With breakups and divorce rates at an all-time high, it can be hard to stay confident that “The One” is really out there. And if you’re in a relationship, finding the right advice can be just as challenging.
Many people believe that we don’t choose our partners, and destiny puts us together. Whether that is true or not, it’s important to know if you’re in a healthy relationship.
So, how do you know if you’re in the right relationship?
Here are our tips to help you understand if you’re in the “right relationship” or understand and correctly steer your “wrong relationship”.
6 Telling Signs You’re in the Right Relationship
1. Communication is kind, open, and honest.
You know you’re in the right relationship when your words towards each other are kind and loving (more often than not). Of course, you’ll have your ups and downs, but if kind communication is consistent you have a winning formula.
Of course, not only do you want to speak kindly to each other but also be open and honest. In the right relationship, you can tell your partner ANYTHING without being judged or criticized. Likewise, you can be honest and expect understanding and love. If you feel like you cannot be open and honest, that’s a problem.
Likewise, you want to be sure you are receiving the open and honest truth from your partner. The truth is, we humans aren’t always perfect. So, if you catch your partner in a little white lie, don’t immediately send them off with packed bags.
Forgive, and encourage the importance of honesty. You deserve nothing less than kind, open and honest communication, so be sure that’s a cornerstone in your relationship.
2. You and your partner understand exactly how to make the other feel truly loved.
We all have different preferences when it comes to receiving love. In the right relationship, both partners understand the needs of the other and want to care for them in the best way possible. From as small as a cup of coffee in the morning or a warm dinner at night to a romantic mountain getaway for your anniversary, the right partner knows exactly what makes your heart swoon.
This is effectively done through the right communication. You don’t expect the other to read your mind. You learn, get to know your partner, and act in a way that makes them fall in love with you even more.
3. You keep conflict and fights “on the down-low”.
Conflict in any relationship is expected. No matter how perfect you are for each other, you will not agree on everything. Disagreements are natural and healthy because you are speaking your mind and standing up for yourself. It’s better to talk and find out how the other feels than to hide it and let it creep out even uglier later.
The key to disagreements is to listen without defending and speak without offending. You want to keep fighting at bay and just between you two. When you call up a close friend or family member and get them involved that is childish and inappropriate. The key to a happy, healthy relationship is to talk about your disagreements and if you have to, agree to disagree.
If you plan on staying together for a long time, you’ll have to master this tip. If you don’t, you may have many more battles ahead of you (or worse an end to your relationship).
4. Your trusted friends and family approve.
Your close friends and family know you better than you know yourself sometimes. When you fall in love, you may forget to take your brain with you. It’s easy to fall in love, especially if your partner has those smooth moves. 😉 The people who care about you have opinions that matter. If the consensus is positive about your relationship, GREAT.
If it’s not. . . ask questions. Find out “Why?”
Contrary to your young rebellious beliefs, their opinion matters. It doesn’t mean to do what they say. Sometimes other people have opinions with their own motives behind them. But, it’s important to look for truth in what they are saying.
5. There is a healthy blend of time together (and time apart).
When you fall in love, you may want to do nothing but be wrapped up like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, not leaving each other for days on end. But when you have time apart, it gives you insight into how valuable your relationship really is. Seeing someone after time apart yields an extra special feeling that can not be replicated.
It’s also a great way for each of you to do something you love, that the other may not take much of an interest in. Understand the right balance and keep it going. This blend is different for each couple. Find your own that works for both of you.
6. You see service above self.
In the right relationship, it’s important for you to be happy, but there’s nothing wrong with going the extra mile to outwardly show your love for your significant other.
Now I’m not talking about abandoning self-care or waiting on them hand over foot, I’m talking about making them feel warm and fuzzy inside. Not only will the right partner appreciate the show of grace, but they will want to do the same for you.
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