Some of us prefer the company of people who closely resemble us and some prefer the joy of introducing someone with a totally new set of skills, talents and personality to their lives. But is there a place where those differences might become a problem? These questions might help you find the answer.

1. Are you stimulated physically? It’s difficult to force to be attracted and even more difficult to maintain that over time. Ask yourself sincerely whether the “magic” is there. If it’s not – you might have a problem in the future.

2. How well do you communicate? It’s difficult to say what makes good communication but in most cases you can feel pretty early whether your conversations flow or whether they get stuck. People have very different styles of communicating so it becomes vital that you check to make sure this is a person you can engage with in a conversation now and for years to comes.

3. Are your social needs similar? Couples usually engage in a common social life. Early in a relationship, it is important to look into your social needs to make sure they are somewhat similar to those of your partner. If you are very different in the types of activities and people you like to meet it can lead to a preference of experiencing your social life on your own and since relationships are all about sharing this could present problems in the future.

4. Do you believe in very different things? In some cases it won’t be a problem but in others it can be very frustrating. You love your partner but are then introduced to a set of beliefs that is 180 degrees from yours. It could still work out for you, but it’s always a good idea to check on religious and political principles to make sure you can stick around together for years to come.

5: Did Your Partner Cheat on You? Maybe your ex cheated on you and it still hurts like hell. Was it a one-time slip on their part? Did it happen during a bad time in your relationship? Have they promised it’ll never happen again? Are they sincerely sorry?

6. Can you find a financial common ground? In some cases you and your partner will be coming from very different backgrounds and it’s important to talk about that and set expectations straight. Not being on the same page in regards to earning and spending money leads to stress and to anxiety.

7. Do you share common objectives? We all want different things in life and that’s totally fine. However, in some cases these objectives might conflict. For example, if you wish to remain free to pursue a career and travel while your partner wants to settle down and have a large family it might cause some friction down the road. Try to talk about it and find a common ground.

Shaniyah Benson writes for psychic readings website Asknow.com. She covers topics of love and career on the psychics network website.

There is no doubt that an open communication channel is the key for a successful relationship. The question in most cases however is how to get your husband to speak. Women talk about things much more openly than men. So if you are not getting what you want, you might want to consider making some changes.

When is most responsive?

Men are more comfortable expressing themselves when they’re don’t feel like they’re being pressed to talk. If he’s enjoying himself, he might be relaxed enough to really open up. That could be after you’ve played a sport together, enjoyed a wonderful meal, made love, etc.

Be sensitive

You don’t want to blow a chance just because you lost your patience. Be sensitive to when it is a good time to talk and be careful not to approach when your partner is tired or preoccupied.

Show him how it’s done

If you are able to talk about topics that are very personal to you, it will help your partner see that it’s not that bad and perhaps inspire him to act in a similar fashion. Share with him your private desires and fears and soon enough he is likely to share his with you.

Don’t look back

Men really don’t enjoy lingering on the same, sore topic. If he did something to hurt or offend you and he said he’s sorry, then it’s probably best to accept it and move on.

Don’t criticize his ideas

In many cases your partner may talk about far fetched ideas that you will not agree with. It’s important however to let them talk and express these desires before you respond. Remember, our objective is to get him to open up.

Be a good listener

You don’t always need to put in your 2 cents when it comes to your partner opening up. Just make sure that you are fully present and avoid getting distracted. Let your partner express their ideas and thoughts and be there to listen and absorb.

We all have similar challenges and are here to support each other. Good luck!

Read “Lily’s love tips” by Lily St. Thomas when you subscribe for a psychic reading on Asknow.com. Find the best online psychics only on Asknow.com.