What is everyone's definition of "trying really hard to make a relationship work"?

[justabuddy]

This phrase came up in a couple of posts. So I'm curious what everyone's definition of trying really hard to make a relationship work is?

[jennifer_bloom]

One thing I can think of is being patient by putting the other person above your self interest. Like I had a friend who would type very slowly, maybe 1/10th the speed that I would type at, so during conversations, I had to accept that they did not process information at the same speed as me and give up my desire for instant intellectual stimulation when we had conversations online. I do that with YouTube videos too sometimes if the person talks or thinks much slower than me, I have to accept that their pace of thought is different from mine and accommodate that by not dismissing their video to listen to somebody who talks faster than that. Cause I type so fast that I could be mistaken for a computer and not a human being.

[Nikki1989]

If you have to try that hard, it will never work in a long term. Beautiful relationships are effortless. I have been with my husband for 8 years, and we have never had to sacrifice one damn thing.

[dynamicyandere]

For me, when I read that phrase, I think of doing everything in my power to help a relationship heal, strengthen, or thrive.


Trying really hard may also be a way to express someone who has maxed out their efforts and are unsure what else to do.


What this looks like is placing the relationship in a very high priority (if not highest) and putting a lot of time, energy, attention, and sacrifice into helping the relationship improve.

[lightbulb27]

Listening and making changes to honor the relationship so there is peace at home but all parties are moving in a good direction in life.

[chrissykerdock]

do what you can do to pleasure a woman

[slatyb]

If it feels hard, it's the wrong relationship.

[Wonderingguyy]

Sacrificing your happiness

[TheSpaceGnome]

Thats just another way to say incompatible.

[DreamLife7]

The person doesn't want them