“A great relationship doesn’t happen because of the love you had in the beginning, but how well you continue building love until the end.” – Unknown
We all agree that a house requires more than just a foundation to stand strong. Similarly, for relationships to thrive in happiness and harmony, they too need a multitude of pillars.
Here are 15 key elements for fostering a happy and healthy relationship:
1. Trust
Trust is the cornerstone of any relationship, it provides a sense of security and assurance. When trust exists between partners, it signifies confidence and safety. It nurtures openness, allowing couples to be their authentic, true selves without fear. Trust cultivates an environment where partners feel liberated to express themselves freely.
2. Respect
Respect lays the foundation for trust in a relationship, it’s the significance of a deep appreciation for your partner as an autonomous individual. Respect entails valuing their opinions, interests, beliefs, and emotions. Thus, it’s an essential ingredient in achieving relationship wellness.
3. Communication
Communication is vital for maintaining the connection and dynamism in a relationship. It serves as the conduit through which needs are conveyed, misunderstandings are clarified, conflicts are resolved, and feelings and thoughts are expressed.
Both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication play crucial roles in maintaining understanding and intimacy within a relationship.
4. Mutual goals
Ensuring that your desires and aspirations align on common ground is crucial for any relationship. Sharing the same wavelength, goals, and plans can significantly strengthen the bond between partners.
5. Privacy
As the saying goes, “Let’s live happily, let’s live hidden.” When a relationship becomes public, it can lose its true meaning. A relationship is meant to be an intimate bond between two individuals, and when a third party interferes, its security is compromised.
6. Support
Support from a partner is invaluable and can make a profound difference in a relationship. It gives great motivation, shows respect, and boosts confidence and certainty in one’s actions and decisions.
7. Sense of responsibility
In a relationship, maintaining happiness and ensuring its longevity is a shared responsibility. It requires a strong sense of commitment towards your partner and the relationship itself.
8. Maturity
A mature person does not act selfishly. They are aware of their duties and boundaries, and they demonstrate consideration in their actions. Hence maturity is an important aspect of a healthy and balanced relationship.
9. Forgiveness
Holding grudges can severely damage a relationship. Forgiving and letting go illustrate your commitment to making the relationship work and maintaining your bond with your partner.
10. Affection
Expressing affection and care is vital in a relationship. It strengthens the bond between partners, providing reassurance and consolidating their connection. It also helps to feel a sense of belonging and security.
11. Friendship
Friendship is the most fulfilling stage in any relationship — no closer or more comfortable connection exists. Friendships are built on transparency, honesty, and authenticity. Hence, treating each other and acting like friends develop an enjoyable and lasting relationship.
12. Overlooking
To maintain a happy relationship, it’s important to sometimes overlook each other’s mistakes and flaws. Avoiding unnecessary involvement in conflicts and disputes, and not giving them undue importance, can often reduce tension and help the relationship to thrive.
13. Understanding
Understanding is a critical attribute of a healthy relationship. It involves the capacity to grasp each other’s thoughts, feelings and emotions, as well as comprehending why your partner is behaving in certain ways. Empathy nurtures a bond characterized by harmony and balance.
14. Acceptance
Accept one’s partner as they are, including their good qualities and flaws. Avoiding entering a relationship with the expectation that they will change is essential for fostering genuine connection and mutual respect. Instead, embracing each other’s shortcomings and imperfections which is key to building a strong foundation of understanding and support. Acceptance creates an atmosphere of chemistry and reliability, where both partners can feel valued and accepted for who they truly are.
15. Individuality
A relationship goal is not to lose one’s identity by merging completely with the other person. Instead, it should refine behaviours and temperament to bring out the best version of oneself. Maintaining personal space is crucial in this process and it is one of the most important characteristics of a successful relationship.
In the beginning, all relationships are blissful and wonderful. It takes patience, consistency, and commitment to establish a robust one that would not be shaken over time.