Arriving at a strong place of comfort and trust in a relationship takes effort. Com­munication, collaboration and constructive conflict resolution build and sustain happy and fulfilling relationships despite not being a perfect fit from the outset.

Building a strong relationship

It isn’t the couples who had the most movie-worthy courtships that have long, happy unions. The couples who consistently try to see each other’s viewpoints, responsively listen to each other and maintain mutual respect make the real magic happen.

A soulmate is a Hollywood notion

The idea of a soulmate might be a detrimental way to look at relationships. Those who believe in soulmates tend to be less satisfied when they think of the conflicts in their relationships. In the soulmate frame, conflicts are bad and a sign that they are possibly not the perfect fit.

Long-term commitments

It’s an ancient Greek ideal that a predestined better half is out there. Once found, he or she will bring eternal bliss.Believing your partner was made just for you can reduce your trouble in a relationship to fate.

The soulmate

How to navigate the line between love and fantasy. Illustrations by Jori Bolton The soulmate. It's an ancient Greek ideal that survives to this day as a fixture of Harlequin romance novels and movies starring Rachel McAdams. That predestined better half is out there (hopefully with a charming smile and eyes that sparkle like a glass of Moët & Chandon).

The soulmate

Building a strong relationship

A soulmate is a Hollywood notion

Long-term commitments

The Surprising Science of Soulmates

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