What kind of lover are you? Check out these descriptions to
find your personal style, and learn how you can keep your
relationship healthy and happy.
The romantic
You love being in love. You may be swept away by your new
lover's looks or other appealing physical attributes -- and
disappointed when they change over time.
Remember that true love doesn't recede with his hairline, and
romance doesn't have to fade as the relationship matures. Plan
dates, weekend getaways, or just-the-two-of-you vacations to
rekindle the spark that ignited your relationship, suggests Pepper
Schwartz, Ph.D., a sociology professor at the University of
Washington in Seattle.
The list-maker
"You have criteria that are important, and you won't change
them," Schwartz says. Even if you're in a committed relationship,
you may put too much pressure on your partner to live up to your
standards.
Let go of the list. Schwartz warns that clinging to those
must-haves could mean a chafed relationship or a lonely life.
"Ultimately, the important things are companionship, love, a
capacity for forgiveness," she says. "Not the stuff that may
impress outsiders."
The obsessive
You want to spend all your time with your partner. And you
constantly worry about your relationship, even when you've been
together for years. Schwartz says this kind of partner can be
overbearing or have highs and lows that drive her significant other
crazy.
Don't crowd your lover, Schwartz says. "Realize that too much
of a good thing can be too much." You may need to talk to a
counselor who can help you understand why you feel so insecure and
help you find ways to put your relationship in perspective.
The giver
You may give more than you get. "At some point, you find that
it's all going one way," Schwartz says. You're constantly working
selflessly to meet your partner's needs, but you're not looking
after you.
It's important to have a life outside of your marriage.
Develop your own interests, cultivate your own friendships, and
reserve time to do things you like to do -- without your
partner.
The player
You love courtship. "For these lovers, the chase is a lot of
it," Schwartz says. You're easily bored in long-term relationships,
though, and your eye may roam.
First, avoid situations that could lead to affairs. "Don't
have a drink with that interesting colleague," Schwartz says. "Take
temptation out of your life." Instead of looking for excitement
outside your relationship, try doing new things (salsa dancing,
anyone?) with your partner, so you can see him or her in a fresh
light.
The pal
Love seems to creep up on you. One day you think, "Wow, I've
really been spending a lot of time with Jack," then realize you're
in love. In the long term, your relationship may be quiet, but it's
strong.
Don't let your thing get too platonic. "You need moments of
romance," Schwartz says. Planning a special dinner for two or just
planting a passionate kiss on him once in a while shows your
partner (and reminds you, too) that you think he's sexy and
exciting.