Don't you find that the more you get to know someone, the more you 'let yourself go' around them? In long-term relationships, you don't mind if your partner sees you in your oldest pair of underwear and you don't mind if they hear you burp once in a while! Why? Because you know they love you for who you are…

This is the same for your partner. The better you get to know each other, the more you let yourself go. I'm not saying this is a bad thing – it is great to be really comfortable in each other's space, but it also means that an unspoken rule begins to grow which says: "We don't need to put in effort any more."

When you're not on your 'best behaviour' anymore, you don't hide the fact that you're having a bad day, or are in an irritable mood. You snap at your partner, you shout at them, and you may even say hurtful things to them – because they love you, and won't leave you.

The more you get to know your partner, the more they may irritate you and the less forgiving you are towards them. Eventually a wall builds up between you and you become like two strangers living in the same house.

This is an extreme example, but it illustrates what could happen if a couple lacks good communication, understanding and dedication in their relationship.

The best way to deal with the things that annoy you about your partner is to take a critical look at those things and decide whether they are worth hurting your partner over and putting your relationship at risk.

If it's something small like an 'annoying laugh', or 'the way he blows his nose', don't bring it up, just love them for their quirks. If it's something big, sit down with your partner and discuss it in a loving way.