As a Houston relationship counselor, I believe that creativity goes a long way when working towards reconciling your differences as a couple. No matter how well you get along or how much you have in common, you are still two individuals with separate needs and desires, and this can occasionally cause relationship problems. That doesn’t mean you aren’t meant to be together. It just means you’re both human.
In fact, these differences can make you stronger as individuals and as a couple. You can learn to compromise and accommodate one another’s needs. The key is communication, openness to your partner’s point of view, and often a little outside-of-the-box thinking.
Houston Relationship Counselor: One Couple’s Solution
I know one couple who is comfortable at different temperatures indoors. For a while, it was a major source of disagreement in their relationship. The husband believed that turning on the heat was not only a waste of money but also unnecessary. It was more than comfortable. But the wife was cold, no matter how much she bundled up, so she would eventually turn on the heat and then her husband would feel too warm! No matter where they adjusted the thermostat, one of them was always uncomfortable.
Their solution? Space heaters! It kept the costs down and allowed both of them to enjoy separate temperatures. Instead of trying to reach middle ground together, they found a way that they could both maintain their separate comfort levels.
From my experience as a Houston relationship counselor, I think this is a great analogy for handling other marriage and relationship problems. If there’s no way to meet in the middle, is there still a way that both people’s needs can be met separately? This may mean maintaining separate interests or spending time apart every now and then. Having a little space isn’t a bad thing, but it’s also important to make sure that you still feel connected and share activities together.
If you are having trouble working through your differences, I encourage you to work through your relationship problems with a Houston relationship counselor.
