We’re all faced with pressure in our relationship from time to time – no one is immune to it. Whether it’s coming from outside sources, or from within the relationship itself, there are several types of pressure that can affect our relationship:
· Family Pressure. Whether they mean to or not, our families put a lot of pressure on our relationships. They might think you’re moving too fast, they may not like your partner, or they may love your partner and pressure you with questions on when you’ll get married or move in together. Because we are so close with our families they often feel like no topic is off limits and they get more involved in our relationships than they would with someone outside the family. Pressure from your family can be frustrating because you want them to mind their own business, but it always boils down to the fact that they care about you and want what’s best for you.
· Friend Pressure. Similar to your family, your friends love you and want what’s best for you. They’ve also been around to hear your past relationship highs and lows and they are protective of you, not wanting to see you make the same mistakes again. While it’s great to have this support, it can also mean that they put a lot of pressure on you in your relationship. They may pressure you to demand more respect from your partner, to break up with someone who they don’t think treats you right, or to take it to the next level with someone that they think is good for you. Friends have the best intentions, but you also need to remind them from time to time that it’s your relationship, not theirs.
