A healthy relationship is a positive force in your life. It gives you someone to care about, a shoulder to cry on and a hand to hold when you need it. It also helps you become a better version of yourself. You learn how to communicate more effectively, be empathetic and compromise. You can also grow your self-confidence and take risks in your life because you know you have a support system behind you.
There are many types of relationships in the world. Some are casual acquaintances—people you might pass in the hallway and smile at or say, “Hello.” Others are close friends who share your values and interests. Then there are intimate and sexual relationships, which have their own rules and boundaries. And finally, there are committed relationships that often culminate in marriage.
Some relationships last a long time and can even be considered monogamous, meaning that you aren’t interested in romantic or sexual partners other than your partner. But other relationships can be short-term or nonmonogamous, and they might involve dating or simply spending time together and engaging in sexual activities.
Regardless of whether they’re monogamous or nonmonogamous, people in healthy relationships have a mutual respect for each other and avoid putting down their partners or using negative judgments to talk about them. They’re also willing to discuss and work through problems in their relationship so they can be happy.
Relationships also include shared interests, such as cooking or reading together, going on adventures and having a couple culture project. Having common interests helps keep things fun and exciting in your relationship, but it’s important to make sure you each have your own personal space, too. This is especially important if you have children.
If you don’t stay connected through life’s ups and downs, your kids will grow up, your obnoxious brother-in-law will join a monastery and your parents will die. Then what will you have left? A roommate. Relationships that are strong enough to survive the shitstorms of life are the ones that can last you for the rest of your life.
When you have a solid, loving relationship, you’ll be more likely to keep pursuing your dreams and goals. Your supportive partner will cheer you on every step of the way, and you’ll have a more confident sense of yourself as a result.
Being in a good relationship isn’t easy, but it can be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever experience. It takes work, but if you commit to it and stay open to learning new things about communication and conflict resolution, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier than you might think. There’s nothing more satisfying than having a partner that makes your heart race and a smile break out on your face just from seeing them. But how can you tell if yours is worth the effort? Registered psychotherapist Natacha Duke has some tips for spotting the signs that you’re in it for the long haul.