In today’s fast life, it may seem like a healthy and happy romantic relationship is near impossible to build or maintain. With the added stress of working in the digital age. The ever-present interruptions of social media. The breakneck pace at which our lives are now lived. Cultivating a good romantic relationship with your loved ones may seem like a huge task.

While no romantic relationship is comprised of sunshine and roses. It’s not impossible to enjoy a functional, positive, and mutually beneficial romantic relationship. It might take a little bit of work from both partners, but the keys to success are at your fingertips.

All romantic relationships can sum up into three factors. These factors can differ in degrees. Each factor is present to some extent in a romantic relationship.

1.Intimacy

feelings of intimacy and connectedness with our partner. This defines the openness of the relationship.

2.Passion

the factor that often drives us to pursue romantic relationships. Expressing as romantic attractions towards one another and arousal.

3. Commitment

it involves the commitment to begin a romantic relationship. Later on to, continue the relationship. This is what drives the behaviors related to maintaining a relationship.

The combinations of these three factors result in eight different kinds of love:

• Nonlove – the absence of all three factors
• Liking – only intimacy, no passion or commitment
• Infatuated love – only passion, no intimacy or commitment
• Meaningless love – only commitment, no intimacy or passion.
• Romantic love – the presence of intimacy and passion, no commitment
• Companionate love – the presence of intimacy and commitment, no passion
• Fatuous love – the presence of passion and commitment, no intimacy
• Perfect love – the presence of all three factors

Perfect love is the kind of relationship most of us hope for. Where we revel in the presence of intimacy, passion, and commitment in our relations. Companionate love is a common type of love experienced by older couples. They can measure their time together by the decade rather than by the year. Infatuated love is the kind of love we often feel at the beginning of a new relationship. Marked by a burning passion for our new partner. But without the intimacy and commitment that only time spent together can bring.

It is also common to move between these types of love in a single relationship. The relationships may start as a liking for each other. Then move to infatuated love. Then grow into romantic love, thrive in perfect love, and drift into companionate love. As the age of the relationship increases. These factors provide a useful framework, to talk about different kinds of love.

Sometimes reminding the couples, about things they have in common. This can offer a boost in their feelings for one another. This brings greater belief in their ability to work out their problems.

No relationship is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. Through this piece, I hope I have provided you with useful tools. To enhance your relationship with your significant companion.

Thank you, for taking out your time to read.

Happy Living Foundation provides Couple Counseling, Pre Wedding Consultation. We also provide counseling for Depression, Stress Management, Career Counseling, Behavior Modification. If you are living in Delhi NCR, India or any other part of the World, you can approach us through any of these mediums. Please visit Happy Living Foundation or call us at +91-9810885481

Author:
Hitesh Mohan
(Counseling Psychologist)