How To Make Sure Your Relationships Thrive

We all want to be in happy and healthy relationships. With the proper partner or friend next to you, it can be accomplished. Here are five keys for maintaining a fulfilling relationship whether it’s a significant other, dear friend, or close family member.

1. Communication is priority one.

“The key is communication,” is something you’ve almost certainly heard. While it may sound like a cliché, one of the most critical parts of having a successful relationship is good communication. It’s crucial to share your hopes and fears when you get into a close relationship. This may include being open and honest about difficult topics, but your companion is likely to listen and hopefully you will, too.

Agreeing on, or at least understanding, these topics together goes a long way. Speak to your partner about what’s hurting you, make compromises, and appreciate each other. Are you happy with how often you talk or text? Does your partner expect you to respond immediately or text you all day? On the other hand, do they consistently ignore your messages, making you feel bad? Neither scenario is healthy. Find a good balance of communication you both like.

2. Be respectful.

Listening, not simply waiting to talk, and attempting to understand another’s point of view is an important approach to demonstrating respect in a relationship. Respect your partner’s choices and beliefs, even if you disagree with their politics or favorite song. Avoid the temptation to change who they are. After all, it is our varied likes and dislikes which make relationships exciting and adventurous. When you’re in a good relationship, having mutual respect for one another should come naturally.

Even though you don’t always agree, that doesn’t mean one of you has to alter their views for the relationship to succeed. Regard for your partner’s individuality and limits is another important aspect of establishing respect in a relationship. Believe it or not, you don’t have the right to know everything the other does, who they talk to, or even what they think privately.

Be aware of your friend’s feelings and refrain from doing things that may cause them significant pain, such as honoring the things that are just between the two of you. While it’s fine if you share such things, it’s also fine if you don’t.

3. Pay attention to boundaries.

Personal boundaries in terms of what makes us feel okay, secure, and safe are a part of a well-adjusted adult’s health. You should feel completely comfortable clarifying such limits in a good relationship and trust that they will be mutually respected. Perhaps you just want to hang out a few times a week. Maybe you want to take it slow for now. You may wish to balance your relationship against time spent with other family or friends. Setting your boundaries should not be a source of anxiety or fear.

It’s also important to take a good look at your relationship if you feel that your partner or friend is using limits to manipulate you, such as instructing you not to spend time with others or demanding that you share confidential information when you’re not ready.

4. Learn to trust each other.

Trust is a significant issue. Mutual and unrestrained trust between each person in a relationship is a requirement. We’ve all run through the gauntlet of life’s challenges in the past, such as a cheating partner or divorced parents. You want to be trusted entirely in a healthy relationship. You also want to be capable of trusting those you care most about. Keep in mind that building trust takes time. It seldom happens right away. When someone completely trusts you with information or feelings, respect that and don’t breach their trust.

Why be with someone who doesn’t trust you or someone you don’t trust? Never allow someone’s lack of trust or previous experiences to manipulate you, question you, or make you feel like you have to go out of your way to win their trust. Your relationship’s trust will naturally be strengthened through consistent respect, support, affection, and communication.

5. Support one another.

Having a supportive partner who has your back is one of the greatest aspects of being in a good relationship. When you support each other and respect each other as equals, you’ll have someone who stands up for you when someone says something hurtful about you. In return, you can be the rock they count on. Good companions will not use strategies to manipulate, control, or humiliate. They’ll look out for you, without violating the healthy points described in this article.

The best people in your life will urge you to spend time in other healthy relationships, work toward your objectives, and have a life separate from themselves. Supportive companions should want the best for you and will not prevent you from accomplishing your goals. This way, you’ll feel more like yourself and not obligated to make significant compromises in order for the relationship to succeed.

So, what’s not healthy?

An unhealthy relationship is ultimately built on control and power rather than respect and love. If you believe someone is employing strategies to control you, this is a major warning and you should get assistance from someone you trust. You don’t have to be physically injured in order for a relationship to be abusive. If it feels toxic, even rarely, it’s unhealthy and must be addressed. There is never a justification for abuse.

You deserve to be in a healthy relationship!