Who doesn’t want to become a better version of themselves? We live to eat, drink, travel, and much more, but we also desire to grow and improve.
Sometimes we do it completely alone, and other times we have that one special person in our life that helps us evolve and make us a better person.
For me, that’s my wife, who has spoiled me with love for the last 15 years. We share interests, perspectives, experiences, knowledge, and passion for books, movies, and travel.
Let me show you 10 things a loving partner does to make you a better version of yourself.
1) They show emotional support
A loving partner is here for you during challenging times. You can always express your true emotions in front of them, and they’ll show empathy and understanding.
Did you ever worry about a pile of bills in front of you? Were you ever been overwhelmed by stress and anxiety? I’m sure the answer is yes for most of us.
But you’re not alone in this when you have a loving partner. They are there for you, ensuring you don’t face difficult situations alone.
You can share your troubles with your partner, and they will listen and offer words of comfort and remind you of good things in life.
2) They are your grocery guru
My wife always says if you don’t have a list and stick to it, you’re not going shopping.
To be honest, I was never into grocery lists. I was just buying what I liked and running as fast as possible from the store, avoiding big crowds.
But not my grocery guru, no.
She turns grocery shopping into a competitive sport, challenging you to find the best deals.
She challenged me to improve my navigation skills through crowded stores for years. A sergeant would be easier on his cadets than my wife with me during shopping.
But let me tell you something, I learned how to make healthier food choices and how to save time and money.
It also taught me teamwork and being more responsible. Plus, I’m familiar with more food choices now than ever before.
3) They’re tech-savvy
Not everyone is great with technology, computers, and apps. Sometimes your partner becomes your go-to tech guru by helping you conquer the digital and technical world.
Learning from your partner helps you improve your digital literacy. They introduce you to tools and software that make your life much easier.
Your confidence in using technology grows, and you become better at work and better at using technology in general.
For example, we all know how complicated it can be to set up a new phone, but your tech-savvy partner gets your phone up and running in no time.
As you learn from them and become more proficient in technology, you’ll likely feel more empowered to tackle more digital challenges in the future.
4) They challenge and encourage you
Has your partner ever tried to challenge you to learn something new? Maybe learn a new language or play an instrument?
If so, you know how much that pushes you out of your comfort zone, but that’s the point. That’s when the magic happens.
Picking up new stuff also requires practice and dedication, discipline, and constant work. But is there a better feeling than when you realize, “Oh, I’m actually good at this?“
Let’s be honest, we all need a little push sometimes, and when you have a loving partner, this becomes much easier.
They know you and your fears very well and when and where you thrive as a person. They believe in your potential and encourage you to pursue your goals and dreams.
By challenging you to challenge yourself, you grow and learn new skills, and you overcome many obstacles on your way.
In the end, you become a more confident person. But, you know what’s also great? When they lead by example.
This brings me to my next point.
5) They set a positive example
Your partner can teach you patience, empathy, kindness, respect, and much more through their actions.
They can also show you the importance of self-care, leading to a much healthier relationship and life in general.
For example, imagine not being into exercising, but your partner is. You watch them every day, sweating and working diligently.
They’re putting effort into being healthy, and then suddenly, you decide to join them too.
And then you start doing it more often and realize you feel much more energized, and even that mysterious pain that has been troubling you for a while now magically disappears.
6) They give constructive feedback
Have you ever caught yourself unintentionally interrupting your partner while they talk?
I’m guilty of that. One evening my wife told me that she noticed that sometimes I interrupt her during a conversation.
She also mentioned that she knows I didn’t mean to do it, but it’s a bit difficult for her to express her thoughts.
I appreciated her honesty and tried not to go into defensive mode immediately. I apologized for doing it, and next time I will pay more attention to it.
I also gave her more space to share her thoughts.
It didn’t go unnoticed, as she appreciated my effort. But her constructive feedback also helped me be more mindful while talking with others, and I realized it benefited my communication skills.
7) They forgive you
A good few years ago, my wife forgot my birthday. It wasn’t the nicest feeling in the world, but it happened.
I obviously forgave her and didn’t think much of it. But it made me realize there’s a lot of forgiving and compromising in partnership, and you learn that every day.
It makes you understand your behavior and motivations, but it also improves communication and leads to ownership of your actions.
If you forgive, the person on the other side can recognize the hurt they may have caused. Plus, accepting forgiveness can be very humbling.
Everyone makes mistakes, but forgiveness is a crucial step in rebuilding trust. You learn about the importance of consistency and transparency in your relationship.
8) They celebrate your achievements
A loving partner isn’t there for you only during tough times. They’re here to celebrate your successes and all the milestones you reach.
By celebrating that promotion at work, all the new things your partner learned and accomplished, and all the exams they passed, you create a dynamic where both of you strive for better things in life.
Every time you hear “I’m so proud of you,” You’ve worked so hard for this,” or “You absolutely deserve it!” know that’s a path to becoming a better version of yourself.
9) They’re sock sorting specialist
Yes, sock sorting specialist. Your partner magically pairs up all your socks, inspiring you to tackle other messy parts of your work or life you have been avoiding for a few days now (let’s be honest, it’s months, not days).
A loving partner shows you how to pay attention to the smallest details and bring order to your life. This can positively impact you in so many ways.
You recognize the effort that goes into sock sorting and appreciate even more hard work that your partner puts into the relationship.
Also, it shows the organization level and daily routines that help you be more productive by taking small steps and prioritizing.
10) They make you laugh
We all know a good laugh is a natural stress reliever. That’s why it’s so great when you have someone who makes you laugh every day.
It seems like all your stress just goes away. When you share laughter with your partner, you shift your thoughts and focus on the brighter side of things.
Not bragging here, but my wife thinks I’m very funny. I don’t find myself funny or humorous, but she always says my witty jokes help her cope with built-up stress after she comes home from work.
She becomes more resilient, she says, and realizes she doesn’t have to take everything too seriously.
Final thoughts
That one special person in your life can bring out the best in you. It can be by adding laughter, joy, or shared experiences.
Real growth happens when you experience those moments of fun, joy, and support.
But don’t forget that life is a journey, and both of you should support one another and help make yourselves much better people today than you were yesterday.
Can a relationship coach help you too?
If you want specific advice on your situation, it can be very helpful to speak to a relationship coach.
I know this from personal experience…
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