Bukola Arikawe
Playing games in a relationship can be likened to taking a joyride on a broken rollercoaster – it might be fun for a little while, but it will eventually come to a screeching halt!
Thus, if you’re the one playing games in your relationship, it’s time to take a step back and re-evaluate your behaviour.
Or if it’s someone you know that you would like to help to stop playing games and start building a healthier, happier relationship, this is the best time to begin.
Let’s jump right into these 6 better things to do instead of playing games in your relationship then.
Shall we?
What Are Relationship Games and Why Do People Play Them
Relationship games are those behaviours or actions that people use in relationships to manipulate, control or test their partners’ love and commitment.
They are often subtle and can be hard to recognize, especially when you’re caught up in the emotions of a relationship.
But why do people play these games?
Some people use relationship games as a way to feel in control, while others may use them as a defence mechanism to protect themselves from getting hurt.
And then, there are those who use relationship games as a way to test their partner’s love and commitment. They may believe that if their partner jumps through hoops or passes their tests, then they truly love them.
Whatever the reason, relationship games can be toxic and can damage the trust and connection in your relationship.
In the following sections, we’ll explore six better things you can do instead of playing games in your relationship. Enjoy!
1. Embrace Open Communication and Honesty in Your Relationship
When it comes to relationships, communication is key. Open communication and honesty can help prevent misunderstandings and build trust between partners. But achieving this level of openness can be difficult, especially if you or your partner have a tendency to play relationship games.
It’s vital to remember that open communication and honesty are achievable goals, and they are essential for a healthy and happy relationship.
Honesty builds trust and allows for deeper intimacy between partners.
One way to foster open communication is to create a safe space for your partner to share their thoughts and feelings. This means listening without judgment and responding with empathy and understanding.
It also means being honest with your own feelings and being willing to communicate them openly and respectfully.
Another important aspect of open communication is being willing to compromise. This means finding a solution that works for both partners, even if it means giving a little on both sides.
Bear in mind that relationships are about give and take, and compromise is necessary for a successful partnership.
Honesty is another key component of a healthy relationship. This means being truthful with your partner about your thoughts, feelings, and actions. It also means admitting when you are wrong and taking responsibility for your mistakes.
2. Build Trust and Foster Emotional Intimacy
Trust is the backbone of any successful relationship, and when you play games, you are essentially chipping away at that foundation. Without trust, your relationship is doomed to fail.
Build trust and foster emotional intimacy by focusing on activities that require vulnerability and openness.
One great way to do this is by having deep conversations with your partner. This can involve sharing your hopes, dreams, and fears with each other and really listening to what the other person has to say.
Another way to build trust is by engaging in activities that require teamwork, such as volunteering or taking on a DIY project together. This allows you to work towards a common goal and support each other along the way.
Physical touch is also important for fostering emotional intimacy. This can involve anything from holding hands to cuddling to giving each other massages. It’s a way to show affection and care for each other.
Finally, by creating a safe space for communication, you can build trust and deepen your emotional connection.
3. Show Appreciation and Affection
Another great way to spend time with your partner is to show appreciation and affection towards them. It might seem obvious, but sometimes we forget to express our love and gratitude for our significant other.
Take a moment to think about the last time you expressed appreciation towards your partner. Did you tell them how much you love them? Did you thank them for something they did for you?
It’s the little things that count! Small acts of kindness can go a long way in building a strong and healthy relationship.
So, instead of playing games, why not try showing your partner how much you care?
Plan a surprise date, write them a heartfelt letter, or simply give them a compliment. These actions can help build a stronger connection and show your partner how much they mean to you.
4. Recognize and Address Manipulative Behaviours in Your Relationship
Recognizing and addressing manipulative behaviours in your relationship is crucial for maintaining a healthy and fulfilling connection with your partner.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of using games and manipulation to get what you want.
Still, this approach can ultimately lead to distrust, resentment, and even the breakdown of the relationship. But, by taking the time to identify and address these behaviours, you can build a stronger foundation of trust and mutual respect.
One important step in recognizing manipulative behaviours is paying attention to your actions and words. Are you using guilt, pressure, or other tactics to get your partner to do what you want?
Are you withholding affection or attention as a way of punishing them? By examining your own behaviour and motivations, you can start to identify patterns and make changes.
It’s also pivotal to be aware of manipulative behaviours in your partner. Do they frequently use ultimatums, threats, or passive-aggressive tactics to get their way? Do they try to control what you wear, who you see, or how you spend your time?
These behaviours can be subtle or overt, but they all have the potential to erode trust and respect in the relationship.
5. Establish Healthy Boundaries and Avoid Codependency
Establishing healthy boundaries and avoiding codependency is crucial in any relationship. It’s important to recognize where you end and your partner begins.
Setting boundaries means understanding your own limits and values and being able to communicate them to your partner in a respectful way.
Codependency can often stem from a lack of boundaries. It’s when one partner relies too heavily on the other for their own happiness and well-being. This can lead to unhealthy and unbalanced dynamics in the relationship, causing resentment and frustration to build up over time.
Healthy boundaries involve creating space for both partners to grow and thrive individually as well as together. It’s about respecting each other’s needs and feelings and being able to compromise when necessary.
By establishing healthy boundaries and avoiding codependency, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling relationship for both you and your partner.
6. Overcome Insecurities and Build Confidence in Your Relationship
It’s common to feel vulnerable when you’re in love, but those feelings can sometimes hold you back from truly connecting with your partner.
Overcoming insecurities and building confidence in your relationship is one of the better things you can do instead of playing games.
One way to build confidence is by caring for yourself physically and mentally. Feeling good about yourself makes you more likely to feel confident in your relationship.
Another way is to communicate openly with your partner. Let them know how you feel, what you need, and what you’re afraid of. When you’re open and honest, you build trust and intimacy in your relationship.
Recognizing and challenging any negative self-talk that may be holding you back is also salient.
How These Alternative Activities Can Improve Your Relationship
So you’re wondering how these alternative activities can improve your relationship?
Well, it’s all about connecting with your partner on a deeper level and building a strong foundation of trust and intimacy.
Engaging in activities that foster communication, appreciation, and empathy sets the stage for a more fulfilling and rewarding relationship.
Take, for example, practising mindfulness together. By focusing on the present moment and being fully engaged with each other, you’re strengthening your bond and improving your emotional connection.
Or what about learning a new skill or hobby together? Not only does it provide a fun and exciting way to spend time together, but it also helps to build confidence and encourage teamwork.
And let’s not forget about the importance of physical touch and intimacy. By prioritizing affectionate gestures, such as cuddling, hugging, and kissing, you strengthen the emotional connection with your partner and show them how much you care.
So, how can these alternative activities improve your relationship?
Fostering open communication, building trust and intimacy, encouraging teamwork, and showing appreciation and affection create a solid foundation for a healthy and fulfilling partnership.
It’s all about making time for each other and prioritizing your relationship above anything else.
Final Thoughts
You’ve made it to the end of this post on the six better things to do in your relationship instead of playing games.
These tips are not just theoretical but practical and actionable. They can be applied by anyone looking to add more meaning and value to their relationship.
Feel free to check out other articles on this site for more tips, tricks, and advice to improve your relationship.
And don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below.
I would love to hear from you!
