Should You Be Managing Your Expectations in a Happy Relationship?

Falling in love is the most beautiful experience. You have a spring in your step, a song on your lips, and butterflies in your stomach. However, staying in love may be quite a different feeling as emotions gradually get altered and you starting to understand that it’s time to manage your expectations a bit better. But how?

Should You Be Managing Your Expectations in a Happy Relationship?
Quite often, we have high standards of love and romance stuck in our head thanks to the influence media in the form of romcoms and chick flicks. All the Mills and Boons novels that have elevated our expectations have never prepared us for the questions that we encounter in real life. To get a better idea of what real relationships are and could be like, check out the relationship advice column of a magazine or your local newspaper or get help from online advisors! The fact remains that people are wired differently, and hence when it comes to relationships, the reality of love may be quite different from our expectations.

Here is just a quick and gentle reminder that life does not go according to plans but in the end of it all – love will always be worth it! Here are a few funny, but true, expectations vs. reality when it comes to relationships:

Asking Out

So you’ve been getting to know this amazing person, and you have received all the hints that they may have an interest in you. They casually ask you to meet you someplace, and you have a feeling that you are going to get a majestic proposal asking you to go out with them. Excited much?
Quite likely, this is how it will pan out:

Expectations

 

Reality

 

Handling Rejection

Sometimes, asking someone out may not work flawlessly. But that does not mean that a rejection has to be harsh or brutal. You would think that you would take rejection gracefully and that would reflect your true character.
However, this is what it may look like:

Expectations

 

Reality

 

First Date

Regular dates are the best way to keep the spark alive in your relationship. The first date is a milestone that lights this flame. It is a reflection of what your stable relationship will look like and is a stepping stone towards something magical.
Both of you would definitely make an effort, here’s how:

Expectations

 

Reality

 

Arguments

So you must have understood by now that no relationship is “perfect” and disagreements are bound to crop up. So naturally, you would have a ready plan for taking care of arguments, right?
Check how it differs:

Expectations

 

Reality

 

Cute Texts

Communication is the cornerstone that lays the foundation of any healthy relationship. We humans have evolved from the times of yore when lovers sent long letters professing the sincerity of their love. The current generation has compressed love in fewer characters, but the emotion has remained unchanged. What is a relationship if it does not have the cute texts that can make you smile?
Which of the following is more relatable for you?

Expectations

 

Reality

 

Stay at Home Date Nights

If you are settling into a routine with your partner, it may get monotonous. The best way to spice things up is by having occasional date nights. It is a great way to rekindle your passion and get to know your partner better even after years of courtship.
For stay at home date nights, you don’t have to bust the bank and can set everything up in the comforts of your home.
But what really happens during a stay at home date night? Just a snippet:

Expectations

 

Reality

 

Eating Out

Sometimes, you have to do much more than arranging a date night at home. And that’s where eating out enters the picture. Eating out not only gives a change of scenery, but you also don’t have to fret about cleaning up after! Therefore, you can be more immersed in the wonderful eating out experience over any other intrusive thoughts.
Here is what eating out looks like:

Expectations

 

Reality

 

Sleeping Together and Cuddling

Sleeping next to each other and cuddling is an unadulterated act of intimacy where you can allow yourself to be vulnerable around your partner. Couples that sleep together are supposed to have reached the ultimate bliss, right?
Sleeping together is much like this:

Expectations

Reality

 

Surprises

Who doesn’t like surprises? From grand surprises that will sweep you off your feet to little ones that make a big difference – every surprise is welcome. When you share such a deep bond with your couple, sharing surprises becomes all the more special.
Do surprises vary based on your expectations and the reality that is served to you? Take a look:

Expectations

 

Reality

 

Moving In

Moving in may be a major milestone in your relationship. It cements your relationship and opens up a whole new world of experiences. When you decide to move in, you have to be mentally prepared to have your loved one around you at all times.
At. All. Times!
If you think moving in may seem stressful – you may or may not be correct. In most cases, this is how it pans out:

Expectations

 

Reality

Conclusion

The truth may always vary from what art depicts through films, poems, and stories. However, the relationship that you have is as real as it can get and will always outweigh the fictitious utopia. Every relationship is different and takes time to develop into a blossoming success. Each person needs to appreciate and cherish every little thing that makes a relationship enchanting. Even though the reality may be quite unlike the idealistic images in your head, if you have a loving relationship established on the bedrock of affection, trust, and mutual respect; then you already have a love life that greatly exceeds any expectations.

We hope that you found this list relatable and it has put a smile on your face!

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