Just Show Up to See Your Best Relationship Success

Expectations are the bricks in which a relationship's foundations are built on.

Many say it's really love, or respect, or commitment, but from the moment two people get together, their new union births that one underrated, overlooked element. Oftentimes, expectations are responsible for making or breaking the relationship too.

Those ever-adored dopamine hits come from met and exceeded expectations. Resentments grow when too few or no expectations come to pass. As things get overwhelming, there is a secret to keeping things healthy and going.

That secret is to just show up.

Yes, that sounds like a cliché. Yes, it even sounds like the bare minimum (which few would immediately associate with success). Bear with me on this one. There are many, many reasons why showing up in itself already spells victory, and let's start rolling those out one by one:

1. Showing Up Is the Start of Consistency

Every great undertaking begins with the first step. Relationships don't need grand gestures right off the bat; it starts with a first step, too. Show up for that first step and take it. Keep at it day in and day out. Before long, you'll be maintaining a healthy, happy relationship without too much complication.

2. Showing Up Can Be Inspirational

People search for inspiration in almost anything they strive for. With the difficulty involved in romantic relationships, it can be tempting for either party to throw in the towel when things get a little too much. The more you show up (especially for those hard days), the more likely your partner will get the inspiration to hang in there with you.

3. Showing Up Can Reverse Ill Fortunes

Sometimes we can just be down on our luck. That means our hard work doesn't get rewarded (or even noticed). That means we end up wrong about things. That means we and to an extent, our relationships fail. Walking away from all that seals the deal. Showing up, however, means a chance at reversing ill fortunes. It means redemption.

4. Showing Up Means Warmth and Love

Despite the emphasis on expectations, you really can't go without love and commitment when it comes to relationships. To show up for someone is already a silent declaration of how much you care. To show up every day is your commitment practiced for your partner to see.

To show up is what it means to live up to expectations, big or small. After all, they will always be part of relationships, even when we try our best to minimize them.

When their weight becomes too much, the inevitable breakdown occurs. Love will fade, as will respect when shown enough of its opposite. Then, the commitment made by the couple will fracture into nothing.

As stated through the reasons above, it won't be the thrill of funny rizz lines that keeps things going. It definitely won't be grand gestures. For the most part, what keeps things healthy and happy is to just show up.

The answer is as simple, clean, and true as anything else you can expect.