Relationships
Six tips for building a healthy romantic relationship
You know that thing they say about not taking relationship advice from a single person? Well, that is going to happen if you read through this article. But believe me, couples in healthy relationships swear by them.
No matter how beautiful a romantic relationship is, they all are not without their ups and downs. And hence, the need for some advice now and then.
But we both know that not all relationship advice is good (even though some are dished out with good intentions). However, we must acknowledge that some advice when it comes to romantic relationships is pretty solid and hits the nail on the proverbial head.
So what constitutes good advice? In this piece, we’ll be touching on some of them and although I label them as good advice, for you, it might not be so.
- Do Not Let Third Parties Control Your Relationship
It’s good for the people in your life informed about certain aspects of your relationship. However, this shouldn’t be without boundaries.
Relationships strive for intimacy and this can only happen between the two people involved in the relationship and no one more. For this reason, third-party opinions and control should never have a place in such a relationship.
Let the people in your life know their boundaries when it comes to your romantic relationship. And instead of taking everyone of your relationship problem to the most available friend or family member, introspect, talk things over with your partner, or go to someone who has credible experience in relationships for advice.
Keep your relationship more intimate than “out there” to avoid unnecessary drama.
- Be Kind To Your Partner Before Getting Mad At Them
Whether you like it or not, your partner is human first before being the one you love. And hence, they’ll be times their weaknesses will pop out.
You’ll be greeted by their ugly sides and it’ll not be pretty at all. But always try to remember to think kindly towards your partner before getting angry at them.
If you do this, you’ll soon discover that most of the time a loved one is being annoying, it’s usually triggered by dissatisfaction, or unhappiness, from their end. Sometimes, they might be acting up just because they’re trying to feel less overwhelmed as they are.
- Learn To Really Speak To Each Other
You’ve probably heard a million times that communication is key in romantic relationships.
In fact, you’ve heard this phrase one-too-many times that you’ve gotten so familiar with it that it doesn’t really mean a lot anymore.
But communicating is very important. It is what fuels every relationship including a Romantic one. This doesn’t come naturally so some extra effort must be put into learning each other’s styles of communication. What is your partner’s love language? What is their conflict style? What sort of tone do they most communicate in? When are they the most comfortable to talk? All of these and more, you must learn to talk effectively with your partner.
- Yes, Spice Things Up!
Another phrase that has become mundane but is quite important is this.
Relationships will grow dull, routines could grow mundane, and being with the same person could cause too much familiarity.
Hence, “spicing things up” — creatively adopting new habits, exploring exciting things together will stir a ripple effect in your relationship.
- Be Ready To Sacrifice
As far as love is concerned, sacrifices are a must. Get into romantic relationships knowing fully well you make sacrifices.
Be ready to sacrifice for the one you love and be ready to do so without a grudge.
- Always Remember To Be An Individual
It’s quite easy to want to fade into the person with whom you’re in a relationship. But do not fall for this trap.
Always remember that before meeting your love interest, you were an individual first. Keep this in mind and work hard at being yourself while in a relationship. Pursue your dreams, (but by all means, make sacrifices here and there), marry your beliefs with that of your partner, all in all, always remember to lend your voice in your relationship. Express your thoughts and feelings.
Do any of these make sense to you? Would you reconsider taking relationship advice from another single person? Let me know in the comments.
Relationships
5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas
You know how we do in Naija when Christmas is just around the corner. This is the season of jollof rice, family vibes, and, of course, amazing gifts.
Now let’s be real when it comes to gifts. People are tired of boring and occasional gifts like Ankara fabrics, bland gift cards, and hampers, as these things fade away as soon as they are consumed. So this year let’s talk about five thoughtful gifts that’ll blow your partner’s mind and make this Christmas one for the books. These aren’t just gifts; they’re pure vibes.
Here are 5 thoughtful gifts to get your partner for Christmas.
1. Personalised jewellery
First up, we’ve got personalised jewellery. Trust me, this one hits every single time. Personalised gifts like this show your partner that you’ve put thought and effort into it.
Think about a necklace with their name, a bracelet engraved with your anniversary date, or a cute ring with a special message like “My Babe Forever.” Whether they wear it to Sunday service or flex it at a wedding, personalised jewellery is not just a gift; it’s a memory they carry with them.
There are plenty of Naija jewellers who can customise something stunning for you. Add a nice box and a handwritten note, and you’ve got yourself a top-tier gift that screams, “I care about you.”
2. Experience gifts
Sometimes, we just need a break from the daily hustle and city heat and traffic, and that’s why experience gifts are such a vibe.
It could be a weekend staycation in a luxury hotel, tickets to a Burna Boy or Asake concert, or even a relaxing spa date to help them recover from the December rush. For the adventurous ones, how about paragliding in Jos or hiking in Obudu?
It’s not just the experience itself; it’s the memories you create together. And trust me, you’ll be in their good books for a long, long time.
3. Custom photo book
Now this one is pure romance that brings back all the beautiful memories. Imagine creating a custom photo book filled with all the memories you and your partner have shared. From the cute selfies you took during your first date to the epic road trips or even those funny moments during wedding prep.
You can add captions like, “This was when we got stuck in Ajah traffic for five hours!” or “Our first beach date in Tarkwa Bay.” It’s more than just a gift; it’s your relationship in a book.
And the best part is that the memories are sweet, sentimental, and priceless. You can sit down together, flip through the pages, and laugh over all the memories.
4. Subscription boxes
Another perfect gift for your partner this Christmas season is a subscription box. Imagine your partner receiving a surprise package every month. It’s like Christmas 12 times a year.
From gourmet Nigerian snacks (think plantain chips, chin chin, and cashew nuts) to skincare products or even fitness gear, there’s a subscription box for everyone.
5. Handwritten love letters
In this digital age of WhatsApp messages and emojis, handwritten love letters are seriously underrated. Remind them why you fell in love, recount your favourite memories, and share your dreams for the future. You could even hide these letters in unexpected places—tuck one in their handbag or slide another under their pillow.
The beauty of a handwritten letter is that it lasts forever, even long after Christmas; your partner can pull it out, read it, and feel all warm and fuzzy. You can also add some local touches, like using Ankara stationery or a traditional wax-sealed envelope, and another gift, such as a photo album or a piece of jewellery.
Selecting a thoughtful gift for your partner this Christmas does not have to be difficult. These suggestions, ranging from personalised jewellery to handwritten love letters, emphasise the significance of effort and sentiment in gift-giving. The best gifts reflect your particular connection, making this season not just joyous but unforgettable.
Relationships
Tiwa Savage opens up about her divorce from TeeBillz
Tiwa Savage, the Nigerian singer, has opened up about her divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz‘ Balogun, her ex-husband.
The duo divorced in 2018 after efforts to resolve the differences in their marriage proved abortive.
In an interview with The Receipts Podcast, the ‘Kele Kele’ hitmaker revealed that her ex-husband was responsible for the divorce.
The award-winning songstress said at the time, she was struggling with postpartum depression after giving birth to their son.
The 44-year-old singer said she faced intense criticism from the public, with many attacking her without giving her a chance to share her side of the story.
She also recalled how some prominent figures advised her to remain silent about the incident to protect her reputation.
“When I came out, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart when I started and I could do no wrong in Nigerian’s eyes. I did everything by the book. I went to university and I wasn’t a baby mama. I got married then I had a baby so I did everything in the right order and everybody loved me and then everything happened,” she said.
“Then I started getting hate from blogs and I started getting hate from certain people. The way our situation happened, he announced it online. I didn’t break up with him but I was the one being attacked.
“At the time, my baby was just a few months old and I was dealing with postpartum and my body wasn’t the same and I was depressed. Everyone then went to him and only a few people came to see me.
“After I interviewed to tell my side of the story, it got worse. People were like ‘How dare you go and talk’ ‘You’re a woman and you’re supposed to build the house, it’s your fault’.
“I remember famous people calling me to ask how I could tell my side of the story cuz I’d never win. Ever since then, I was like I won’t ever talk about the situation because it was very heartbreaking how the public took it and blamed me.”
She added that the experience was an “eye-opener” that made her become “wild and carefree”.
“It was an eye-opener for me and it made me depressed for so long. It got me angry then I became the ‘African Bad Girl’,” she added.
“I thought to myself that after doing everything right I was still attacked. Then I started getting tattoos and wearing short skirts and bikini. I was just wild.”
Relationships
Actress Etinosa Idemudia remarries in Lagos
Etinosa Idemudia, the Nigerian actress, has tied the knot again, this time with a white man.
Etinosa took to her Instagram page to share a video of herself and her lover, whose name and nationality are yet to be revealed.
In the accompanying caption, the actress wrote, “I don carry my two left enter new relationship. Please wish me well ❤️ 💍”.
In another Instagram post on Thursday, Etinosa shared a photo from their legal wedding ceremony held at the Ikoyi Registry in Lagos.
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