I’m sick of reading about compatibility being the supposed ‘glue’ of a relationship all the time. I hate this strange definition of compatibility and I’d like to redefine it with you now and show why it’s overrated.
There is such a thing as a compatible couple.
There’s no such thing as two people who share all the same tastes, values and interests. All couples fight and argue about the same things- sex, time, money, kids, in-laws etc. A good relationship hinges on how you manage and resolve these conflicts together.
Research shows there’s no difference in levels of compatibility in happy or unhappy couples.
Happy couples never even mention compatibility. Only unhappy couples bring compatibility up all the time and stress how important it is to a relationship.
Compatibility is like an easy scapegoat for unhappy couples to blame when a relationship is floundering or doesn’t work out.
Successful relationships aren’t about compatibility.
Successful long term relationships are more about will power and partners who truly want to stay together in the relationship. You must want to be in a relationship in general and you must want to be with your partner.
Creating a fulfilling relationship is more to do with you and your partner than this contemporary concept of compatibility.
Lasting relationships are more about how you interact with each other than who you are.
Compatibility is something that you create together. It’s not something you have inside of yourself. You maintain and nurture that compatibility over time. You work at compatibility.
I want us to throw out talking about relationship compatibility like it’s a noun. It’s not like a holy grail you find in the wilderness. Relationship compatibility should be discussed as a verb. You go on a pilgrimage together to find the holy grail. Verbs are doing words and a noun is an object.
Relationship skills can always be sharpened and improved upon.
How do you emotionally connect? How do you respond to your partners bids for connection? Do you turn towards your partner or turn away?
Some people think someone’s personality or interests are what makes up compatibility but these won’t necessarily pass the test of time.
Relationships are about building something together. How does your relationship support your vision for your life?
Stop focussing on this flawed notion of compatibility especially in the early days of dating. Doing this makes it easier for commitment phobes or people scared of intimacy to run straight for the exit door of the relationship as soon as things get challenging.
