to be expressed and not taken for granted. jmo

When you have found the right partner in life the maintenance is low. If the maintenance is high you are probably not with the right person for you.