Challenging

Wouldn’t it be lovely if relationships were all wine, roses, and moonlight, just because you’re in love? Unfortunately, you don’t live in a utopia, and relationships are as much about the valleys as they are the mountain tops. You will find that when you’re down and out is when you can use effective tools to build a stronger partnership.

Instead of thinking, you have a problem, or your partner does, realize that you’re in it together. You can’t be happy if you see your man depressed and downtrodden. Supportive partners can identify problems and find ways to either resolve or cope with them efficiently.

In many failed relationships, ex-partners sometimes felt that their person wasn’t sympathetic. To support someone doesn’t mean you offer vain flattery. Instead, you surround each other with love and work on solutions to your problems together.

10 Tips for Being More Supportive

No matter the dilemma, your presence will be most welcome to him. It’s reassuring for your mate to have you beside him, even when you are silent and are just holding his hand. Here are ten helpful ways to be encouraging of your lover when she’s going through challenging times.

1. Practice Active Listening

If your auditory system is working properly, you can hear what your partner says, but that doesn’t mean you are listening. Many times, when your lover is experiencing a dark place on the road of life, she needs you to listen to him and be fully present. She’s looking to you to understand and hear what she has to say.

As a loving mate, practice active listening skills, and you will see a marked difference in your relationship’s communication. Open yourself up with neutral body language and look at him while he’s talking. Listen, not just hear his words without interrupting or thinking about what you want to say.

Also, learn how to mirror his emotions during the conversation and pause a few seconds before responding. It’s often helpful to repeat what you’ve just heard in your own words, only if he needs to clarify anything for you. Instead of offering advice, listen with your heart, and be there for him.

2. Be Empathetic

Although some scientific studies theorize that some animals show signs of primitive empathy, it’s more of a human trait. To empathize with your partner doesn’t mean that you are feeling sorry for him. Empathy goes beyond sympathy and allows you to put yourself in your lover’s shoes.

You can read a tragic news story and automatically feel for the people involved because you might imagine how you would feel. Consequently, this is necessary cognitive empathy that can influence you even for total strangers. To be emotional and compassionately empathetic, your partner’s emotions resonate with yours, and you reach out to do something about it.

3. Have a Change of Pace

When your mind is stressed, or your emotions are frazzled, it can make you anxious or depressed. Have you noticed this about your partner? You wish you could make the burden disappear, but that’s not happening.

Often, a diversion is what people need to take their minds off their problems for a while. It won’t provide a magic solution, but it can give your partner some mental rest. Do something spontaneous and have some fun together. A rested mind is more apt to figure out problems more efficiently.

4. Accept the Unchangeable

Whoever penned the iconic Serenity Prayer had an insight that was beyond this world. A sign of spiritual maturity is to realize that some issues can’t be changed and are beyond your control. Maybe your partner needs a gentle reminder that her circumstances are unavoidable.

The legendary poet Dr. Maya Angelo declared that although there are things in your life that you can’t change, you still have the power to decide how you will react to them. As a supportive mate, you can help your lover sort through situations that can be changed and require coping skills.

5. Anticipate Your Partner’s Needs

Do you and your partner often finish each other’s sentences or come up with the same ideas? Such is the case for couples who have been together for a long time. You have listened and empathized with each other for so long that you almost have a psychic bond.

If you see your beau struggling with acute or chronic issues in his life, don’t wait for him to ask you for help. Because of society’s unfair definitions and expectations, most guys view asking their mate for help as being weak. You know your man better than anyone, and your heart knows when he’s hurting before he can say a word.

6. Stay on the Same Page

The traditional homily of a partnership making two people one flesh is often misunderstood. While you empathize and feel part of each other in a committed relationship, you’ve not lost your individuality. Still, you must be supportive and work together for a union to flourish.

When your partner is coping with difficult issues, maybe at work or other challenges, be a united front. Try to find solutions together, and she will feel your supportive love. Listen intently and ask questions, so there are no misunderstandings.

7. Be an Encouragement

When your man is beaten down to the ground, you may be the only person who can lift his spirits. As committed partners, you should be each other’s biggest fan and cheerleader. Sincere encouragement can go a long way when your lover feels like he’s a loser, and everything is his fault.

Find helpful ways to offer words of praise and encouragement that are genuine and specific. Remind him of his vast talents and past achievements, and how you’ve overcome obstacles victoriously in the past. It may rev up his spirits enough to realize that nothing is forever, even problems.

8. Choose Your Battles

One of the most natural emotions to display is anger, especially for guys. In reality, anger is a formidable mask to cover fear and powerlessness. It’s not easy to be supportive when your person is taking his anger and frustration out on you.

In these cases, you can take so much until you feel like snapping. Although it’s easier said than done, try to step back and be an objective observer. When people are hurting, they usually lash out at the ones they love who are trying to help.

If your lady doesn’t feel like talking, just let her know you’ll be there to listen when she’s ready. Please resist the urge to be an armchair counselor and try to pull the issues out of her. She will probably end up feeling resentful of you, and she will shut down any conversation in the future.

When you are your lover’s safe place, she feels free and safe to display anger and say what’s on her mind. However, that doesn’t give anyone the right to abuse you verbally or physically. If your man is feeling grumpy about everything you say or do, refuse to be taken into his dark mood.

You’ll probably find that something is on his mind, and he will apologize for taking it out on you.

9. Find a Source of Strength Together

As humans, you and your person are triune beings composed of body, mind, and spirit. These work in tandem for your total well-being. If any aspect is askew, your entire being will be affected. Being supportive doesn’t mean you have all the answers or strength.

When your mate is going through a hard time, learn to draw from your spiritual strength. Look to your Higher Power together as you both perceive it. Whether your religious traditions involve prayer, meditation, or other spiritual connections, empowering your spirit can help each other when life’s storms are overwhelming.

10. Know When to Ask for Help

Even with your best efforts to be supportive, some problems are too much for you two to handle. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a mental health professional. There is no shame in seeking counseling when you need it.

Many people seek counseling from their trusted spiritual leader. You can always feel free to talk to your primary healthcare provider to refer you to a licensed therapist. Perhaps the problem is a mental health issue that has yet to be diagnosed.

Be sure that your partner is a willing participant, and you see counseling as a strength, not a weakness. She may choose to go alone or ask you to join for moral support. Choose an experienced counselor who makes her feel comfortable, so she can freely discuss the issues that are happening in her life.

Final Thoughts on Showing Your Supportive Side When Your Partner Needs You to Be Strong

When a couple is in a loving relationship, they are empathetic, even in the worst of times. In these trying situations, be the first hand that reaches out to him or her in a nonjudgmental way to form a stronger partnership. A time may come when you’ll reach out to him or her in your hour of need, and they will be there.

Reading quotes about change can help guide you through challenging times. The key is to stay positive and remember that you will get through it.

Every change brings new opportunities and experiences. Instead of letting your fear of these changes hold you back, embrace the change so that you can grow.

You’ll never reach your goal if everything remains the same. Accept changes as they come because you never know which change will lead you to the goal. While it may be difficult, you’ll look back and be glad that you did.

It may take time to heal from the pain of change, but these quotes about change should help you cope.

20 Quotes About Change to Guide You Through Your Struggles

1. “Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.” – Arnold Bennett

Change is highly uncomfortable. It requires stepping outside of your comfort zone and accepting something new. It’s hard to do, but it’ll be for the better and you’ll find a new comfort zone.

2. “The changes we dread most may contain our salvation.” – Barbara Kingsolver

It’s hard to know exactly what you want until you experience something new. Remember that the next time a change occurs, because whatever happens next could be amazing.

3. “Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” – Steve Maraboli

You can’t control everything in life. Rather than focus on the things that you don’t have control of, focus on what you can control. By doing this, the change will come easier and you’ll find more inner peace.

4. “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

While change is hard, it’s sometimes necessary to become the person you want to be. Since you can’t change what happened in the past, make sure you change the future. Don’t stay stuck in the same place just because it’s easier.

5. “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” – Socrates

Change is going to happen no matter what you do to prevent it. Instead of fighting the inevitable, try putting that energy into making the change a beneficial one.

6. “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin

The world changes, even if the people living in it refuse to change themselves. To survive, however, you must be willing to change. It’s the only way to adapt to the world and change with it.

7. “Growth is painful. Change is painful. But nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.” – N.R. Narayana Murthy

While it may be hard to accept a change or to decide to move on, it’ll be better in the long run. The pain of change will eventually fade, but the pain of being stuck doesn’t end unless you change. Make the change now so that you can begin to heal.

8. “It’s okay to be scared. Being scared means you’re about to do something really, really brave.” – Mandy Hale

As stated before, change is hard. It’s also terrifying. As Hale explained, it’s okay to accept that feeling, because what you will do next will be amazing.

9. “Life is about change. Sometimes it’s painful. Sometimes it’s beautiful. But most of the time, it’s both.” – Lana Lang

Without change, you’ll never experience anything new. With a change, however, you’ll meet new people, experience new things, and grow in ways you never expected. When the change is painful, remember how beautiful your future can be.

10. “We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea.” – C. JoyBell C.

While change is scary, you must push that fear into the back of your mind and move forward. Choosing to stay in your safe place will only hinder what you could discover.

11. “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” – Alan Watts

Making the first move will be the hardest part of the change. By diving in all at once, you’re preventing yourself from turning back at the last minute. Jump in and accept what will come next.

12. “I have accepted fear as part of life – specifically the fear of change… I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back.” – Erica Jong

As scary as change is, you have to be brave and move forward despite your reluctance. Even when everything in you says to stay where you are, making a change is sometimes more important.

13. “Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.” – Bob Goff

When things change, it means new stories are coming. Your life is still developing, and a change only brings new happiness. By embracing it, you’ll start to see the joy much sooner than if you resisted.

14. “When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back.” – Paulo Coelho

The only way to grow and move forward in life is to make a change. When life unexpectedly offers a change, it’s important to consider taking it. The chance may never come again.

15. “I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better.” – Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

Nothing will get better without change. If it all stays the same, there is no opportunity for growth. So, while every change may not be great, the alternative is to have no chance for something better.

16. “Change is inevitable in life. You can either resist it and potentially get run over by it, or you can choose to cooperate with it, adapt to it, and learn how to benefit from it. When you embrace change you will begin to see it as an opportunity for growth.” – Jack Canfield

Things change whether you want them to or not. The only thing you can do to get through the change is to accept it and learn to live with it. This will help you grow, while resisting change only holds you back.

17. “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” – Max DePree

If you want something better for your life, or if you want to grow in your current position, you must change some things. By refusing change, you are refusing growth. Don’t stand in your own way.

18. “Change can be frightening, and the temptation is often to resist it. But change almost always provides opportunities – to learn new things, to rethink tired processes, and to improve the way we work.” – Klaus Schwab

When one opportunity doesn’t work out, you’ll find another one on a new path. Accept the change, frightening as it may be, and do what you have to do to move forward. Learning is essential to handling change positively, so you may have to change the way you think.

19. “Some changes look negative on the surface but you will soon realize that space is being created in your life for something new to emerge.” Eckhart Tolle

With change comes a chance for new things to enter your life. If things never changed, your life would never develop beyond what it is today. The sooner you accept the change, the sooner you will see the new opportunities.

20. “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Laozi

If you resist change, you’ll find yourself feeling sad helpless. Instead, accept what is happening and move forward with it. Each change is one step closer to where you are meant to be.

Final Thoughts on Quotes About Change to Guide You in Challenging Times

Think of these quotes about change during the often challenging times. And if you can stay positive, you’ll get through it. Always remember that when something changes, you’ll be experiencing new situations and opportunities in your life. When you look back, you’ll be happy for all of these challenging times.

Since it’s not as easy to stay positive when you’re in the midst of a challenging time, you may need guidance. These quotes about change should help to guide you through the hard times.