What is a healthy relationship?

When you think of a healthy relationship or a good relationship, I want you to think of and list out the things that immediately pop up in your mind. Mutual understanding, good sex, loyalty, or fewer or no fights between the partners? I am sure these would be the top things that came up for you. 

If I tell you that a healthy relationship is not an amalgamation of two or four things but a mix of several things tossed in together that move in sync with each other?

“A healthy relationship keeps the doors and windows wide open. Plenty of air is circulating, and no one feels trapped. Relationships thrive in this environment. If the person is meant to be in your life, all the open doors and windows in the world will not make them leave. Trust the truth.” – Unknown.

Rightly said, a healthy relationship doesn’t make you feel imprisoned but enriches you; it allows you the space for personal growth alongside the growth of the relationship. 

In this post, I shall speak about some healthy relationship characteristics that I have understood in my personal life and read about in books.  

35 Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship

• You share friendship with your partner and not just a romantic relationship.

• You and your partner are playful; you can laugh with each other, whether looking at memes together or watching a movie.

Also, read- 40 Dirty Talks For A Long-Distance Relationship

• You believe in your partner’s ability to make good and right choices. 

• You believe in each other’s goodness of heart; you encourage their goodness by openly admiring them. 

• You don’t shy away from appreciating each other’s efforts and gently telling each other when they are wrong.

• You can apologise to one another without letting ego come between you. 

• You and your partner can talk about everything under the sun. And if a certain subject is foreign to either of you, you are ready to approach it together without mocking each other for not knowing. 

• You would like to pick up good habits from one another because you know those habits will contribute to your individual growth. 

• You see your partner as a reliable, trustworthy, and dependable person.

• You and your partner have helped each other grow into better versions of yourselves. You see each other with compassion, love, and pride. 

• You believe in each other’s calibre and capabilities. Without fear, there’s a trust that you can take on the world if the need arises. 

• You both know how to navigate through negative emotions. And even if you can’t, you can communicate about it. 

• You often reminisce about the good moments you have had together, talk about them, and cherish them. 

• You are comfortable being vulnerable in front of your partner without the fear of being judged or read wrong. You trust that your partner will hold out a space for you where you can fully express yourself. 

• You rarely express contempt towards your partner by rolling your eyes, swearing at them, yelling at them, or calling them crazy or worthless. 

• You never tell them to ‘shut up’ or use abusive language. 

• You can enlist the positive personality traits they passed on to your children. 

• You support your partner’s dreams while encouraging them to explore their goals and ambitions. 

• You both don’t give up on each other. You figure it out, always. You don’t talk badly about them in front of their friends and family. You always have each other’s back. 

• You feel a sense of security in their presence; you feel confident that your partner is loyal and honest. 

• Your partner allows you into their inner emotional world where you don’t judge them and make them feel comfortable about sharing that world with you. 

• You both are mindful of your words, actions, and behaviour with each other and others. 

• Your partner has responded kindly to the knowledge of your trauma and is with you as your constant support system. 

• You don’t stone-wall them or gaslight them. Instead, you talk about uncomfortable issues and navigate through the impact of these conversations on your relationship. 

• You don’t insult or demean each other’s family members, friends, and relatives. Instead, you respect their relationship dynamics with them without forming any opinion until asked. 

• You understand each other’s silence or when one of you wishes to remain quiet. 

• You are gentle with each other in times of hurt and sadness. 

• You don’t associate their flaws or weakness with their whole personality. For example, you get annoyed about them not keeping their clothes in the laundry, but you don’t consider them inconsiderate or bad. 

• You are receptive to your partner’s suggestions and vice versa. You listen to their opinions and suggestions carefully and would like to try them. 

• You can turn to your partner in emotionally challenging times. You seek comfort in their presence and company instead of distancing yourself and figuring it out yourself.

• You give each other space for personal unwinding, growth, and solitude. 

• You respect each other’s boundaries; you don’t overstep them because you believe that boundaries are here to flourish your relationship and not end it. 

Also, read- Set Healthy Boundaries When you are friends with an Ex

• You inspire, motivate, and support each other. 

• In case of disagreements, you make sure to remain respectful and kind. You make an out to calm yourself down and then come back later. 

• You believe in one another and this relationship. 

Above all, there’s love that joins you together. And with love comes all the other necessary elements of keeping a relationship healthy. 

Also, read- When is a relationship toxic?

Conclusion

 Of course, there are times when you will feel things are not working out. There’ll be times when you may feel a lack of understanding on your part. Many factors will affect your relationship and put a lot of challenges before you. But, even when sad, you will know whom to count upon. And your partner will be there. But you both will know to work through it all. And you both will nourish your relationship with love, kindness, and sincerity.