With Josephine Oguntoyinbo

Do you feel like compliments are lacking in your relationship? Or are you looking for ways to improve this aspect?

Honestly! Compliments are important in a relationship to show appreciation, build trust, boost your partner’s self-esteem, strengthen the bond between partners and create a positive cycle of affirmation, making them feel valued and encouraged.

Additionally, compliments can help to reduce any negative feelings that may arise in the relationship and serve as a great way to show affection for your partner.

Key points about compliments in relationships

Positive Reinforcement

  By acknowledging positive qualities, compliments reinforce desirable behaviours and encourage your partner to continue acting in ways you appreciate.

Increased Happiness

 Receiving genuine compliments can significantly improve mood and self-worth, leading to greater happiness within the relationship.

Improved Communication

 Actively seeking out positive aspects of your partner and expressing them verbally fosters open and positive communication.

Feeling Seen and Valued

 Compliments demonstrate that you are paying attention to your partner and appreciate their unique qualities, making them feel valued and understood.

Building Intimacy

 Regularly expressing admiration and appreciation can deepen the emotional connection between partners.

Speaking with a counsellor, Mrs Tola Famuyide, she explained that when partners admire each other, the admiration contributes greatly to marital bliss, saying  “Compliments are essential in a relationship because they reinforce appreciation, boost emotional connection, and build confidence between partners. Also, compliments have a significant impact on people with low self-esteem, making them feel happier, more secure in their relationships, and less likely to lash out at their partners.

Mrs Famuyide told Feminine that interpreting compliments as enduring proof that partners admire them, can help individuals feel loved and safe in romantic relationships, which is especially beneficial for those with low self-esteem.

According to her, this works best for people with low self-esteem or those who struggle to accept their partner’s love and admiration.

“Partners will benefit most from learning how to harness the power of compliments. This approach is particularly effective in relatively stable relationships,”she added.

She highlighted several advantages of compliments to include:

Strengthening The Emotional Bond

Compliments make partners feel valued, deepening their emotional connection.

Enhancing Self-Esteem

A kind word from a loved one boosts confidence and self-worth.

Encouraging Positive Behaviour

 Recognising and appreciating efforts motivates partners to continue those behaviours.

Keeping Romance Alive

Compliments add warmth and affection, keeping the spark alive.

Reducing Insecurities

Regular affirmations help to alleviate doubts and fears in the relationship.

Fostering a Positive Atmosphere

A relationship filled with appreciation feels lighter and more enjoyable.

Mrs Famuyide concluded that simply saying,“You look great today” or “I love how thoughtful you are,” can make a significant difference in a relationship, leading to a happy marital life.