Photography: Thinkstock Photos
At certain times in the relationship, we may find ourselves wanting to change our partner into a version of someone we want or someone a little bit similar to who we are. It's not only a girly thing; it's a human thing. Differences in personalities can sometimes create a lot of riffs in the relationship. Now, the question at hand is, at what point should we try to mold our partners into the person we prefer them to be? Or better yet, should we choose to accept them for the person they are instead?
Differences in personality can affect your relationship negatively. However, it can also benefit your relationship. It starts with understanding your own personality. Understanding your personality leads to understanding your needs not only as a person but also as a partner in this romantic relationship. Once you are aware of your own personal needs, whether that is needing space, needing quality time or needing to be around other people more, you need to communicate them to your partner. This communication of needs must go both ways. You must also be open to learning about certain needs that your partner has that comes with their personality.
The next step would be to find the good in the differences you both have. Just because your partner may not be as outgoing as you are, that does not make him any less right or any less wrong. You both are simply different and that is completely fine. The key is in appreciating those differences and finding the good. This is what will make you both nurture and protect each other in this relationship. Understanding where you differ as well as admiring those differences at the same time will really strengthen your relationship. This show of appreciation will also lead the both of you to naturally compromise. There is nothing wrong with doing things you may not enjoy for your partner and vice versa. That is called being in a healthy and respectful relationship.
We are all created differently. The exact differences you both may see as a problem now were, in fact, the reason you were able to fall in love with each other and choose one another to enter into marriage. As much as it would be wonderful theoretically to have a partner that has the same exact approach to life as you do, that would be one heck of a boring relationship. Differences in personalities can, in fact, be wonderful because we have our own sets of strengths. Each of us has been created perfectly. The moment you begin to make strategies about changing your partner, that's when you will begin to have resentment and when you don't succeed in changing someone, you will only end up feeling frustrated.
So, now… let's talk about you for a minute.
Do you spot any differences in personalities between you and your partner? Is it something you're willing to accept? And even if he never changes for the rest of his life, will you still be able to accept him?
