Make Your Relationships Healthy

Happily Ever After SignDid you ever wonder what a healthy relationship is supposed to be like? Do TV shows and movies depict what we should expect from our relationships?

Unfortunately, Hollywood may not be the best example, but it’s never too late to try to improve your relationships and model the best features that work.  The following are some guidelines to follow to be sure you are living your best life—together with your partner:

  1. You feel safe and comfortable expressing your feelings and needs, without fear of being reprimanded or belittled.
  2. You support each other’s goals, encouraging in a non-competitive, accepting way.
  3. Decisions are made together, with respect given to each other’s opinions. No one person is superior to the other and there is a balance between giving and receiving.
  4. Conflicts are mutually resolved. There is willingness to compromise so that no one person is left feeling wrong or devalued.
  5. You share common interests and ideals, but are able to pursue outside interests, including friends, hobbies, schooling, etc. There is a balance of closeness and separateness from each other, yet you are able to play and have fun.
  6. You maintain your autonomy, so that if you are left alone, you are able to function, taking care of all your responsibilities and commitments easily.

These may seem impossible to fulfill, but they aren’t that difficult.  After all, they are basically the inalienable rights we all deserve.  Everyone needs to feel respected and valued for who they are. The thing to remember is that whatever you want in a relationship, your partner probably wants it too.

So, you may have to be the catalyst to make some changes, with the intention of both of you reaping the rewards.   Don’t be afraid to initiate things, because changes have to start somewhere.  So, open up your communication lines, be fair when you fight, honor and respect each other’s feelings and know that however you treat your significant other is how you want to be treated, as well.  Why not be the best you can be – for yourself and for those you sincerely care about?