Consider how much thinking and planning goes into the purchase of a house, a car, a phone. Now consider how much time you set aside and actively focus on planning some of the key decisions in your life with your partner.

Is there a disparity?

Regardless of how old you are, how long you have been together with your partner, your cultural background, your sexual preference – being open minded with regards to counselling (shock! horror!), relationship education and engaging in relationship services before you get married can only be beneficial.

Sometimes there are also fundamental issues which are not carefully considered because we assume we are “on the same page” and that we share common values.

It could be that our ideals, norms, values, dreams are at polar ends of the extreme.

Or perhaps one of us simply cannot articulate our message. We go unheard.

How to Avoid a Stormy Situation?

One of my recommendations for individuals and couples to learn about themselves and explore each other (with regards to life’s more serious decisions that are not always easy to handle) is Relationships Australia.

As well as offering a host of courses and training, centres offer a range of services and programs, which are aimed at families at all stages of their life, including people starting relationships, those wanting to make their relationships stronger, those having relationship difficulties and those affected when families separate.

The feedback I have received from my couples who have gone along to a workshop has only ever been POSITIVE! It’s enabled them to actually also have fun as well as have easy dialogue pertaining to subjects which normally result in heated arguments or lack of agreement. One of my couples has also learnt so much about how to better communicate. Where one individual was highly extrovert and self-expressive, the other was introvert and found it really challenging to open up. They are now able to chat more freely and openly about the more serious aspects in their relationship.

Give it a go. If you are considering marriage or long term commitment, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

If you would like further information about relationship guidance and services available in metro and regional areas of Australia, please feel free to contact me via +61416218799 or email me directly.