You have probably heard the myth: Once you get into a relationship, your social life disappears. You spend all your time with your significant other, and you never see your friends again. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Here are 10 ways to maintain a healthy balance between your social life and your romantic life:
10. Introduce your significant other to your friends: This might seem basic, but you would be surprised how many people fail to acquaint their significant others with their friends. If your partner and your friends have not gotten a chance to get to know each other yet, make plans to hang out together. Even if it feels awkward at first, your friends will be grateful that they finally get to meet the person who has been taking up so much of your time lately, and your significant other will appreciate the opportunity to see another side of your life.
9. Make friends with other couples: This does not mean ditch all your single friends, but it never hurts to expand your social circle to include other people in relationships. When you have friends who are also in relationships, they tend to understand why your significant other might tag along from time to time or why sometimes you have to pass on that party for a date. Plus, these friends are great to go to for relationship advice—because they know exactly what you’re going through.
8. Go on group dates: On a related note, it is always nice when you can mix your romantic life with your social life. Seek out couples who have the same interests as you and your partner and make plans together. These dates are nice because the pressure is off—everyone just wants catch up and have a good time together.
7. Have a girls’ or guys’ night: Group dates are great, but every once in a while, you need to have some alone time with your friends. Plan a night out with your friends and encourage your partner to do the same with their friends. This way no one feels left out.
6. Trust is key: It has been said many times before, but trust is essential for any healthy relationship to survive. If you develop a sense of trust with your significant other, you will be free to make separate plans—and not have to worry what they were up to while you were away.
5. Make plans—and stick to them: Do not be the friend who abandons their buddies as soon as they get into a new relationship. After all, if things go south in your relationship, who is going to be the one to pick up the pieces and encourage you to put yourself back out there? If you made plans to hang out with your friends, follow through and do not break them at the last minute to spend time with your beau.
4. Check in with your significant other and your friends: Communication is important in any relationship. Talk to your significant other and your friends to make sure no one is feeling neglected. If everyone is honest with one another in this conversation, then you can fix problems before they turn into huge blowouts.
3. Learn how to compromise: Okay, so maybe you would rather not go to that one bar you hate—but your partner loves. But go anyway. You will build up good will with your significant other, and the next time you can choose the plans.
2. Try new things: It is easy once you are settled in a relationship to get trapped in a routine, but don’t get stuck in the rut of going on the same dinner-and-a-movie every Friday night. Take up a new hobby, eat out at a restaurant you have never been to before, explore new parts of your city’s nightlife. Just do something to shake up the humdrum of everyday life.
1. Make time for yourself: You and your partner do not have to spend every waking minute together. It is okay to make separate plans and do your own thing every now and again. Go out with your co-workers, see that movie your partner would not be caught dead at, just spend a little time apart from your significant other—it will make you value you the time you have together even more.
Maintaining the balance between your relationship and your social life is tricky, but not impossible. If you follow these guidelines, you should be able to find a happy medium between the two. Remember, if you feel like your social life is suffering because of your relationship or vice versa, it is never too late to make a change.
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