Relationships are a way for us to meet our needs for attachment, intimacy, and community. They can be romantic or platonic, and they can occur in-person or online. Healthy relationships are characterized by trust, respect, and affection. They offer mutually beneficial support, and they help us develop into our best selves.
A good relationship is a place where you can learn about yourself, be challenged by a person that brings out the best in you, and share in your life’s journey. A significant other can be a coach who encourages the parts of your personality that may be hiding, or a partner who supports you when you need it most. They can also be a friend who makes you laugh and cheers you up when things are tough, and who listens with care to your heart-wrenching fears.
They can teach you new ways to be a better person, and they can show you how to do the same. They can teach you how to make healthy choices for your body, mind, and soul. They can also help you find the courage to admit when you’ve done wrong and be willing to change.
Intimate relationships can be a roller coaster of emotions, but they are worth the effort. When you are feeling happy, you want your loved one to celebrate with you; when you are down, you want them to hold you tight. A good relationship provides you with the opportunity to be caring, and in return, you receive the same from your partner.
People who are in loving and respectful relationships often communicate openly and regularly, choosing their words carefully to avoid hurting each other. They double check to ensure that they understand what the other is saying, and they never use insulting language or blame each other for their actions. They also make time to spend together, and they try to remember details about each other’s lives. This allows them to feel a deep bond of friendship, while also maintaining a sense of freedom and individuality.
They don’t let their significant others dictate how they should be spending their time or money, or tell them what to do with their bodies. They allow each other to spend time with their friends and family without jealousy or suspicion. They don’t treat their significant other poorly, and they know when to apologize and when it is appropriate to take a step back from the relationship for self-care.
They value and appreciate their partner’s differences. They don’t look for perfection in their partner, but instead appreciate the things that make them unique and special. They learn to recognize their own weaknesses and are willing to accept them in their partner, and they are able to communicate with openness, honesty, and respect. They work together as a team and they are supportive of each other’s goals, dreams, and aspirations. In a good relationship, both people have the freedom to be themselves and to make their own decisions, but they are there for each other through thick and thin.