Ash Greig's 10 Steps to Make a Relationship Work

Step 1: Comparison is the worst thing you can do.
So your ex-boyfriend had a better sense of humour. Or perhaps your ex-girlfriend had nicer, perkier boobs. Leave it at that. Stop reminding him/her. It only proves that you don’t accept him/her exactly for what he/she is. :)

Step 2: Give each other space.
You don’t want to be his/her Siamese twin. The sky wouldn’t fall if you don’t call, text, MSN or Skype him/her for a day. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, remember? :)

Step 3: Don’t lie. Ever.
Trust is the most difficult thing to earn, so don’t throw it down the drain for nothing. Be honest, because it will take you far. If you really care for him/her, you wouldn’t want them to feel hurt when they find out. :)

Step 4: Stop being paranoid.
Checking his phone for late night calls to other girls, or going through her inbox for texts messages from other guys isn’t going to solve trust issues between the both of you. :)

Step 5: Try not to forget your anniversary or the day you first said “I love you”.
Show him/her that you’ve put in the effort to remember and keep things alive between the two of you. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. :)

Step 6: Never forget to have fun.
You’ve got assignments to finish, or bills to pay. Don’t vent out your frustrations on him/her. Go to the fun-fair or for a walk in the park. Life is better with that special someone around - don’t let him/her forget that. :)

Step 7: Stop pretending and start being real.
If you don’t enjoy watching Wrestle Mania, tell him. If you don’t enjoy going shoe-shopping, tell her. Bottling up your feelings is never an answer; one day you’ll burst and he/she will not like what he/she sees. :)

Step 8: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.
So he said no to buying that beautiful $950 silk dress. Maybe she was half an hour late for a date because she couldn’t find her lipstick. Things happen; you don’t need to make it complicated by picking a fight over trivial matters. :)

Step 9: Get creative. 

Cliche as it may sound, it does wonders to maintain a healthy relationship. Leave little notes for him to find in his book or wallet. Learn how to say "I love you" to her in 10 different languages. Paint something together. :)

Step 10: Communication - the most important key to a successful relationship. 

The day you stop sharing your feelings is the day things take a turn for the worse. Explain to her the reason why you feel like quitting your job. Discuss with him your ideas on furnishing your home. He/she is there to listen and comfort you; and to understand and plan with you. :)

~Ashley Greig~