Love has different definitions across eras. The modern definition is the most sincere admiration formed within two individuals based on certain material conditions and shared life aspirations, coupled with the strongest, most stable, and most exclusive desire for the other to become their lifelong partner.
Four Rules to Keep Love Fresh
Marriage easily destroys passion
Romance is beautiful and enchanting, the honeymoon the most cherished and treasured time, and the intimacy between man and woman more blissful than that of gods...Yet marriage is grounded in the realities of social life. Its difficulty lies in how a man must embody every role for his wife: brother, friend, confidant, husband, lover... Many women lament why their husbands lose romance after marriage—often because they realize the weight of practical responsibilities, where mundane realities frequently erode passion and idealism.
Marriage itself is inherently contradictory
The courtship period is a time for two people to adjust to each other. If they feel incompatible, they can part ways. But the essence of marriage lies in stability. When you walk hand in hand into marriage, it signifies that you and your partner will likely spend the rest of your lives together. Sexual intimacy, however, is the exact opposite of marriage. It is vibrant and requires constant stimulation and novelty to remain joyful, which is why various techniques and tricks emerge.
Marriage is vulnerable to countless factors
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Even trivial matters can shatter a home, while building a harmonious, joyful family demands immense effort from both partners. When daily routines gradually erode the warmth of the past, neither spouse should delude themselves into thinking this tests the marriage's true worth.Marriage is fragile—it cannot be too volatile nor too mundane. It requires thoughtful cultivation to achieve unexpected success.
Marriage also demands dignity
The ideal marital relationship unites lover, friend, and partner. The passion of lovers, the trust of friends, and the consideration of partners are all indispensable. Without these, the foundation of marriage easily crumbles.Marriages devoid of love or intimacy often shatter families. When one partner abandons the other, the marriage tears apart. Forcing a union becomes a forced coexistence of adversaries—better to preserve one's sacred dignity. Habits to Avoid for Keeping Romance Fresh Emotional Deception and Annoying Habits>Deception is the most taboo act in love. Once your partner suspects or discovers your deceit, no amount of explanation will mend the damage. Even if they currently cannot imagine life without you, they will eventually leave when they come to terms with it. No one easily forgets such betrayal; once trust is shattered, parting ways is only a matter of time.Everyday habits also erode affection. For instance, a boyfriend who rarely showers or a girlfriend who spends all her savings on cosmetics may seem unrelated, yet they become poison to love. Such small habits reveal whether you're truly suited for domestic life.When marriage becomes a topic, friends and family become factors you must consider. For instance, a boyfriend needs shared interests with his girlfriend's father to avoid awkward silences, and he must navigate relationships with her close friends—neither too distant nor too intimate.The most significant concern is the "third party." Persistent suitors can gradually erode trust between partners, inevitably straining your existing relationship.
Divergent Life Goals
Shared life goals are crucial for sustaining a relationship, especially after the initial passion fades and both partners focus on their careers while neglecting communication.If one person seeks to indulge in leisure while the other pursues career advancement, this may signal an unhealthy dynamic. Life's pressures often pull couples from romantic idylls into harsh realities, where mundane household matters can escalate into emotional conflicts.The familiarity of mundane life can make partners take each other for granted, even to the point of not feeling jealous when the other goes out.
Too Dependent or Too Independent
Whether in dating or marriage, striking the right balance between dependence and independence is tricky. Being overly dependent suffocates the other person, while being too independent leaves them feeling lonely.Everyone needs space for personal growth and resents having all freedom taken away; yet both fear being forgotten. Thus, both partners must adjust their boundaries.