1. It\u2019s Romantic
\n<\/strong>If Pinterest is any indication, ideally, you want to date and marry your \u201cbest friend,\u201d but what distinguishes a relationship from a regular friendship is the romance. Good relationships don\u2019t skimp on the romance while you\u2019re figuring out life together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cA good relationship is a romantic partnership,\u201d says Firstein. \u201cWhat this means is that two people are able to be partners in life and the tasks and undertakings that life presents to them. They can work together on projects, share same or similar goals, complement each other in accomplishing things that need to be done and take into account their abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She adds, \u201cWith that, there is great importance placed on romance and erotic connection between them. This manifests in a satisfying sexual relationship and high premium on fun and romantic activities and gestures, like surprise spontaneous plans, gifts, and activities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever romance looks like to you and your partner\u2014<\/b>sweet Post-its on the fridge or flirty texts while you’re work\u2014<\/b>hone in on it and try to inject it into your relationship everyday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. You Care About Each Other
\n<\/strong>Jim Rohn once said, \u201cOne person caring about another represents life’s greatest value,\u201d which pretty much defines a good, healthy relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cIn a good relationship there is genuine caring and concern about the other’s well being and joy in their life,\u201d says Firstein. \u201cYou want your partner to feel good and happy as much as is realistic and possible. This is important to both partners in regards to each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, when you argue, you still have a sense that your partner cares<\/em> about your feelings and opinions. Or, when your partner has a bad day, you do everything you can to cheer them up, even if that means just listening to them as they vent. You both are invested in each other\u2019s happiness, and it shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. The Communication is Amazing
\n<\/strong>Both partners are able to speak freely about their feelings, thoughts and opinions, and feel incredibly supported when doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cYou can talk about anything and everything and be listened to, hopefully understood and, when needed, comforted,\u201d says Firstein. \u201cIt is very important to feel that your partner has your back and your best interests at heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is especially true during rough patches, as well as the \u201cgood\u201d times in a relationship. Repressing feelings will only cause conflict later on so making sure you know how to talk to your partner is one of the most important characteristics of a good relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Vulnerability is Seen as a Strength
\n<\/strong>Being completely vulnerable with your partner can feel jarring, but it might very well be the glue that holds your relationship together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cIt is important to be able to expose most personal, even shameful or just vulnerable feelings to your partner and be \u2018held\u2019 and not ridiculed, rejected or further shamed for the feelings expressed,\u201d says Firstein. \u201cSome of this may include insecurity about the attachment or attraction and desirability to your significant other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shame and fear often contribute to power struggles between couples, which can result in big blowups and, ultimately, a breakup. Being able to be vulnerable with your partner allows you to form a more intimate, trusting bond with one another. As Dr. Brene Brown wrote in her book Daring Greatly, \u201cTo feel is to be vulnerable. To believe that vulnerability is a weakness is to believe that feeling is a weakness. To foreclose on our emotional life out of fear that the costs will be too high is to walk away from the very thing that gives purpose and meaning to living.\u201d Healthy relationships allow both partners to shine authentically and share their innermost feelings and fears without judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. You Like Each Other
\n<\/strong>John Lennon said, \u201cAll we need is love,\u201d but sometimes we just need to simply like someone, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cIt is important not only that you love <\/em>your partner but that you like them as a human being,\u201d says Firstein, \u201cIf possible it\u2019s good to admire and respect him or her. This brings a great energy to the connection and often solidifies the bond.\u201d This means that, even if you weren\u2019t together, you would still think your partner is pretty awesome. They make you laugh, they make you want to be a better person, and they\u2019re just super fun to be around because they\u2019re that<\/em> amazing.<\/p>\n\n\n\nKeep in mind that relationships aren’t stagnant\u2014<\/b>they’re living and growing things. If your relationship doesn’t have all the characteristics of a good relationship, that doesn’t necessarily mean that things aren’t working out. You might just be working your way there.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We all want a good relationship but what exactly does one look like? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":13070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[894],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-relationships"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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