9 Uncomfortable Things That Can Actually Make Your Relationship Stronger

Few people actually enjoy talking about money. And yet, for the health of your relationship, you'll want to chat early and often about your financial goals, debts, how you'll want to split bills, and so on.

After all, "money concerns continue to be one of the main reasons for divorce," licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Catalina Lawsin, PhD, tells Bustle. Couples don't always see eye-to-eye when it comes to spending or saving, and it can be a big source of tension.

And yet, you can not only prevent misunderstandings, but also make your relationship stronger, by being more honest with each other. Talking about money can be tough, but it's necessary so that nobody feels frustrated or misunderstood.

If your partner does something that truly annoys you, and you just can't let it go, talking about it may be the best course of action.

"Most partners simply ignore these or end up bringing them up in a fight, which never really leads to a great outcome," Dr. Jaffe says. You might find yourselves yelling about something really simple — like how to divvy up chores — because you've been letting your anger brew.

Instead, have these conversations before they boil over by being honest about what makes you uncomfortable or gives you anxiety, Dr. Jaffe says. And you might just notice that you feel closer to your partner as a result.

"This topic is so commonly not addressed in relationships because people are embarrassed and/or ashamed to bring it up," Dr. Jaffe says. "The thinking is either 'we will figure it out,' or the hope is that you'll be compatible. But having this conversation explicitly can do wonders to a relationship."

Once you sit down and talk about what you both do and don't like in bed, you can have better sex. But even more importantly, you might find that having an "embarrassing" conversation like this one actually makes you feel closer together, Dr. Jaffe says.

While it can be a bit jarring to have your first argument, this uncomfortable moment can actually mark the beginning of a deeper connection, licensed psychologist Heather Z. Lyons, PhD, tells Bustle.

"If one or both members of the couple are willing to rock the boat that means it's important to them that they get the relationship right and make it a relationship that's sustainable over the long-term," Dr. Lyons says. So instead of feeling uncomfortable, try to see this argument for what it really is. And make it positive.

"Attempt to listen to each other non-defensively," Dr. Lyons says. "Even if you don't agree with your partner try to hear why the issue is important to them." Doing so will set you on the right course for arguing in a healthy way, going forward.

Learning how to speak up in a relationship, and being honest about what you want, might feel weird at first. But it can make for a better connection.

"It can save so much time and energy to practice just saying exactly what it is that you want," licensed psychotherapist Christine Scott-Hudson, MA, MFT, ATR, tells Bustle. And it also saves you both from having to guess what's on your partner's mind — and vice versa — which is a game nobody likes to play.

It's common to feel uncomfortable when you meet your partner's parents, or when they meet yours. There can be some tension, and maybe a little bit of awkwardness, especially if your family doesn't always say the right thing. But nothing brings a couples closer together quite like weathering this milestone together.

"The first meeting can be uncomfortable," Dr. Jess O’Reilly, Astroglide’s resident sexologist, tells Bustle. "But the discomfort associated with meeting new people and trying to make a positive impression can be an important part of growing as a couple."

And this is especially true if you decide to keep things light, while also arming your partner with any need-to-know info before you go in. Is there one family member who always says the wrong thing? Let your partner know, Dr. O'Reilly says, so they won't be thrown off.

"So many people don’t talk about this and just assume their partner does or does not want kids or believes they know when their partner wants kids," Jeannie Assimos, chief of advice at eharmony, tells Bustle. And yet, you'll want to have a heart-to-heart in order to truly know what you both want.

It can be a tricky topic to bring up, especially if it's one of the first serious conversations you have. But Assimos says it's an important one to address, so that you can both be on the same page.

Have you had the "defining the relationship" conversation? If not, you may feel a bit uncomfortable getting real about where you're currently at. "But, this conversation is so important early on," Assismos says. "It gives you both the opportunity to set goals with each other and truly define where you stand." The fewer questions you have, the closer you'll feel.

It can be tough to let your guard down and be honest about your insecurities. But even though it may feel weird, this is such an important thing to do when it comes to strengthening a relationship, Rose Skeeters, LPC, PN2, NCC, tells Bustle.

You might, for example, want to talk about any jealousies you have. "In making the decision to talk with your partner, you are showing them that you are on their team and that, when you have something on your mind that is bothering you, you can openly discuss it in a rational and calm way, rather than letting it fester and build resentment for a future fight," Skeeters says.

And the same is true for other tough topics, including setting boundaries. As Skeeters says, "It is the discomfort that accompanies these conversations that strengthens a relationship as it allows your partner to see you for who you are and for you to see them for who they are in an honest and raw way."

It's not always easy to get through these moments as a couple, but once you come out the other side, there's a good chance you'll feel closer than ever.