Here’s how to optimize them.

A committed relationship needs this safe space or bubble to thrive, says relationship therapistGenesis Games, LMHC.

Letting the wall fall casually in this way disrupts the sacredness of the connection.

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Thats what allows yourinternalwalls to fall and be replaced by a transparent window.

Doing all of the above then serves to fortify your relationships foundation.

That doesnt mean the wall between your relationship and the outside world needs to be impermeable, though.

Two people’s legs touch under a table as they work on their laptops.

licensed marriage and family therapist

The air in a relationship is your friends, jobs, hobbies, and so on.

Its just that your connection to any of these things shouldnt overpower the one you have with your partner.

Its this separation that can eventually initiate the door to cheating and affairs, she says.

Books on grief are seen floating against a backdrop of clouds.

According to Games, even taking small actions in everyday conversations can satisfy those needs.

Remember thatvulnerability invites vulnerability, says Games.

But again, that doesnt mean that you cant lead a rich life outside of your relationship, too.

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The idea is to do so in a way that doesnt compromise your partnership along the way.

The balance of time spent together and apart looks different for every couple, says Green.

Other people might feel uncomfortable having more time apart.

Michelle Monaghan, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb in The White Lotus, symbolizing toxic friendships.

licensed marriage and family therapist

There is no rule for this other than the rules you make together.

To ensure those internal decisions are clear to both of you, try creating a structure, says Games.

And too many needs satisfied within the relationship can spawn codependency.

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Courtesy Berkley Publishing