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How to Handle Setbacks in Your Relationship and Come Out Stronger

Relationships can be beautiful and fulfilling, but let’s be honest — sometimes they’re downright messy.

Jennifer McDougall
5 min readDec 9, 2024
How to Handle Setbacks in Your Relationship and Come Out Stronger
Photo by Alexandra Tran on Unsplash

No matter how strong your bond is or how deeply you love one another, every relationship will face setbacks. It’s inevitable.

The good news?

These moments don’t have to break you. Instead, they can be opportunities to grow closer, deepen your connection, and learn valuable lessons about yourselves and each other.

Whether you’re navigating a communication breakdown, managing external stressors, or rebuilding trust, setbacks are a normal part of the relationship journey. The key is how you handle them. So, let’s dive into practical, research-backed strategies to help you approach challenges with confidence, compassion, and clarity.

Why Setbacks Are a Normal Part of Relationships

First, let’s normalize setbacks. A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family highlights that conflict is a natural part of healthy relationships. Researchers found that couples who resolve issues constructively tend to build stronger, more resilient partnerships.

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Jennifer McDougall
Jennifer McDougall

Written by Jennifer McDougall

Host of Life Refined podcast 🎙️ Personal Growth | Self-Improvement | Wellness 💡 Helping you level up your mindset & life. https://linktr.ee/jenmcdougall

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