How Much Time Do You Invest in Relationship Maintenance?

When starting a new relationship, we usually adopt a subconscious idea as to how much maintenance this connection will need. Usually, if given some thought, we can throw a microscope over this concept while it is in its fledgling state.

However, time, no matter how you cut it, is a commodity and is as precious as a trillion dollars in your hot little hands. We attempt to save it, cut it, splice it among several tasks, take it for granted, and waste it. Although, most of us never consciously connect relationship maintenance with time.

In going back to a new relationship, it cannot be denied that in this most tender state, both parties look to each other for needs to be fulfilled. If enough maintenance is not given by one, the other will eventually pull back, unless an understanding is clearly stated from the outset.

For example, at this point in my life, with a young daughter, my time is squarely directed towards my family. This is especially true, considering I spend my mornings with her, and see her every night. In order for me to be able to give any other relationship the consideration it needs, I would have to scale back my time with my family, and at this point I am not willing to do this.

Being spread as thin as hot butter is a concept we can all relate to.

This is just my viewpoint on maintaining the integrity of my family relations. Moreover, it is not a reality for myself to hook up with my friends at the drop of a hat anymore, at least at this point in my life.

So how do we make this determination as to how much time we should designate to prospective relationships?

Well, it merely comes down to how solid a foundation you wish them to be on. For me personally, I want my family relationships to be on a rock-solid foundation. Sacrificing the maintenance of other relationships is how your value system should be designed.

Secondly, examining your friendships and their cost benefit ratio, not only for you, but for the friend, should definitely be indicated.

Are you going to be the type when life deals a bad hand to your friend, you abandon that particular person just because some gears inevitably switched for them? If you are that non-understanding of a person, you are not a true friend. Then comes in the question of loyalty to that friend, if you struggle with spending less time with him/her due to their newfound change. Having a heart to heart discussion with that person to obtain his/her mindset and system of values, would always be the best route to take.

Respect!

From your viewpoint, do to your friend