Many women find it hard to strike the right balance when it comes to giving their man the freedom he needs within the limits of a committed relationship.
On one hand, you don’t want to be too demanding and suffocate him, but on the other hand, you don’t want him to take your trust for granted and think that he can do whatever he wants. So how can you find the happy medium?
5 steps to give a man freedom in a relationship?
1- Define what’s allowed and what isn’t during your absence:
A good starting point is to sit down with your partner and agree on some basic ground rules. For example, you might agree on how often you’ll check in with each other when you’re not together, or what kind of activities are off-limits without prior approval. Once you’ve established some boundaries, it’s important to stick to them.
If your partner breaks one of the rules you set, have a calm and constructive conversation about why it wasn’t okay and what he can do differently next time.
Remember, the goal is to strike a balance between giving him space and ensuring that he knows that you’re still an important part of his life.
2- Define your limits, expectations, and values:
It’s important to find the right balance of freedom and limits in a relationship. Too much freedom can lead to chaos and conflict, but too many limits can be suffocating. However, every man and every couple has different needs, beliefs, values, and different ways of living.
That’s why it’s important to talk to your partner about your specific needs and expectations. Make sure you’re on the same page about what kind of freedom and limits are comfortable for both of you. Define what type of actions are considered cheating by you and let him define his.
For some couples, the smallest details are considered some type of micro-cheating and are not okay. While for others, it’s okay and expected for both partners to do things such as have close friends from the opposite gender, or go on a night out without their partner.
So talk about it all and define the type of couple the two of you are or will be, starting today.
3- Build trust in your couple:
Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and it’s especially important when it comes to giving your partner some freedom. If you can’t trust your partner to handle a little bit of independence, then you’re going to have a hard time giving them the space they need to feel like an equal in the relationship.
Just remember that trust is a two-way street, so if you’re going to give your partner some freedom, you need to be able to trust them not to abuse it. If you can trust your partner to be faithful and honest with you, then you’ll feel much more comfortable giving him the freedom to explore his own interests.
Once you’ve established a foundation of trust, you’ll be able to give each other the freedom that you both need without sacrificing the security of your relationship.
4- Try to compromise and find a middle ground:
If your partner wants a little more freedom than you’re comfortable with, try to compromise by finding a middle ground that works for both of you.
For example, maybe you can agree to give them one night a week to go out with their friends, as long as they check in with you periodically and let you know where they are. Freedom within limits is possible in any relationship, but it takes effort from both partners to make it work.
Compromise is key in any relationship, but it’s especially important when you’re trying to strike a balance between giving your partner freedom and limiting their actions. It can be difficult to find the middle ground, but it’s worth taking the time to figure out what works for both of you.
In some cases, it might mean a compromise on your part; like letting them go out with their friends more often or being okay with them spending less time with you.
In other cases, it might mean a compromise on their part; like agreeing to set a curfew or limit how much money they can spend during their outings without you if you share finances. Whatever the case may be, remember that compromise is essential to maintaining a healthy relationship.
5- Establish “me time”:
If you’re in a relationship, you probably want your partner to feel free and independent. But at the same time, you might also want to feel like you’re in a committed, secure relationship. So how do you find the right balance? One way to give your partner freedom while still providing some structure is to establish “me time.”
This can be an hour or two each week where your partner can do something they enjoy without you. It’s important to respect this time and not try to control what they do during this period. Think of it as a way for you too to enjoy some time alone.
You can also set aside time each week to do something together as a couple. This can be anything from going on a date to taking a walk in the park. By carving out both individual and couple times, you can create a relationship that feels both free and fulfilling.