These 12 principles can help you learn how to sustain a loving relationship. You may struggle with some or many of these principles, but an awareness of them will help you not be completely clueless when you and your partner hit a rough patch. Mastery requires dedication to practice, even when you don’t feel like practicing. Over time, it becomes easier to get back on the metaphorical tightrope and find balance and progress in the relationship again. The same goes for your significant other. If you invalidate the other person’s truth (something that happens far too frequently in relationships), you invalidate their experience and understanding. Nothing will cause backlash and defensiveness faster than invalidating another person’s experience. If you can find a way to honor their truth, you will not only honor them, but you will find your partner more engaged and interested in working on the relationship.
