Judy Price is Writing

Those who are fortunate enough to have  lucrative careers in this tough economic climate, may find that it is difficult to balance their workloads with their social lives, especially if they are in committed relationships.

This has always been a challenging issue for couples.  

However, roles were more clearly defined in past generations, with the woman normally being the nurturer in the relationship and the man being the provider.

Today, both partners might be working equally hard simultaneously, or one or the other might have a heavier workload at a different time, creating less togetherness as a couple.

As for any other issue in a relationship, spoken communication is vital to ensure both partners are aware of the stress each might be faced with at work.

Decisions regarding how this situation will be handled will determine the success of balancing work and relationship needs with one another.

When one of the partners has less energy and time to devote to the other, due to work demands,  it is important that the other partner have interests and friends outside the relationship as part of his/her support system. 

In fact, it is unrealistic to think that one’s partner can meet all of one’s needs in the relationship at any time. 

It is equally important that he/she be available when his/her partner has a lull in work, in order to be there and relate to one another, even if it is just to sit quietly together, have a shared meal or cuddle.

If one partner is a workaholic then the relationship could be doomed, unless this addictive issue is acknowledged and addressed successfully. 

An individual who is driven and obsessed by work has underlying psychological motivators that need to be uncovered if change is to occur, which can then help the person and the relationship to grow successfully.  

There can be no partnership with only one person contributing, as it takes two to communicate and maintain a relationship; albeit the time each invests can shift from 50/50 to 80/20 at some points throughout their lives together.  

The norm is a 60/40 contribution of time and energy investment flowing between the two partners most of the time.  Rarely is each able to contribute equally to the relationship at all times.      

Since communication is the key to ensure that both partners know what is happening with one another, and to make decisions to attain the balance needed for the relationship to survive and thrive, I will devote another entire article to this topic.