For someone my age, I am often questioned as to how in the world I am able to make a relationship last for over 4 years. Well, the formula is simple; here are my 5 most recommended tips for maintaining a long lasting and healthy relationship.

1. Be Honest With Yourself

It’s clear that you and your significant other should be able to tell each other everything, however, you should be able to make minor mistakes as well. Honesty and forgiveness go hand in hand with each other. The more you remain honest with yourself, the more likely you will gain responsibility for your own actions. Arguments and misunderstandings are bound to happen, but staying honest, open minded, and forgiving will lead to the solution of many problems.

2. Always Communicate First

It’s important to communicate plans with one another, but it’s also important to know when you’re planning too much. That boundary is up to you and your significant other to decide. For instance, if you want to have three kids and to adopt two, it’s important to know years in advance if your partner's feelings are mutual. However, if your partner would rather just “go with the flow”, or if they have no intentions of having children at all, it’s important to be aware of this before the time comes. Thus, communication is KEY.

3. Compromise From the Get-Go

If you two butt heads over something more than once, then it’s time for a compromise. Compromises can be as simple or daunting as deciding where to eat, or where to live. They are important to begin doing from day one. They should also be healthy compromises. Meaning, the outcome should be relatively equal. If one person always ends up getting the short end of the stick, then it will ultimately lead in unhappiness or discomfort in a relationship.

4. Know When to Be Serious, Learn How to Have Fun

It truly is important to have fun in a relationship. Going on dates, cracking up at jokes, and simply enjoying each others’ company are all healthy; although, prioritizing seriousness is a vital skill to learn. This can adhere to any relationship, at any stage. It’s perfectly okay to hold off on hanging out in order to asses important business in your life. This business can be as serious as a death of a loved one, to as simple as wanting to save money. Now, this also goes both ways. Being serious too often generally leads to a mundane routine. If you’re bored, try a new food, or travel to a new place, whether it’s to the beach or to another country, being excited with your significant other will strengthen your relationship in the long run.

5. Become Best Friends

Finally, if you can’t become best friends with your partner, then what’s the point in it all anyway? Don’t waste your time on people you don’t see yourself getting that close to. The ultimate goal in building a relationship should be to be able to be certain that you have built an everlasting friendship.