There are many types of relationships — some are romantic, platonic, friendly, and just about everything in between. When it comes to romantic relationships, you may enjoy being in a monogamous one. Some prefer to date casually and keep their options open. However, have you felt a lot of societal pressure lately to be “coupled up?” While being coupled up may work for some, it’s not necessarily what everyone wants — and that’s okay! If you’ve been feeling pressure to be in a relationship, let’s explore some ways to ease tension and find peace with yourself.
1. Determine What You’re Looking For
When it comes to relationships, what exactly are you looking for? Do you want to be in a relationship, or are you happier single? Once you realize what you’re looking for, it’ll make it easier to understand your emotions and seek things out on your terms. When your feeling societal pressure to behave a certain way, you may lose sight of what you actually want. Don’t let unsolicited opinions get in your way — figure out what you want, and embrace it.
2. Focus on Yourself
If you’re feeling stressed out by societal expectations, take a step back. Turn off your phone, avoid social media, and focus on yourself for a while. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, so when you start to do it, make a conscious choice to focus on yourself instead.
3. Talk with Your Friends
There’s nothing better than a great conversation with a friend, and it can do wonders to relieve any tension you may have. Reach out to a like-minded friend for a heart-to-heart — it’ll help put things back in perspective.
4. Take Up a New Hobby
Sometimes, the best way to forget about your tension or frustration is through a productive distraction. What better way to feel good about yourself than through a fun new hobby? Not only will you enjoy yourself, but you’ll also realize just how capable you are of doing things on your own.
5. Get Active
Tension can take a physical toll on your body. You may feel sore for no reason, have a change in appetite, or have issues sleeping. Even just taking a walk or trying out a new yoga video will help you feel much better. Not only will you relieve tension, but you’ll feel good about yourself afterward, too!
6. Practice Self-Care
One of the best ways to treat yourself kindly is through self-care. Self-care can mean different things for different people. For some, self-care is going for a run. For others, self-care is enjoying a bath at the end of the day. There is no one way to practice self-care, so get creative with it! Find little things to do for yourself that make you feel fulfilled. Self-care is a wonderful way to remind yourself that you and your needs should always come first.
7. Remember That You Are Enough
It’s easy to feel insecure about yourself, especially when everyone around you is coupled up. You may start to put pressure on yourself to enter a relationship, simply to fit the status quo. When you do this, however, you almost inevitably end up settling, and we all deserve better than that. Remember that you are enough on your own, and being coupled up will not inherently bring you fulfillment.
As you navigate the social obligations of being coupled up, you may get down on yourself sometimes. You may feel tense, frustrated, and possibly even depressed. With these tips in mind, you can try to ease your tension and feel less societal pressure. If you still do feel pressure and it’s affecting your mental health, don’t hesitate to seek out professional help. A therapist can give you more insight into overcoming these social obligations, letting go of tension, and living your best life on your terms. Please read more about couples therapy and reach out soon for a consultation.
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