There are seasons in life that seem to last forever. Then, there are mornings when you wake up and realise an entire decade has passed.

You’re older, you’re different, and all of your former selves feel little more than distant memories. When you roll over and see the person lying next to you, you realise that they too have changed. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—this unfamiliar face in your bed—it’s just that they no longer resemble the person you fell in love with years or even decades

You can both question beliefs and worldviews, which isn’t easy to begin with but is all the more difficult while navigating a marriage. And it isn't just values that shift, either; it can be tastes, friends,  aspirations,  and dreams.

As we grow individually, we also can move in different directions. There can be many seasons when you don't understand or recognise one another. It can be challenging during these questioning moments to remain steady, and people often wonder How will we ever find our way back to each other?

But people change; we’re not meant to remain static. Life experiences and challenges shape us, moulding us into many versions of ourselves. Like clay, we remain pliable and morph into surprising shapes, even when we convince ourselves we’ve been cast in our final form. And this is also true of our partners. 

Staying together wasn’t always the easiest option, but it was during these moments of immense change we discovered this truth: Growth—both as individuals and as a couple—doesn’t come without its reward. It isn’t easy, but it can be worth it.

Of course, not all relationships last forever, and each person and couple knows what’s best for their journey. For some, they know the path forward includes the other person by their side—even if they don't recognize that person any longer. We only needed to learn how to grow together, even as we grew apart from our former selves.

Navigating Growth With Your Partner

1. Be honest with yourself and your partner.  

It can be scary at first—and you aren't always on the same page—but it can be comforting to have someone witness the changes that are happening. And by talking about your journey, you can feel closer to each other.

Honesty is key. When we’re truthful with ourselves and the people we love, our relationships flourish and—most importantly—we can feel at peace. It doesn’t matter if your growth seems inconsequential, either. 

Whether you have a new favourite food or you’ve switched religions, communicating with your partner can help them to better understand where you’re at and what you’re going through. It also opens up space for them to share about possible changes in their life. As hard as vulnerability may seem, I’ve always found it to be worth it.

When we’re truthful with ourselves and the people we love, our relationships flourish and—most importantly—we can feel at peace.

2. Continue to take an interest in one another.

Your husband/wife is still the same adventurous and goofy person that they were the day you met. But, in the last decade, they have also taken up new hobbies, changed political parties, and discovered they love the mountains more than the ocean.

Some things stay the same, and some change—in ourselves, in our relationships, and our partners. But we can continue taking an interest in one another; we can ask about these changes and take notice of growth.

“Remember how it was when you first fell in love.”

That said, date your partner! Remember how it was when you first fell in love? Send flirty texts, dress up and try new restaurants, and take trips to familiar cities and to places you’ve never been. Continue asking the deep questions and also the lighthearted ones.

3. Give yourself space to grow together, and also separately.

As you grow alongside your partner, take time to nourish self-growth outside of your relationship, too. While our relationships complement us, they do not complete us, and we must first nurture ourselves before we can adequately care for our partners. Here are a few tips for cultivating independence in a long-term relationship.

Likewise, in seasons of growth, prioritise solo time. But instead of viewing it as “time apart,” treat it as breathing room, or rather space to process change and come back to your relationship with clarity. Sometimes this can look like an afternoon or weekend away; in other instances, it can look like weeks apart. Space will be unique to each relationship, but it can ultimately help in seasons where you may be overwhelmed by your or your partner’s evolution.

4. Rely on your community and relationship resources.

Sometimes, growing together is hard, like really hard. And it’s during these moments when your outside community and even relationship resources can feel necessary for survival. No couple is an island, and there will be times when you feel stuck or like your partner is growing in ways that don’t make sense to you. Alternatively, you may find yourself changing in ways that feel impossible to articulate.

Growth is often accompanied by many emotions and feelings, and it can be helpful to lean into our communities for support. Other couple friends can be a wonderful gift in trying seasons, and therapists can help navigate hard conversations if that’s an option for you.

5. Celebrate (and grieve the loss of) who you once were—together and as a couple.

Finally, grief comes with realising you and your partner are no longer the people you once were. But there is also freedom in allowing yourself to admit that truth.

It’s okay to take time to process the change, but rather than trying to return to the past, focus on how far you’ve come. Celebrate who you both once were—as individuals and as a couple—and grieve for what is no longer, if you must. Thank your former self and your former partner for bringing you to where you both are today.

Then, shift your attention to the beauty up ahead—however that looks for you and your relationship. Consider what it would mean to love your partner right now, while also nurturing and witnessing their growth alongside your own.

Perhaps then you’ll roll over in the morning to discover that the person you’re sleeping next to isn’t a stranger; they’re who you’ve loved all along. They’ve just grown a bit, as have you.

"Consider what it would mean to love your partner right now, while also nurturing and witnessing their growth alongside your own.”