These 6 Things Are the Foundation of Any Good Relationship
We spend a lot of time talking about what you shouldn't look for in a relationship.
Red flags, signs your S.O. just isn't that into you, warnings that you aren't a priority—these and more topics are all worth addressing, as they give you some guidance regarding what's unacceptable in your romances. However, it's also important to know what you should be looking for in a relationship.
If you're in need of some positive dating advice, keep scrolling for six things that are the foundation of any good relationship.
1. Trust
Relationships simply can't exist without trust—there's no way around it. Without trust, you and your partner will be in a constant battle to control the other person. Fights will be common and jealousy will likely rule most of your interactions, creating a deeply exhausting relationship. Beyond the fact that you simply can't keep tabs on another person 100% of time, you also need to foster a sense of safety and comfortability in your relationship in order for it to last. Trust is the only way to feel secure in your romance. Without it, your relationship is bound to feel a little unhinged.
(Riverdale via The CW)
2. Honesty
Complete honesty, even when it hurts, is so important to the health of your relationship. While it's become commonplace to tell white lies and spare the other person's feelings, even seemingly harmless untruths can pick away at the integrity of your relationship. Once you're caught in one lie, no matter how small, your partner will begin to question everything you say. Not only will it erode the trust of your relationship, it will put you in a place where you're constantly questioning each other, rather than fully believing the other person. Honesty is crucially important to the confidence in your relationship and your ability to grow and evolve beside another person.
3. Open Communication
Have you ever felt open, secure and comfortable with a person you couldn't really talk to? Of course not. Which is why an open line of communication within your relationship is an absolute must. But it's not just chatting the day away about frivolous topics or petty complaints. You and your partner have to be willing to dive into the nitty-gritty topics and truly confront each other. It doesn't have to be a fight, it might not even be a disagreement, but you and your partner have to be able to approach difficult subjects with the knowledge that stating your real feelings won't end your relationship. Otherwise, you'll always be afraid of truly being yourself.
(Riverdale via The CW)
4. Forgiveness
When you're in a serious relationship with someone, you're both bound to mess up. Humans simply can't be perfect 100% of the time, so somewhere along the way you're both going to piss each other off. That's why forgiveness is so important. If neither of you are willing to forgive each other, your relationship will never make it through the downs, and will instead fall apart at the first sign of conflict. Draw your boundaries, but also acknowledge the situations that are forgivable. Your relationship will be much stronger if you both have a little space to mess up and subsequently learn from your mistakes.
5. Mutual Respect
We can't stress this enough—relationships need respect. It's absolutely crucial to building a equal partnership. A lack of respect in relationships leads to controlling, manipulative and all-around unhealthy romances. You and your partner both need to value each other's opinions, desires and needs. Only then will you build a partnership that brings out the best in one another, instead of one that brings you both down.
(Riverdale via The CW)
6. Support
A good relationship is one where each partner supports the other—it's simple as that. You help each other reach your goals in whatever you can. You push each other to be the best version of yourselves. You're there to comfort each other when you fail. And most importantly, you genuinely believe in each other. Not only will it increase other valuable aspects of your relationship, but it will also give you someone to depend on, which is precisely what we're all shooting for.
On the hunt for more dating advice? Click HERE for what to do when something just feels off in your relationship.