Relationships Require Manual Labor

Santa Clara, California
January 6, 2016 6:41am CST
I was reading some self improvement tips recently and one in particular really stood out and burned into my memory about working on relationships. I've had ups and downs in relationships but I eventually realized that relationships require hard work that really eventually pays off. I would even compare it to manual labor. I remember meeting a beautiful young lady, sweetest as can be. She had one problem which I knew about and we spoke about at the start of the relationship; she had a fiery temper that she was trying to work on. It never came out all the time, only when certain things triggered it. Everything was okay. But then I realized after being with her for awhile that she vented and screamed at little things like traffic, someone being late or a friend telling her no. Then it started on me being late or not returning her call. And she is so beautiful too. But I had to work hard on not screaming back and not getting flustered. We spoke about and she started trying to relax more often. We both had to work to not fall apart. I worked on returning calls and being on time or calling ahead to say I will be late. She worked on taking a deep breath. So be advised that the easiest part will be at the beginning before you really know that person. The rest will require some manual input.
11 people like this
13 responses
@moffittjc (121729)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jan 16
I think that's why so many relationships fail, because people don't realize how hard you must work to maintain them! And, like you said, it's always easier in the beginning, but as the relationship matures it can get even harder to keep that magic alive! It definitely takes work!
3 people like this
• United States
6 Jan 16
When you find someone that you really enjoy being with it is a no brainer that you want to work to keep that someone in your life. No relationship is perfect and requires work on both parts to keep it going.
2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
7 Jan 16
Yes there has to be work on both sides. A one sided relationship only works for awhile and then it falls apart.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
6 Jan 16
It takes a few years of hardship to tone us down. Sometimes it just takes a life-changing moment to change a person. I think fiery temper is possible to tame, but next time you can see the same fiery temper in her children.
2 people like this
@Teep11 (7673)
• United States
6 Jan 16
Relationships are work. Some you will have to work harder at and others won't take as much work. If two people are willing to make it work then they will do whatever it takes to make that happen.
2 people like this
@Auntylou (4264)
• Oxford, England
7 Jan 16
I think this is very true. Relationships are far from easy and there must be plenty of give by each
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
7 Jan 16
My ubby and I wo rked out our differences wjth love and communication and respect so we rarely ever had a real fight at all
1 person likes this
@amnabas (14681)
• Karachi, Pakistan
6 Jan 16
You are absolutely correct it really needs our input to build strong relationship.
1 person likes this
@hiru84 (942)
• Malaysia
7 Jan 16
We have many works, but if we want protect our relationships we must do many things for them. Yes, it's a difficult thing.
@T_gray (7774)
• Salina, Kansas
7 Jan 16
That is great that you are able to communicate and get through this problem. Most relationships would have failed before it even started.
@Scindhia (1906)
• India
7 Jan 16
Like all the good things in life, building and maintaining relationships is hard work. Healthy ‘give and take’ will make it strong. Learning to overlook minor differences and getting together to celebrate solid similarities go a long way in making a bond.
• India
6 Jan 16
just to have a good relation,it really needs some manual labour or input to make his/her relation really stronger,i believe,when one does this,the relation becomes really strong.
1 person likes this
• India
7 Jan 16
slow and steady wins the race, in the beginning we less know each other so every thing looks simple and new,but a long lasting relationship requires selfless love respect,tolrance,understanding,dedication and ofcourse patience and forgiveness nature.one should give enough space for other to express and expand and we should always try to be bonded more stronger than a day before.