{"id":15041,"date":"2017-09-03T01:00:57","date_gmt":"2017-09-03T08:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/datemixstaging.wpengine.com\/?p=15041"},"modified":"2021-05-31T13:22:36","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T20:22:36","slug":"relationship-really-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zoosk.com\/date-mix\/relationship-advice\/healthy-relationships\/relationship-really-means\/","title":{"rendered":"What Being in a Relationship Really Means"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Going out. Seeing each other. Dating. Hooking up. Spending time together. These days, there are many different ways to define the different stages of getting to know someone. But once you\u2019re in a relationship, the rules remain pretty much unchanged. There are certain universally accepted characteristics that make a good partner: loyalty, honesty, passion, patience. But beyond the traditional ideas of being a good partner, what does being in a relationship mean?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being in a relationship means you\u2019re in a relationship with your entire partner; you can\u2019t pick and choose which parts you do and don’t like. Along with the good comes the bad, and being a partner means embracing all of someone.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the other things that come with being in a real, growing relationship:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can be strong for them.
\n<\/strong>In life, we experience ups and downs. When your partner goes through tough times, you can help by offering support and being their strength. Relationships often get stronger during difficult times, because it\u2019s when you really learn how to be a partner to somebody. Then, when you\u2019re the one having a hard time, they\u2019ll be there to offer you the same support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re a team player.
\n<\/strong>Deciding to be in a relationship means choosing to be on your partner\u2019s team. And sometimes, that means putting their needs before your own. When you\u2019re committed to someone, you consider them when making both big and small decisions. In a relationship, you work together and make room in your life for each other. You\u2019re not just an \u201cI\u201d anymore. You\u2019re a \u201cwe!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can be yourself.
\n<\/strong>Even though being in a relationship means you\u2019re a \u201cwe,\u201d you\u2019re still encouraged to embrace all the things that make you, you. Not only should you be yourself\u2014you should be the best version of yourself. In a healthy relationship, your partner will accept you exactly the way you are. They\u2019ll never try to make you into someone or something you aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can be an individual.
\n<\/strong>Everyone knows someone who has become a little too much like the person they were dating. It\u2019s definitely ok to take on the interests, hobbies, and habits of your partner. But don\u2019t forget to stay true to your own identity. Being in a relationship means you can still be an individual and maintain your own perspective on life. It\u2019s those differences in how you see the world that will bring you closer together. Remember\u2014at the end of the day, you\u2019re still responsible for your own individual happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re respectful.
\n<\/strong>One of the more crucial characteristics of a healthy relationship\u2014if not the most crucial\u2014is respect. It\u2019s important to approach all aspects of your relationship with respect. This includes being kind, knowing your partner\u2019s limits, and not doing something that would knowingly upset them. Arguing is inevitable, but you can do it from a place of love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, every relationship is different. As you get to know your partner and learn what\u2019s best for your own unique relationship, you\u2019ll add to this list and even make changes to it. Learning what a relationship means to you is part of the fun of dating and falling in love.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Being a partner means embracing all of someone… and a few other things as well. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79,"featured_media":15043,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[894],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15041","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-healthy-relationships"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Being in a Relationship Really Means<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are certain characteristics that make a good partner: loyalty, honesty, passion, patience. 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