The relationship wheel is a method for examining different areas of a relationship. It helps to find out which parts of the relationship are going well and where there are problems. The wheel consists of several parts that represent important topics in a relationship. These topics are
- Freedom and independence
- Intimacy and sex
- Child education
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Love
- Distribution of roles and duties
- Self-care
- Trust
- Values and life goals
- Appreciation
- Time together
How does the relationship wheel work?
The idea of the relationship wheel is that a good relationship should be balanced in all important areas.
These areas together form the “wheel”, and the aim is for all parts to be as equally strong as possible. If one part is weaker, the wheel becomes “out of round” and the relationship could have problems in this area.
Instructions for using the relationship wheel
Here is a simple guide on how you can use the relationship wheel together:
1. take your time
Find a quiet moment when you both have time to talk about your relationship. Take a piece of paper and draw the relationship wheel or find a template to print out.
2. select areas
Think about which topics are important to you in your relationship. These could be the areas mentioned above such as communication, intimacy or trust, but also others that seem important to you.
3. evaluation
Each of you fills in the areas proportionally in color and rates the different areas on a scale from 1 to 10. The more filled in the area, the more satisfied you are with the area. Do this for yourselves first.
4. compare results
Then compare your ratings with each other. Where are your assessments similar, and where are there differences?
5. talk about it
Discuss the areas in which you assessed differently. Why does one partner have a different assessment? Use this conversation to find out what each of you needs to be happier in the relationship.
6. set goals
Agree on which areas you would like to improve together. Think about what you can do specifically to strengthen these areas – perhaps plan more time for each other or talk to each other regularly.
7. regular review:
Don’t just fill in the relationship wheel once, but look at it again every few months. This way you can see whether you’ve made progress and whether you’re facing new challenges.
Advantages of the relationship wheel
The relationship wheel offers many advantages for couples who want to improve their relationship:
– Clear structure**: It helps you to see the most important issues in the relationship clearly.
– Better communication**: You can talk more openly about your wishes and problems.
– Find problems**: It shows you where you can start in the relationship to improve it.
– Relationship care**: Regular use of the relationship wheel strengthens your relationship and allows you to grow as a couple.
Conclusion
The relationship wheel is a simple and effective method for analyzing and improving your relationship. It helps you to talk about important issues in your relationship and find ways to strengthen them. By regularly looking at your relationship, you can have a happy and fulfilling relationship in the long term.
