Relationships are tough, but when you’re in a healthy one there are a lot of things you’ll learn. Here are 10 lessons you can pick up from a good relationship.
Most people have had a few relationships that felt right. Some may have even lasted years, but eventually a split happened. When you do find the right person you may be surprised as to how different you feel about that relationship opposed to the others you felt were right. One of the things you may notice is how much you’re actually learning about becoming a team rather than simply being the boyfriend/girlfriend. Here are 10 of the biggest life lessons you’ll learn from a truly healthy relationship.
1. Don’t Hide Your Flaws
Everyone has flaws, but no one wants to admit them! It’s a vicious cycle that could turn a relationship sour in a hurry. If you’re with the right person though, your flaws won’t seem as embarrassing. When you’re not afraid to be yourself then it allows your partner to learn more about you. Where once a sensitive moment might occur, it can now be totally avoided thanks to your partner’s knowledge about you. It will also help your partner make you feel stronger as the two of you work together to build up one another’s flaws for a better quality of life.
2. Learn to Accept Things
When someone enters your life, they’re going to have baggage from their past. This isn’t an open invitation for you to fix the problems or make the person a project though. Instead, step back and embrace the baggage. When you care enough for someone their past won’t matter. Although some issues may take longer to get over, once you do it will greatly improve your relationship.
3. Don’t Expect Things
One major problem with a lot of relationships is people tend to expect their partner to know what they’re thinking. It doesn’t matter how many years you’ve been together, this isn’t going to happen. Instead of assuming your partner knows what you want, you have to actually communicate it. This will ensure you’re going to get what you need without having a senseless argument because your significant other wasn’t psychically connected to your every whim.
Being in a good relationship means communicating your expectations.
4. Misunderstandings Happen
If you’re a human being then chances are you’ve gotten things wrong a few times. Sometimes we just can’t communicate exactly what we mean. This can lead to hurt feelings or resentment. If your partner says something that you find offensive, take a minute to calm down and ask them to explain further. A lot of the time it is simply a miscommunication. In a healthy relationship partners don’t purposefully aim to harm one another. Of course, when you do find out what they actually meant, don’t hold it against them. This is only asking for trouble in the future.
5. Be Open With Feelings
Unhealthy relationships involve a lot of games that won’t keep the two of you connected for long. You should always be able to show your partner that you love them. Never make them work for it or barter affection for good deeds. Instead, let them know how much you care, but don’t be afraid to be honest. If you’re feeling upset then stop and explain why, don’t just attack. The same can be said for feeling happy. The more open you are, the more the happy moments will occur, so try not to hold back on the feelings.
6. Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder
Spending time together is incredibly fulfilling, but it’s important to take time away from the relationship too. If you have different friends, jobs or schools then you’re already doing good. Going out alone can keep the relationship fresh as the years progress. As you experience the world you’re gaining things to talk about with your partner later on. Thus, you won’t have to worry about dry spells. It’ll also give you time to refresh, so you can realize how much you love the person you’re with.
Being in a good relationship means balancing time spent together and apart.
7. It’s Okay To Compromise
Chances are you’re not always going to agree with your special someone. Everyone has different ways of looking at things, which can cause a lot of arguments. Rather than continuing on with the argument try to take a step back and look at it in your partner’s point of view. They should always do the same for you too. If you find out you’re wrong, admit it. It’s okay to be wrong sometimes and it teaches you something new. It won’t make you the weaker person for not getting what you want and it may allow you to experience some new things.
8. Support Growth and Change
Change can be scary so a lot of couples try to stifle the entire concept of growing, which leads to a boring relationship. You should always support your partner in whatever it is they desire. Hobbies, education, travel and meeting new people are important in life, so give your partner the boost they need to take that next step. Your partner should also be supportive of you. The more the two of you grow together the better off you’ll both be!
9. Practice True Forgiveness
Forgiveness might be one of the toughest concepts for couples to achieve. There are going to be arguments and hurtful things will be said. However, instead of looking at the fight as something traumatic try to think of it as a lesson. Take from the fight and use it for the future in order to make a disagreement more constructive. When the fighting is over it is important that you forgive the other person. Holding on to the anger will cause resentment that could put a wedge in your relationship.
10. Trust is Key
At the end of the day knowing you can trust the person you’re with is going to propel your relationship into the future. No one wants to be with someone that is constantly going to have you feeling like you’re on your tippy toes. If you’re worried about cheating, slander or other hurtful behaviors then the relationship isn’t going to work out. When you get to a place where trust is the most important part of the relationship then the two of you will make it through any problems that may surface.
