Can Young Love Last?

Some people may talk about young love as a beautiful thing, but many consider it something that will never last. We might think of it as cute or fun, but we might also assume it’s something people eventually outgrow. You might find yourself wondering if this type of love ever lasts, particularly if you’re in the midst of young love yourself. Is it possible for someone who experiences young love to make things work with their partner? The answer may be: It depends.

The truth behind young love

Love may be different for everyone who experiences it. You likely dated more than one person in your life before you ended up with the partner you have now. And the length of time it took to find that person may have been shorter or longer than the person next to you. Maybe you found your special someone at 20, and your best friend didn't find the right person until they were 40. It may vary from person to person. 

But that doesn’t mean that young love can't last. Who is to say that the relationship you started when you were 20 or even 18 or younger isn't the relationship you're meant to be in for the rest of your life? The prognosis for the relationship may have less to do with the age you are when you enter it and more to do with the person you and your partner are. Two 16-year-olds might end up with a better and longer-lasting relationship than two 40-year-olds, depending on the situation.

Making it last

Perhaps the key to making your relationship last, no matter your age, is to make sure that you and your partner are compatible with one another. You may want to ask yourself how well the two of you get along, for instance. Consider how you handle disagreements and arguments. Do you spend time together and talk to one another? These things may all play a part in whether you can make a relationship last, and they're things that you can learn, even if you're not so good at them right now.

Grow together

Many young couples may struggle because they are still learning who they are as individuals. They may be finding their place in the world and discovering who they want to be. When couples meet young, it may be reasonable to expect that there will be changes along the way. Ideally, these couples will focus on growing together and supporting each other.

If you’re experiencing young love and want to make it last, consider working on building a strong relationship and showing your partner how much you care about them. You may want to be open and honest with them about how you feel and what you want out of the relationship. Be accepting and loving when it comes to their hopes and dreams.

Keep things in common

Couples who make it for the long haul may enjoy spending time with each other. This might seem like an obvious statement, but it could be easier than you think to grow apart throughout a long-term relationship. When you start dating, it's normal to do things that you don't necessarily enjoy just so that you can spend time with that special person.

For example, a girl who hates football may find herself watching her boyfriend's favorite team. Or, a guy who despises the mall might find himself standing outside of the dressing room holding his girlfriend’s purse for an entire day while she tries on clothes. You may do this for each other because you value quality time together.

As the years go by, it can be easy to start spending less time together. There may be stressors such as career ladders to climb and navigating a young family with kids' activities to go to, and more. You might stay so busy doing things on your own that you could end up feeling like you're living with a stranger.

The key to overcoming this relationship challenge may be to search for things you enjoy doing together and then continue to make time for those activities. This also means that you can keep doing those things that you don't enjoy, just for the pleasure of spending time with your significant other. You can discover ways that the two of you can learn and grow together, creating a stronger and healthier relationship along the way. 

This can be equally challenging when you're at an age when your friends are still single and encouraging you to go out with them. In this situation, you might want to make sure that you are making decisions that your significant other is comfortable with. 

Still, young couples who learn to respect each other in their decision-making without becoming bitter or resentful can have fulfilling, long-lasting relationships. It may be helpful to remember that FOMO (fear of missing out) can be detrimental to your relationship. Instead of thinking about what you aren't doing that other people your age are doing, you might consider focusing on all the good things you are enjoying in your relationship.

Understand what true love is

You and your partner may both need to be committed to making the relationship work if you're hoping to make young love last. You'll both need to be willing to put in the effort and work hard, even when your friends may be busy with flings or short-term relationships that they know aren't going to last. It can be difficult to be the only ones in a committed long-term relationship when people around you seem to be going out and having fun with no strings attached. But when you think about how much your partner means to you, it can get easier.

For young love to last, you may both need to understand what true love is. The puppy love stage may wear off, and the exciting feeling that you had at the beginning could change into something deeper. However, when you see your friends going through the beginning stages of meeting a new someone time and time again, you might wonder why your relationship doesn't feel how their relationship looks.

It could help to remember that real love can be more than those first flutters of excitement. Just because those feelings dissipate, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren't in love with that person anymore. It may just mean you have transitioned to a new love stage.

The long-term effects

While some people may argue that young love may lead to winning short-term victories but fail to achieve long-term results, building a strong foundation in the early stages of a relationship may help couples create lasting and healthy relationships.

Finding your ideal soulmate or your perfect match when you're young can have some advantages. For one thing, you may have someone special that you can count on and trust from an early age. That could make things easier and more pleasurable throughout your life. You may also get to be with your partner for a longer period of time compared to those couples who meet later in life. 

Of course, some people may say you're missing out on some of the fun that goes along with being young. The flip side of this could be that you avoid a lot of the heartbreak that your friends may be suffering going from relationship to relationship. It may also mean that you don't ever have to feel alone. You might also save a lot of time and effort looking for that special someone since you’ve already found them.

Counseling for young love

Young love can sometimes be challenging. If your relationship is struggling or you’re unsure whether it was meant to be, help is available. An expert relationship counselor or other mental health professional can help you and your partner navigate the issues in your relationship. 

It can be difficult to reach out for relationship help, though, especially in person. You or your partner might feel hesitant about the idea of talking to a stranger about the issues in your relationship. In that case, an online environment may be more suitable. Many couples report feeling more at ease talking about their problems with an online counselor. Internet-based counseling also offers an added convenience factor since it can be accessed from your home. 

Despite concerns over its legitimacy, online counseling is proven to be effective in treating a wide range of relationship issues and mental health challenges. One recent study found that counseling via videoconferencing resulted in positive outcomes for various populations, including individuals, couples, and families. 

Takeaway

With counseling, you may be able to work on things and come to a better understanding of just where your relationship is going. ReGain is one way you can work towards that level of improvement, no matter how new your relationship. Because it's online, you don't have to worry about making it to the office or planning sessions around your work trips. Instead, you can attend online sessions from home, the hotel, your favorite coffee shop, work, or anywhere else that you want. Just like that, you'll be able to start working on your relationship for the better. Get started today.