If there's one thing I've learned from my past, it's to never accept less than you deserve. While this is important in all aspects of life, it is especially crucial in regards to relationships. This means you must know your worth and make sure others know, too. When you are completely and totally infatuated with someone, it's easy to lose yourself in this relationship and make exceptions that you shouldn't. The standard you set for yourself in the beginning of a relationship is the baseline that the other person will follow indefinitely. In order for your significant other to treat you properly, you have to be able to recognize how you deserve to be treated, and of course, hold them to this.

You deserve someone who never stops trying to understand you.

Everyone is different in the way they behave and act under certain circumstances. In order for a relationship to work, your significant other must take the time to understand exactly how you operate. Obviously, this does not come easily; it takes time. This person needs to pay attention to what pisses you off and what excites you. They need to constantly observe your reactions and use this information to better the way that they treat you.

You deserve someone who is secure enough to trust you under any circumstances (only if you're worthy of this trust, of course).

In this day and age, it is nearly impossible to find someone who hasn't been cheated on or played with. So, of course, this trust comes with time and is earned. However, once they realize you are worthy of this trust, your significant other should never doubt you.

You deserve someone who allows you to be your own person.

This is very important, because it is so easy to be consumed by one another when in a serious relationship. Your significant other should recognize your differences and never try to change you. They should appreciate the things that make you so unique and encourage you to embrace them. In a relationship, you should never lose yourself and if both of you understand this, it is much less likely to happen.

You deserve someone who lets you breathe.

Feeling suffocated in a relationship is an extremely unhealthy condition. Your significant other should be considerate of your space, and they should want space of their own, too. You should never be with someone who drags you away from your other relationships. Instead, you should be with someone who admires your strong friendships and wants to be apart of them.

You deserve someone who is proud to show you off.

They should brag about you and compliment the ways that you are amazing. They should always remind you why they are with you and they should make you feel like you are worth the world.

Ultimately, if you are aware of all of the things you deserve from your significant other and you accept nothing less, you will find a love that will last a lifetime. Of course, you must be aware of what they deserve, too.