10 Things to Keep Him Around (Part 2)

Part 1

1. Active listening
2. Honesty
3. The love factor
4. Flattering
5. Sex

Part 2

6. Communication
7. Hobbies
8. Interests
9. Responsibility
10. Going out of your way

A lot of couples that have lasted for decades will tell you that communication is the key to a long lasting, happy and healthy relationship and I believe this is 100% true. While communication can break down after a number of years, and connections can be lost after a period of time, actively listening to your partner (covered in Part 1) and expressing your feelings can really help bridge the gap. A lot of us can tell when something is bugging our partner and I encourage you to listen to those feelings. Ask what is going on, don't pry but let your partner know that you are there to listen and want to be there for them. This along with expressing your own doubts, fears and emotions can help build a tried and true method of communication.

Shared hobbies can build and strengthen a relationship. Starting a new hobby together or taking an interest in a hobby that your partner already has can truly help in bringing the two of you closer together. There are a lot of hobbies that I share with my partner that I never would have done on my own, for example working on our truck but sharing this hobby that he finds fascinating and fun has helped us with our team building and has taught me a great deal. I have found my own enjoyment in this activity and by stepping out of my comfort zone, have built a bridge for him to try hobbies I enjoy.

Interests are not always shared in a relationship. But as I mentioned in the section Hobbies, stepping outside your comfort zone and enjoying a hobby that your partner shares, that you may not necessarily ever do on your own, is a great way to build a lasting foundation in your relationship. Finding a shared interests is just as important. If you are having trouble finding a shared interest try having your partner make a list of all the things they have an interest in, then make a list of all the things you have an interest in. A lot of times this exercise can help find an interest that you both share and may even develop into a hobby that you can do together.

Shared responsibility is an important part of any relationship. A lot of times stress comes from these responsibilities and can put a damper on a relationship or even cause fights. This happens to every couple. But this shared responsibility can also help build teamwork. If you do not share a responsibility with your significant other it might be a good idea to find something that both of you can help be responsible for. A good starter to this would be getting a beta fish. They are easy to care for, hardy and don't require a whole lot of maintenance but they are beautiful. Starting with something small before moving onto something bigger is a good idea for many reasons. I see couples that go straight from living together to having kids and a lot of times they have not built up a solid foundation of teamwork. Teamwork and shared responsibility go hand in hand. Start small before going bigger.

Taking the time to go out of your way for your partner is one of the best ways to show that you care. This can be things such as packing a lunch for the next day at work, writing a note to remind them that you love them, or giving them a small gift for no other reason than to see them smile. All of these things I believe can help show your partner that you are willing to take the time out of your busy schedule to remind them that they are truly loved and thought about. Making sure that your partner knows that you care is very important. I see women all day that think that they are the ones who are not appreciated in their relationship, not giving a single thought to how their partners feel. If you are feeling underappreciated start by being appreciative of your partner. You would be surprised by the results.