15 Best Tips To Fix A Broken Relationship Effectively

Ways To Fix A Broken Relationship

1. Return To Where You Started

Re-evaluate what brought the two of you together. What you loved about each other and the nuances that seemed cute then but irritate you now. There were reasons for loving your partner, so dive deep into your heart and remind yourself about those.

2. Communicate Openly

Communication is the key to a healthy relationship with fewer chances of misunderstanding. Keeping quiet about certain things leads to an endless blame game in our minds. Do not assume your partner understands everything you are feeling. It is not necessary that both partners will have the same emotional intelligence. Something said casually or in humor may have hurt you, and your partner may have no clue about it.

Communicate openly and tell your partner what hurt you instead of keeping it bottled inside and becoming bitter about it. If something about your partner is bothering you, like their smoking habit or spendthrift nature, do not brush things under the carpet. Tell them what is bothering you and try to find a solution together.

Quick Tip

Set up a weekly couple’s meeting where you discuss the issues openly. This allows you to address everything in one go.

3. Eliminate External Factors

Sometimes, it is hard to realize that issues are building between partners due to a third person or thing. Find out who the bad apple is and be open with each other – make sure no one is filling the other’s ears. Do not let external factors be the cause of any mistrust or bad blood. Remove anyone with negative energy that comes between you both.

4. Learn To Forgive

Everyone makes mistakes, and if your partner is regretful of their actions, it is worthwhile to forgive them. Forgiveness and empathy might help detach from the pain and start afresh on a positive note. Make sure your partner is genuinely sorry and does not intend to repeat the mistake. Take the higher ground and forgive to move forward in the relationship. Do not let the past hold you back, even if healing the past hurt proves to be difficult.

5. Set Boundaries

Every relationship is based on mutual understanding and compromise. If rules need to be set, they should be followed by both of you. For instance, if you want your partner to spend Sunday afternoons with you, make sure you do not have other plans either. If you want your partner to quit smoking, you, too, abide by the rule. Play a fair game – rules apply to both.

6. Share Something Special

If your relationship is in troubled waters, it is time to take the anchor. Plan something special for your partner. Spend quality time doing something fun like you used to do before. Try to shut out your problems for a while and be like old times. This is an excellent way to reignite a dimming fire, remember the good times, and express how much the relationship means to you.

7. Accept Your Partner Wholly

 When you get into a relationship, you love the person for who he/she is, not for who you want them to be. So, learn to accept the little nuances. Not accepting all the facets of your partner will eventually lead to frustration and resentment. Try to overlook the small things and communicate about the big things.

8. Let It Be Fluid

Couples often split because they get very rigid and polarized about their ideas. It becomes a case of ‘my way or the highway.’ This is very unhealthy as you are not open to any views or ways of your partner. Be fluid and open to suggestions and ideas from the other side. Respect what your partner says, feels, and does, and you will be respected back.

A blogger recalls her own personal experience of dealing with a half-happy relationship. She explains that it is important to realize that carrying the baggage of the past only worsens the present, further adding that it is important to accept the other person as is, to establish a jubilant bond. “I need to work on handling the hurt in a constructive way and work on making me a healthier, happier person, so when tough things come my way, I can ride them out much easier. Working on myself will inevitably make working on our present issues more doable (i).”

9. Remember, The Honeymoon Period Does Not Last Forever!

Initially, everyone puts their best foot forward in a relationship. We put on our best clothes and our best behavior. But with time, you see a shift in character and all the realities. Be open to understanding that no one is perfect. Probably, your partner also sees things in you that are new. Make a sincere effort to adjust to each other instead of giving up so quickly.

10. Show Some Interest

As the relationship gets older, our partner may take things for granted. We put the relationship in auto-mode, expecting the passion to remain the same even though the enthusiasm is missing. Show interest in your partner. Ask them about how the day was or what happened at work. Ask how the ballet lesson or the golf practice went. Keep your interest and communication alive. Silence can be a sign of comfort, but it can also be deafening.

11. Avoid Heat Of The Moment Arguments

Avoid saying things in anger and rage. Do not bring up the past and nag when both of you are arguing. Back off, and later when both have calmed down, communicate with reasoning and openness. Words uttered in the heat of the moment are often rude and hurtful. This may worsen the situation that is already sensitive and widen the breach.

Quick Tip

If you see yourself or your partner clenching fists or jaws and talking loudly, take a deep breath or two. If you think you cannot handle the argument, walk away, cool down, and come back and talk to your partner calmly.

12. Do Not Isolate

Many of us tend to practice withdrawal when things get unpleasant. This attitude can be very depressing for your partner. It leads to frustration due to a lack of communication. Learn to let your partner in. If you cut yourself off from your partner, your problem might seem distant, but you might drift away from your partner. You need to lose the problem, not the relationship.

13. Reignite The Flame

Sometimes, boredom can creep into a relationship due to daily responsibilities and the absence of romance. Rekindle the romance through small and big gestures. Take a holiday together or a walk after dinner, holding hands. Make an effort to give each other time and attention. Create an ‘us’ time where you form your bubble of love and romance. Do fun things together and make each other smile, reminding yourselves how things used to be.

Quick Tip

You can reignite the flame by flirting with each other more often or go on a staycation to rediscover and explore each other.

14. Respect Choices

Each of us needs our space and time. Respect each other’s space, choices, and boundaries. If your partner does not like to party, do not force them to go out. Set your boundaries where your partner respects your time with friends, and you respect that they do not want to be among the crowd. Boundaries are also limitations on what we will or will not tolerate. It is a matter of self-worth and respect.

15. Spice Up Your Sex Life

Lack of sex often leads to the breaking of a relationship. Try to spice things up and make your sex life exciting with variations and foreplay. Express your love often, whether verbally or in bed. Do not hesitate to be open about your desires. The physical connection can also help you reconnect with your partner mentally.

Infographic: Activities To Rekindle Romance

The suggestions shared in the article will help resolve disagreements and fix your broken relationship. You can also indulge in activities to strengthen the relationship. We have listed some activities that you can engage in as a couple to reignite passion and intimacy. Scroll down and take a look.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you fix an unhappy relationship?

Yes, in many cases, it is possible to fix an unhappy relationship. However, it is very important to first understand why the relationship is not working. Some things that might assist in fixing a relationship are rebuilding trust, improving communication skills, couple’s therapy, and self-reflection for conflict resolution. In case there is abuse or trauma involved, it may not be possible to fix the relationship.

What are the signs of a broken relationship?

Resentment, a lack of mutual respect, trust, communication, intimacy, and sex, contempt, dishonesty, and a desire for space and distance are some signs of a broken relationship.

How do I save a dying relationship?

Don’t give up on the relationship but take a break from it to think things through. An honest conversation with your partner about your feelings and the good times can go a long way in rejuvenating the relationship at present.

How do I fix a relationship after losing feelings for my partner?

Try to understand what has changed, start communicating what you feel to your partner, and see if both of you can figure out where it’s coming from and if you see a future together. If you find yourself on the same page, the sparks will rekindle and the rest will take care of itself.

How do I know if my partner is committed to fixing the relationship?

Observe their actions to gauge if they are really interested in giving the relationship another chance. Taking time out to make the relationship work again, be it doing things you like or actively taking steps to rectify past mistakes, is an important sign of their commitment.

Does couples therapy help fix a broken relationship?

It can help you understand each other more clearly as well as give you an insight into the deeper issues in your relationship and offer ways to resolve them.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover three powerful strategies to mend the cracks in any broken relationship in this video. Let these genuine tips guide you towards healing and rekindling the love that once flourished.

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Ellen J.W. GigliottiLMFT

     

Ellen J.W. Gigliotti is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience and the owner of a private practice therapy group in Pennsylvania, US. She is a former journalist and is currently finalizing her first book. She loves dogs, travel, and reading and is looking forward to launching her new podcast, Two to Talk: Steps and...more

Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Sneha has a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, a professional Relationship Coach diploma, and over four years of experience in writing. She writes about relationships and lifestyle. Sneha began her career as an instructional designer, shifted to freelance technical and research writing, and self-published a novella on the theme of adolescent mental health. She also...more

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Gracia Odile is a teacher-turned-beauty and lifestyle writer with three years of professional experience. She has a bachelor's degree in English from St. Stephen's College, a master's in Anthropology from the University of Madras, and a degree in education from GGSIPU. She is passionate about understanding the intricacies of human interaction in various cultural contexts. Her empathetic approach and captivating writing...more