Is it pure luck why some relationships last longer or are better than others?

Do some people just sit back and let their partner do all the work and complain when things don’t go their way?

Whatever your view of relationships – they take work to make them work. Unless both people in a relationship want it to work then it won’t!

Here are some tried and true tips to help you have happy relationships.

1. REMEMBER: Take time to look back and remember what brought you together. Especially when times are difficult, look back and rely on these old memories as your foundation to glue yourselves back together with them.

2. DATES: Keep dating each other. Even if life seems too busy, meet at the end of the evening for something light and easy, like viewing your favorite sitcom (record it if necessary) together or playing a game.

3. FUN: Couples tend to have fun on dates, then get married and be too serious. Lighten up. Go and have some fun together.

4. FORGET: No need to always remember the bad things that happened during an argument. Actively remembering your arguments just means you have it in your head for longer and you both feel miserable for longer. Be the first to apologise and make up.

5. SPACE: Give each other some space. Either you trust or you don’t. Get on with life, though. Some people need time alone and time with their mates and hobbies. Be sure to give and take your fair share of space.

6. DISAGREE: Agree that it’s okay to disagree on some issues and leave it at that. No need to create a new religion or political movement just to appease both of you. You don’t HAVE to agree on everything. And you won’t. And that’s okay.

7. MEMORIES: Make some together. Enjoy special moments, special anniversary dates and events. No need to be elaborate. For example, maybe you enjoyed watching a hot air balloon race. Next year, you might schedule time to watch it again. Make it an annual event. Collect postcards with balloons on them, playing cards, toss pillows over time it becomes a theme. Something to look back on and to look forward TO.

What are your tips?