Patience is one of those things that most of us, including myself, are not great at. It can be overlooked or taken for granted, but if you’re on the receiving end of impatience, you’ll know it! Patience can be an important way we show respect to our partner and how important they are to us. Here are some ways patience can help your relationship:

Process emotions
Some people are great at communicating their emotions clearly. If you aren’t great at expressing your emotions (or just avoid them), it can make things worse than they are. If you and your partner are dealing with a complex issue, then it is very important to not allow your emotions to take over. Giving each other some time and space to deal logically with an issue will go a long way to stopping the issue reaching a screaming/yelling match. Your relationship will thrive with both of you being calmer and more patient.

Discussing issues
When one of you isn’t ready to talk about an issue, it can be they are not in a great place mentally, emotionally, or physically for a productive discussion. By resisting the urge to push your partner to engage before they’re ready to talk, you’re clearly sending a message of love and are prepared to wait until they’re in a better spot to talk.

Getting to a decision
Often in relationship one person likes to make decisions quickly and the other person is slower to make decisions. When it comes to making a big decision together, patience is crucial, especially if you’re coming at it from different perspectives. Rushing a decision before you’ve both had had enough time to think things through is not going to help your relationship. By exercising patience, it is very likely you will make a better decision.

Navigating change
Life changes can be hard. Usually there is a transition period where you feel unsettled, uncertain, or uncomfortable. It can take time to get back to a point where things feel normal. You might be feeling or acting a bit out of balance or simply not at your best. Give the other some slack and time to adjust. Focus on keeping communication open so that you can both feel comfortable asking for each other’s help when you need it.

Growing the relationship
Committing to being patient with each other is a certain way to grow your relationship. It shows that you value the other person’s ideas and views. You may not agree with them, but seeking to understand where the other person is at strengthens the relationship and allows you both to grow as individuals.

Patience isn’t just something you practise when you’re waiting in a checkout line or teaching your kids. It’s a crucial quality to have in your relationship.

How different would your relationship be if you were both more patient?