What Keeps a Relationship Happy and Satisfying? from John Kent's blog

One of the many complicated things we experience in life involves our relationship with others. There is no definitive formula that wipes our slate clean and makes things happy. There are a lot of moments of discomfort, hurt, uneasiness and pain. Yet, there is also love, joy, compassion, and affection. It’s always a mixed bag, but to make it move forward in a healthy manner, there are certain connections that are important. These center on:

·         Functional Emotional needs

·         Intimate Functional connection

·         Sexual Intimate connection

·         Emotional Sexual needs

Emotional Needs refer to a state where feelings of happiness and peace are achieved. When our emotional needs are met properly, then it allows balance in our minds and makes us feel content. If this is overlooked instead, then we find ourselves frustrated and feeling unloved.

Functional needs are those matters between two people in determining who is responsible for which specific chore, be it who is going to cook, take out the trash, clean the house, earn money, take care of the kids, and whatever it takes to keep the house going. As generic as it sounds, the real highlights that people don’t talk about this enough and rather remain attuned to their biases. This leads to arguments later on.

Intimate needs are integral to a relationship. It’s not limited to sex. There is an emphasis on the display of affection, such as holding hands, kissing, massaging one another, and having date nights. It’s about being comfortable in one another’s company.

Sexual connection connections play an integral role in any form of a romantic relationship. This kind of relationship is prone to interpretation, and people will differ in their understanding of it. This requires partners to have strong communication because the matter is quite personal in nature. If there are misunderstandings, then that can cause more hurt than bonding.