Relationship Tips: 10 Helpful Tips on How to Start Over in a Relationship

Last Updated on July 31, 2024 by Paola Castillo

This article is part of the “Relationship” series. Click here to learn more.

Many circumstances in life may lead a couple to ask themselves for relationship tips. For example, it might no longer be working for one or both of you, or you feel as though it is on a downhill slope. In some situations, you might have wondered how to catch a cheating boyfriend only to find out they were seeing someone else. Despite this, the two of you are still eager to pursue the relationship and see where it can take you. Fortunately, whether you are trying to overcome a misstep or even want to rekindle the honeymoon stage, there are plenty of healthy ways to learn relationship tips so you can start over in a relationship.

Relationship Tips To Start Over

Take a Break

One of the first things that most couples will do when considering whether to start overtakes a break. This is not only okay but also a good idea. Taking a break will allow each of you time to think about what it is you want and need. During this time, you must be completely separated. This way there will be no confusion from lingering emotions. Agree on a specific amount of time apart before setting a date to meet up. Then it will be much easier to discuss how you can move forward.

Identify Why You Value the Relationship

First things first: you need to revisit why you each value the relationship. This step is key, as it will be a clear indicator of whether it is worthwhile to start over. Some relationships aren’t meant to be. Clueing into why you want the relationship to work out, will help motivate you throughout the steps to come.

Get Some Support

Getting help can be hard. People and society in general often still view therapy and counseling as being bad. You may even feel hesitant or embarrassed to seek out support, but it is a must. A therapist or counselor will guide you through tough conversations in a healthy environment. By practicing and learning healthy communication, your relationship will fare better than before.

If a therapist or counselor doesn’t seem right for you or maybe your husband is refusing to go to couples counseling, then consider a different approach. You may want to look into relationship coaching to help clean up your side of the street. But wait a minute, aren’t there two people in the relationship? Relationship expert and coach, Laura Doyle says, “Sometimes your husband doesn’t put in the work you wish he would on the relationship, and that’s hurtful because it makes you wonder if he even cares. Of course, he’s equally responsible for making things work in your relationship, but relationship coaching is about what you as a wife can fix.”

This is an interesting perspective, as Laura encourages you to work with a coach who has gone through similar battles and came out the other side with a more passionate marriage. As she states, “Relationship coaches are mere mortal women that have struggled in their marriages and have some valuable experience to share.” If you’re going to take advice, it’s best to take advice from those who have had actual success going down the same path.

Find a Way to Communicate

Speaking of communication, it can be nearly impossible for some people. What works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. Both of you will need to find a middle ground on how you can communicate. As long as you are both aware of this and willing to keep trying, any method you prefer should work. Even if you find your partner’s preferred method funny or difficult, you should be respectful of their attempts and be open to trying them.

Forgive & Start Anew

In some cases, your reasoning for a fresh start may have to do with a serious misstep in your or your partner’s past. Say one of you said or did something that the other has deemed unforgivable. If there is any chance of continuing the relationship, you will first have to forgive. This applies to both of you. The person who feels betrayed will have to overcome and move past this thing without harboring any resentment.

Otherwise, the leftover resentment will eventually come to the surface. Meanwhile, the person who misstepped will have to forgive themself. It is not only to prevent themselves from doing the same thing again but also to not make the new relationship all about “making up” for their past. If either of you is unable to forgive, then there is little chance of starting over. 

Learn How to Compromise

In any relationship, you both must be able to compromise. Learning to compromise is key for two main reasons. The first is that it tells your partner that you value them and are willing to meet them in the middle for the sake of their happiness. The second is that it is a useful tactic for preventing unnecessary arguments. The key thing about compromising is that both people must do it. If only one person in the relationship is making compromises, they will resent their partner. Both people need to feel that they are receiving as much as they are giving.

Pick Your Battles

When starting a relationship over, it can be difficult to let go of past habits. In particular, the things or triggers that sparked arguments can be hard to forget. These triggers can be as simple as leaving a toilet seat up or putting clothes in the wrong hamper. When starting anew, you will have to learn the art of picking your battles. For the most part, this has to do with your self-control. Think to yourself, “Is a toilet seat worth fighting over or putting a damper on an entire day?” In most cases, the answer will be “no”. Practice your ability to choose happiness in the face of what annoys you the most. 

With that said, you can still bring up these triggers to your partner – just use positive communication. Speak to them candidly but calmly about the things they do that bother you and why. Let them know that you would like them to try to change these habits and offer a solution for how they can do it. By taking an active part in providing a solution, you will likely receive a better response to your desire for them to change. Also, the conversation will be more productive overall.

Practice Meaningful Interaction

When we talk about meaningful interaction, this includes actions that are both physical and emotional. The most obvious is probably physical affection. This can include intimacy, cuddling, holding hands, or the simplest of touches. In regards to emotion, this applies to both your willingness to share and your ability to listen. You should be open to sharing your own emotions and able to actively listen when your partner is sharing.

Speak & Think Positively About Your Partner

Sometimes the most difficult part of starting over in a relationship is adjusting how you have been speaking and thinking about your partner. If a relationship has soured, your actions or thoughts towards them might be negative. It is crucial that when starting over you strive for positivity in every aspect. This means stopping the trash talk to family and friends as well as negative internal thoughts.

With that said, you must have the people surrounding you do the same. They can add to a toxic relationship by swaying or perpetuating old emotions. This may mean that you need to have a candid conversation about how their opinions impact your own. If they are a true friend, they should be willing to adjust how they talk about their partner.

Create Shared Goals

One of the most effective methods of building a positive relationship is creating shared goals. When starting over, this is especially helpful, as you can toss out the old and look to freshen things up. These goals can be either short or long-term, and we recommend coming up with a few of each. For example, a short-term goal may be improving your listening skills, whereas a long-term goal may be moving in together.

In Conclusion

Although people may say otherwise, starting over in a relationship is possible. If you and your partner are willing to put in the work and love one another, it can work out. Let us know which of these relationship tips you found most helpful!