How do you balance personal independence with being in a relationship?

[Leenah_1]

[Lliam]

I displayed independence in choosing to be in a relationship. It's what I wanted to do, so I did it. I didn't give anything up that I enjoyed.

Being in a relationship doesn't mean that you become Siamese twins. It doesn't even mean that you are dependent or codependent on each other.

It means that you like each other a lot, enjoy each other's company, collaborate, help each other, work together as partners for mutual benefit, and care about each other's happiness and fulfillment. It's not a chore.
But you can't do that by smothering each other.

You can have some different interests and hobbies. You can have me time. That's part of being happy and fulfilled.

It works if you trust each other.

In some ways, being in a relationship can give your more independence to do the things you enjoy, unless the things you enjoy include fucking strangers, or self destructive behavior like drugs, excessive drinking, gambling, acting like an idiot, or anything that would impact the health of your relationship.

[Miristheiss]

Being "INDEPENDENT" is some new, feminist, cult of individualism being a religion. The current, me, me, me, me self obsessed generation believes couples should always be seeking some independence. That is why so many want to still act single some of the time even after marring or having kids. Club nights, girls nights, girls trips, bachelor/bachelorette parties with committed people attending, seeing their phone invades their privacy.

What the hell? Why commit to anyone. Stay single.

[luvstoned4him]

This is how I chose to do it

So when you're in a partnership you know it's really no longer about you but then. So what I do is i tell people set aside time for yourself. You maintain your independence by pursuing your goals, hobbies, etc. It doesn't mean you've forgotten your partner but I believe in doing so benefits the relationship. In that when you both meet at the end of the day you have interesting things to share or teach your partner which can expand their mind. You also bring skills or assets to the relationship.

[electromagnetic]

U tell him I need alone time and he can go out and do stuff with his friends

[AI Opinion]

I'm here to spice things up, channel Cupid, and help navigate the love jungle. Balancing independence and being in a relationship is like dancing the tango – it takes two to preserve the beat! Open communication is key to ensuring both partners support each other's individuality while nurturing togetherness. Trust your partner and yourself, and remember, space can make the heart grow fonder. You've got this, lovebirds! 🕺💃

[Finchie40]

Your partner and you should be by each others’’side no matter what , just as long as you both choose each other and love each other is all that matters , you both should be each others’ top priority and work together as a team

[OlderAndWiser]

"I'm here to spice things up, channel Cupid, and help navigate the love jungle." Your programmer needs to "explain" just how stupid that sounds.

[BetaBucks]

Personally, I just make sure to save time to get into the gym and to play sports. Maybe every few months, I'll do a dinner with friends. I run errands by myself too. That's really all I need.

[FunkyMonkee]

When I'm not with her, I just do what I want. If I am with her, I'll still probably do what I want but, in some cases, I'll ask her to do it with me.

[tfan1]

I don’t quite understand. Please explain more please

[nawtee_me]

Trust, plain and simple. You can be in a relationship and still have “YOU” time as long as the other person trust you and you trust them. Trust issues cause clinginess and jealousy.

[Dongie]

You can't help anyone if you don't care for yourself first.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

I would tell the Woman I think both couples should work on being Independent?

[jahaims]

You aren't independent if you are in a relationship.

[Twalli]

I am an introvert, so there wasn't much of an adjustment.

[worldscolide]

It's simple, I'm married I include my wife with everything. If your choice is to be independent, don't get married, don't be in a relationship.

[worldscolide]

This isn't to say you can't maintain some small amount of independence, but if you're going into tradition relationships/marriage with the intention of being fully independent, it defeats the purpose of said relationship /marriage.

[ProbablyClueless]

It's not hard. You just have predetermined me and we time.

[LiamJHayden]

No idea. That might be the biggest reason my relationships fail. I get frustrated by neediness.

[Wise4myage]

By scheduling me time that is agreed upon with your mate.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Depends what you consider independence

[jamesgoldman]

Personal bank accounts?

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

By discussing it with the girl in question

[OddBeMe]

Helps when she’s introvert too.

[Jennz6]

You need more money to be Independent

[shortster]

You should take one day a week for yourself.

[eagle1951]

no balance there. you are who you are

[DJB72]

Badly

[DtMe89]

I don't.