Making Intentional Choices in Your Relationship: The Power of Being Intentional
Are you and your partner at a point where you're considering major life decisions such as marriage, moving in together, or starting a family? These moments can be both exciting and overwhelming, filled with joy and uncertainty. It's crucial to approach these milestones with intention rather than sliding into them.
Let's begin with Sarah's story. Sarah, a wonderful individual who had experienced heartbreak in the past, found herself swept up in the excitement of a new relationship. When her boyfriend proposed, she said yes without much consideration. However, a sense of doubt began to creep in, prompting her to seek guidance and clarity in therapy.
It's essential to understand that intentionality surpasses the length of time spent together. Research consistently highlights the significance of asking the right questions and aligning your goals and values with those of your partner. Sarah, with the support of therapy, engaged in thoughtful conversations with her partner, ensuring they shared similar life aspirations and were prepared to seek help when faced with challenges.
Sarah's past experience of moving in with a partner without considering their compatibility had led to a disastrous outcome. They were ill-suited for each other and lacked alignment in their desires. By reflecting on this, Sarah realized that if they had taken the time to discuss their major differences beforehand, they might have avoided the hardships they later faced.
In order to make intentional choices in your relationship, it's important to invest time and effort. Consider engaging in pre-engagement or pre-marital counseling, where professionals can guide you through essential discussions and provide valuable insights. Additionally, reading relationship-focused books, such as "8 Dates" by Gottman, "We-Do" by Stan Tatkin, or "Wired for Love" by Stan Tatkin, can offer further guidance and support.
To summarize, whether you're excited about marriage, moving in together, or starting a family, remember the importance of intentionality. Pause, reflect, and ensure you and your partner share a vision for your future. Seek professional assistance if needed to facilitate these important conversations. By being intentional, rather than sliding into major commitments, you pave the way for a strong and fulfilling long-term relationship.
Thank you for being a part of the Couples Counseling ATL community. We are here to support you every step of the way.
At Couples Counseling ATL, we offer our expertise and support to couples seeking to navigate important relationship decisions. Our team of experienced therapists is here to help you explore compatibility, improve communication, and address any conflicts that may arise. You can visit our website, CouplesCounselingATL.com, to book a free consultation and find the right therapist to assist you on this journey.
Click on the bottom link to watch our latest video on this topic, with our Director and Gottman-Trained therapist at Couples Counseling ATL, Stephanie Cook, where she explains the modern problem of burned-out, married parents in further detail! Finally, stay tuned these next couple of weeks to learn more about different upcoming topics!
