You will be aware that being single or married has advantages and disadvantages, regardless of how long you have been married. Each relationship status has benefits and drawbacks, and depending on the circumstances, you might occasionally change your mind about which one you prefer.
When it comes to our friendships, relationships, and general events that may have an impact on how we think about ourselves and other people, life frequently has its ups and downs. It might be time to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each situation if you’re unsure whether you’re ready to start a new relationship or are experiencing conflict in your current one.
Pros And Cons Of Being In A Relationship
Pro: You’ve Made The Team
The thought of never having to be alone again has to be in the top two of all the things in a relationship to be excited about. And by that, I don’t just mean a friend to hang out with all the time, though that is also helpful. Rather, it is the knowledge that you have someone who genuinely cares about you.
You can share everything with the person you’re in a relationship with, from joy to sorrow. You might discover that you are more sympathetic and willing to make compromises for the team because your decisions have an impact on your partner.
Con: You Always Have Someone Else To Account For/to
Sadly, as nice as it is to have someone on your side, there can occasionally be a real disadvantage. Now you find yourself doing everything in multiples of two, even worrying. Imagine having to carry the weight of another person’s well-being on top of the difficulty of keeping oneself in check at times.
Being in a relationship with someone else requires you to learn to deal with their flaws in addition to your own because nobody is perfect. Being on a team entails a constant obligation to keep up with one another. Naturally, in a relationship, you will share, but even if you are an open book, sometimes you will long for your independence due to partnership obligations.
Pro: Someone To Split The Chores With
Even though we enter relationships for various reasons, sharing is the cornerstone upon which they are built. Gaining emotional capital is the aim for many. Some are a little more materialistic, while others are more bodily. However, in reality, it’s a combination of all of them.
When things get serious, couples who spend a lot of time together get to handle issues as they come up in daily life. They work as a team when performing chores, pooling resources, or making important decisions like whether to eat out or order in. Even though it might take some time to reach that point, the benefit of shared responsibility as a couple is undeniable.
Con: Someone Is Constantly In Your Space
When you need assistance, you might be able to split the rent, but being in a relationship means finding a different way to pay for it. Your burden is no longer solely your responsibility, but that comes with a drawback of its own: because of their involvement, they are constantly present. It’s the same in this situation both physically and mentally.
Even if you don’t see your partner as frequently as you’d like, you still carry them with you wherever you go. You take them into consideration when making decisions and are unable to stop worrying about them, though you may be able to manage them all on most days. There will also be times, though, when you’ll regret being single as a result.
Pro: Regular Assured Intimacy Plug
Filling our intimacy needs would undoubtedly be at the top of the list if a survey of the reasons people get into relationships were conducted. One could argue that you can still have great sex without fully committing to someone, but at what cost? Second, what about the facets that can only be unlocked by the comforts of a meaningful relationship?
Contrary to sexual chemistry, which can occur with anyone, intimacy is a connection you develop with someone over time through a variety of experiences. The good times, the bad times, and the wild and deep things/moments that people in a relationship typically share all contribute to creating the coveted connection.
The best part is that once you start a relationship, you will likely want most of the same things if not all of them. It is therefore likely that your partner will join you in the adventure.
Con: Things Can Get Old With The Same Person
Familiarity, however, has disadvantages as well. Humans need variety, so if we are exposed to our favorite things all the time, we may grow weary of them. Every single time, the food is the same and the flavor is the same. You eventually begin to see it as a necessity rather than a desire, something you must have to survive.
“Things” in this case can be sex, but also the mere presence of the other person if only some of the time. When you put it that way, a committed relationship puts your appetite for your partner at risk if you can’t endure monotony. Not all couples can, and regrettably, more than just the initial excitement wears off.
Pro: You Can Be Comfortable
You can breathe and be yourself around someone special, which is another benefit of setting up shop with them. You feel just as at ease speaking to your partner as you do with them in the other areas.
One benefit of this is that your sexual life will be at its best because you won’t experience the usual awkwardness because you are sure of who your partner is. Trial and error played a significant role in this, no doubt. Being less likely to be embarrassed makes you more laid back and willing to act sensually rather than always playing it safe.
You don’t have to fuss over their appearance or be concerned about them losing interest to be able to laugh at and with each other like friends, share cozy moments of silence, quarrel like siblings, and still make wild, passionate love.
Con: You Can Get Too Comfortable
Unfortunately, there is such a thing as getting too comfortable in a relationship. There isn’t much incentive to actually work to keep something around when you aren’t overly concerned about losing it. Because the person you’re doing it for believes you are already perfect, you let too much slip, sleep in, consume more calories than you should, and miss one or ten workouts.
You start to become lazy and sluggish. Reduced effort causes your relationship’s quality to decline, which can be alright initially but eventually catches up with you.
Pro: Reduced Stress Levels
Relationships are said to foster love, which is what makes life worth living. Your mental and physical health, as well as your emotional state, stand to benefit from having your own identity. Ideally, you and your partner can discuss everything, from your past to your future as a couple.
You have someone to share your goals with, listen to you complain about your day, and share your wins, losses, and obligations. Even though they might not seem like much on their own, together they make up for the fact that we are all living on that much.
Con: Can Potentially Compound Your Stress
However, there are advantages and disadvantages to relationships that don’t just happen. The benefits of being in one do not automatically apply to you; if they did, everyone would be content. For instance, the quality of the relationship directly relates to its positive effects on health (relief of stress and decreased depression).
Pro: Excuse To Get Out Of Social Commitments
Although your boo’d-up friend may not admit it, you have probably used your spouse or partner as an excuse to cancel plans in the past. Sometimes, it’s just simpler to blame your significant other than to provide a real explanation for your absence.
Clubbing before and after saying yes is a prime illustration. Your friends will understand if you simply say that your partner isn’t cool with it if loving up has caused you to lose your nightlife mojo but you aren’t ready to admit it to them. In general, people anticipate that you will respect your significant other’s wishes, even if you disagree with them.
Con: Your Other Relationships May Suffer
Being in a relationship is like entering a brand-new world. When you finally manage to break free of your lover’s bubble, you discover that you are doing more activities as a couple than as a solo. When you do get together with your friends, you don’t get to see them as often as you used to, and you find it harder to connect with the single ones.
You begin to make connections that are more relevant to your current lifestyle than you nurture older ones as you meet your friends’ partners. All relationships require some level of upkeep, so the ones that are abandoned inevitably end. Sadly, you might not even be aware that you’re not paying enough attention until it’s too late.
Pro: Confidence Boost
It does wonders for your self-esteem when someone you consider to be pretty special wants to be your partner. They are always there to support you, but they also take every opportunity to tell you how awesome you are. If you find a genuine one, their actions ought to convert your initial skepticism.
Of course, this is yet another advantage that can only be had in partnerships where you feel heard, valued, and validated. It also helps to consider the possibility that you are carrying out the same action for the person you love.
Con: Confidence Drops When It Fails
Sadly, unhealthy relationships can have just as much influence, but in unfavorable ways. No matter how close to perfection someone comes, it’s human to fall short, which is one of the reasons it’s advised not to base your sense of self on them.
Breakups do occur, even when a relationship is healthy, and when someone who swore they would stay in a relationship for life actually does, it can be painful. Additionally, it is important to remember that relationships typically end gradually, and losing confidence is a sign that should not be disregarded.
Pro: A Sense of Meaning And Purpose In Life
Being a part of a happy, committed couple can give one a sense of belonging and the assurance that they are at last living a life that is fulfilling. One can fully immerse themselves in the relationship and its fruits once the relationship’s foundation and direction are no longer a concern. Without batting an eye, compromises and sacrifices are made because they seem worthwhile.
In order to get things started with everyone on the same page, it is helpful to have a sense of direction yourself and set expectations before committing to someone.
Con: Can Distract From Growing As An Individual
Finally, if one doesn’t exercise caution, a relationship that satisfies all of their desires can hinder their development. Less drive to work (hard) and pursue your passion because you’d find fulfillment elsewhere. If allowed, laziness can prevent someone from making the necessary friendships.
It’s all too simple to overlook crucial details without the proper balance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and discipline. There is a time and place for influencing one another, but in order to have a fair chance of thriving as a couple and as individuals, each party must still have a growth mindset.
To Conclude
Hope this was relatable for you. Remember that creating a relationship pro/con list is a valid method of making an informed choice, albeit one that is a little less intimate. When attempting to compare and contrast options before choosing, it can save you a ton of time and also make it simpler for others to weigh in if necessary.
As always, don’t forget to leave feedback and, if you thought the article was worthwhile, share it.