Although this list does not encompass close to all the signs of a healthy relationship, it does provide you with the basic necessities towards being in a happy and thriving relationship.
1. Have hobbies to do together.
It is important to have activities to do together instead of sitting around idle for hours. Having nothing to do can create unwanted drama and frustration. Find things that are of interest to both of you. Find television shows to watch together, take evening classes together, go to the gym together - anything that you both would enjoy!
2. Support each other even in the most difficult of times.
It is important to be supportive of your significant other, even if you cannot relate or understand their situation. Simply being there for them can be enough, even if it means just being a shoulder to cry on.
3. Don’t expect any major personality changes.
If your significant other has major personality flaws that are irritating you now, it is important to note that these traits will not disappear with time. It is important to either accept and work around your significant other’s flaws instead of hoping that they will eventually change - which will only cause anguish later on.
4. Expect behavioral changes from both sides.
Just because you cannot expect major personality changes from your partner, does not mean you that you should not expect behavioral changes. It is okay to ask them to stop chewing with their mouth open, or to stop constantly interrupting people.
5. Give and take.
Relationships require a give-and-take mindset. Both parties need to be held accountable for a balanced number of expectations. If you give your partner constructive criticism on things that irritate you, you should be willing to listen and take their feedback into consideration as well.
5. Be honest, ask questions, and accept feedback.
If there is a problem within the relationship, be vocal about it. Our culture tends to associate criticism and feedback within a relationship with destined failure - which is simply not true. Many problems within relationships that ultimately lead to separations are a result of lack of communication and issues that have been bottled up to a point beyond repair.
6. Show appreciation even for the small things.
If your partner does something nice for you, be sure to either thank them or reciprocate the favor. Without some sign of appreciation, your significant other will lack motivation to continue doing nice things for you. Acknowledging and being thankful for the things your significant other does for you can go a long way towards a happy and healthy relationship.
7. Have hobbies outside of the relationship.
There will be times when you will be separated from your partner, whether that be due to different work schedules or simply because they also have activities they wish to partake in alone or with friends. Instead of being frustrated and upset over being separated, you should find activities that make you happy. Investing in art materials, finding interesting books to read, signing up for courses, playing music, learning how to program, or even cooking can all be examples of activities that you can partake in alone or with your own friends. It is okay to miss your significant other when they are not around, but make sure to keep your personal happiness a priority!
