Who Matters Most?

Managing all the relationships in your life requires great juggling skills. But the truth is that you need all those people (or most of them anyway!) to meet a multitude of emotional needs. It's unrealistic to expect your partner to be your sole source of encouragement, advice, validation, and love. Family and friends pitch in to provide a network of emotional support. Sometimes, however, your partner may feel in competition with these other relationships. Seem unreasonable?

Think about the kind of energy you bring to outside relationships compared to the energy invested in your partner. I often hear people complain about a lethargic, distant partner who suddenly comes to life when a friend calls on the phone. Listening to the obvious interest, empathy, and laughter being shared in this conversation, it's no wonder the partner begins to question who really matters most.

If you're presenting your best self to the outside world and collapsing into your worst self when you walk through your front door, your partnership is going to suffer. Don't let your partner get the dregs of your time and energy.