Everyone should be in a happy, fulfilling relationship, and this is very doable with the proper partner at your side. Here are the top 5 requirements for a successful relationship if you want to be that #relationshipgoals couple.
Communication
Undoubtedly, you have heard the overused phrase “communication is crucial.” However, there is a catch: It is a cliché for a reason. One of the most crucial elements of a healthy relationship is good communication. It’s crucial to be able to communicate your goals and expectations while beginning a new relationship. This occasionally entails being open and having awkward conversations, but if your relationship is strong, your spouse will be responsive and attentive (and you should do the same). Being on the same page as your spouse helps, and it’s equally crucial to communicate your concerns to them, reach a compromise when you disagree, and give each other compliments. While communication is crucial, you should both feel at ease with the frequency of your conversations. It’s unhealthy if your partner expects you to text them nonstop and respond to them straight away even if you don’t want to. On the other hand, it’s also unhealthy if your partner consistently ignores your texts and it makes you feel bad. It’s crucial to choose a communication style that both of you find comfortable.
Respect
One of the most important ways to demonstrate respect in a relationship is to listen to your spouse (as in, genuinely listening rather than just waiting to talk) and make an effort to comprehend their viewpoint. Never attempt to convince them to change their minds about issues that are significant to them, such as spending a semester abroad or where they want to reside after graduation. Respect for one another is something that both partners share in a happy relationship. Even though you don’t always agree on everything, your relationship doesn’t need one of you to change your views in order for it to function. Respecting your partner’s privacy and boundaries is a crucial component of building respect in a relationship. You don’t have a right to know what your partner does or who they interact with on a daily basis. It also entails being sensitive to your partner’s feelings and refraining from actions that could seriously upset them, such as keeping private matters between the two of you. Knowing each other’s passcodes and having the pink heart emoji next to each other’s names in Snapchat don’t constitute a good relationship. While sharing those things is nice, healthy relationships need some distance and a filter.
Boundaries
Each of us has particular restrictions on what makes us feel happy, at ease, secure, etc. You should be completely at ease expressing such limits in a healthy relationship and be certain that they will be upheld (and vice versa for your partner). It’s okay if you only want to hang out three times a week; it’s perfectly cool if you want to wait before getting close; keep your Monday Funday night with the biffles; just do it! Never forget that setting personal limits in any relationship shouldn’t make you feel anxious or afraid. And it’s time to reconsider the connection if you feel that your spouse or friend is using limits to control you, such as asking you not to hang out with pals or demanding that you share passwords.
Trust
This is a major issue. Trust between partners must be mutual and unreserved in order for a relationship to be healthy. No matter what either partner has gone through in the past, such as a parent’s divorce or a cheating ex, in a healthy relationship your spouse will have complete faith in you. DO keep in mind that trust in a relationship takes time to develop (it typically doesn’t happen right away!) and that once your spouse has fully trusted you with their feelings, you should respect them and not violate their confidence. It’s improper to betray them or act in a way that would make them envious. On the other hand, you shouldn’t be with your partner if you don’t trust them. Never allow your partner to question you, manipulate you, or otherwise make you feel as though you need to go out of your way to win their trust by using their lack of trust or prior experiences as an excuse. The trust in your relationship will inevitably become stronger if you show each other consistent love, support, respect, and communication.
Support
Being in a healthy relationship is one of the finest things because you know your partner is there for you and is supportive. In a good relationship, both you and your spouse will support one another and respect the other as an equal, whether that means standing up for you when someone says something hurtful about you or always being that rock you can rely on. Your spouse won’t attempt to control, subjugate, or manipulate you. They won’t be unduly possessive, but they will guard you well. They will encourage you to have a life outside of your partnership, spend time with friends and family, and work toward your personal goals. Partners who are supportive will always desire what’s best for you and won’t stop you from following your dreams. You won’t feel like you have to change who you are or make significant compromises in order for the relationship to be successful if it is healthy.
In the end, an unhealthy relationship is built on control and power rather than on respect and love. It is a major warning sign and you should seek assistance if you believe your partner is controlling you in some way. Your relationship might be abusive even if your partner doesn’t hurt you physically. It is not acceptable if your relationship is nice most of the time yet unhealthy at times. Everyone deserves to be in a happy, stable relationship, and violence is never justified.