Haven't we all gone through the phase of "I want to wake up right next to you every morning" when we were first in love? When we're navigating through every single detail about our new soulmate, we might become so absorbed in it that we forget about the other important connections we have in our lives. And that includes our friends and family (been there, done that! And I'll never be able to express how badly I feel about it now.)
We ignore their calls, cancel arrangements, and forget to include them on our special occasions. Later, as the butterflies in our tummy fade and the relationship loses its freshness, we are consumed by an overwhelming sense of guilt for not being able to balance friendships and relationships the right way.
Often, though, the situation is the polar opposite. Friendships can affect relationships as well. When you have a lot of friends with whom you spend a lot of time, you may not devote the time to your companion that you should at the start of the relationship.
The beginning of a love relationship demands some time and effort to get to know each other and discover whether you are a good match for each other. And if you consistently prioritise your friendships over your relationships, things can quickly spiral out of control.
Why Is It Important to Strike the Perfect Balance Between Friendships and Relationships?
Finding the correct balance between friendships and partnerships is essential if you don't want to abandon one for the other. Even though you've had many lovers come and go, your friends have been a constant in your life.
They've stood by your side during your darkest moments and supported you through the highs and lows of your relationship. So it's not fair if you reject or start ignoring them as soon as a new love interest sweeps you off your feet.
In the same way, when you start a new relationship, your partner needs to spend some quality time with you to see if you are a perfect fit. You strive to steadily grow a friendship initially during the early phases of a relationship, which can take some time. Before committing to a serious relationship, your companion may want to learn more about you and your personality, which seems fair enough.
So balancing friendships and relationships becomes inevitable if you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings at the end of the day, including your own.
5 Ways You Can Build a Healthy Balance Between Friendships and Relationships
1. Be honest
It's okay if you've neglected your buddies in favour of your boyfriend or girlfriend. Just like everyone else, you are a human, and we all make mistakes. It's how you react to it that makes all the difference.
It's never too late to make an honest admission. Make no excuses for neglecting them the entire time. Tell them the truth and express your regret. They will understand if they are true pals. Even better, they can give you advice on how to deal with it so that no one gets hurt.
2. Stay in touch
When you are in a new relationship with someone, it can be all-consuming and take a lot of effort on your part. You may be so preoccupied with and for your relationship that you neglect your friendships.
It's important to prioritise your friendships too. Keep in touch with them whenever you have the opportunity. Make plans with them, spend time with them, create good memories with them, and make them feel needed and essential in your life. It should never be a case of friendship vs. relationship. That chasm must be filled.
3. Communicate with your partner
In a relationship, communication is crucial, so make sure your partner understands how you feel. Make it obvious that you want to devote equal time to each of your friends. If your partner respects your personal space, they will understand, and it will be easier for you to make more plans with your friends.
Friendship, like any other type of relationship, is a personal one. It takes equal amounts of time, attention, care, and space. And you should tell your partner about it so that they aren't offended if you go out with them.
4. Be there for them
When your friends need your support, be there for them as a loyal friend. Don't become so engrossed in your new love that you become inaccessible when your friends require help and support. Remember, they were in your life before you were in a relationship, and you will not even flinch once if they need your presence.
Remember when Phoebe said, 'Boyfriends And Girlfriends Come And Go, But This Is For Life.' That is the actual core of friendship, and it is something we should never forget.
5. Stick to your commitments
Don't cancel the plans you have made with your friends at the last moment for your boyfriend or girlfriend. That not only makes them feel so little and insignificant but also shows that you don't respect the time of your friends.
Stick to your promises unless it's a genuine emergency, and reach out to yourself when making one. Your friends shouldn't always be the ones to initiate contact with you in order to ask you out. You should also take a super-active role in calling them in for fun activities.
How Can Now&Me Help?
Our platform, Now&Me, is a safe place that makes you feel light by writing out whatever is weighing you down. It can help you engage with others and make you look at things from a different perspective about yourself and your relationship. Become a part of the larger community and understand more about how to have a healthy balance between friendships and relationships, you can get connected with a professional expert or take your first chat for free to get a fair understanding of therapy. Not only this, you can even connect with people who have had the same experiences and learn tons from each other.
If you need more tips on balancing the relationships, sign up on Now&Me and seek online counseling for it. Be a part of a non-judgmental, inclusive, and friendly community. A platform made for you to readily ask for help and let our therapists help you understand the root cause of your issues and make you aware of how to effectively tackle them.
So, download the Now&Me app for free and cultivate a good relationship with your partner with the help of qualified experts and a loving community.
FAQs
Strong friendships are frequently the foundation of long-term successful relationships. A deep friendship between couples helps in the development of a pleasant romantic relationship.
Your friends were there for you even before your new love affair. Although both of them are equally important, don't let your friends down at any cost.
Do you have any tips for maintaining a healthy balance between friendships and relationships? Share it with our community at Now&Me!
