As cheesy as it may sound, love makes the world go round. Whether platonic to romantic, love sparks joy and motivates us to be better. Your life partner is one of the people you’ll spend most of your life with. This means it’s important to have a partner you can always depend on. 

Whether you’re single or currently dating, it’s always good to watch out for the green flags in relationships – so you can know a good thing when you see it.

There’s open communication

A relationship without honest and open communication is a disaster waiting to happen. Couples who tend to sweep things under the rug are most likely to face misunderstandings that may escalate to heated confrontations or arguments. A partnership where you can comfortably express your desires, feelings, or needs is a sign that your relationship is treading the right path. 

You trust each other

Trust and love go hand-in-hand in almost any relationship. Relationship therapist Dr. Sarah Hunter Murray, Ph.D., RMFT, says having trust in your relationships means there’s security in your relationships. “That typically means we feel calmer and at ease versus feeling on edge, hyper-vigilant, and tense.” 

Having a partner who trusts you and shows they have your best interests at heart is a person worth keeping in your life forever. 

You resolve conflicts or disagreements together

Conflict isn’t a sign that your relationship is on the rocks. In fact, conflict in a relationship are normal. (If you aren’t disagreeing about anything, that might be a sign that you aren’t communicating enough.) But while disagreements can be healthy for your relationship, you shouldn’t be bickering with your partner 24/7 because that’s a whole other discussion.

Relationship expert Terri Orbuch, Ph.D., explains there’s no “too small to acknowledge” in a relationship. Human connections are complex by nature, but if a couple is determined to handle problems maturely, they can withstand anything.

You support each other’s goals

A partner who supports you is for keeps. They’re your number one cheerleader, and they help you grow as a person by bringing out the best in you. You don’t feel an ounce of jealousy or insecurity whenever you achieve something. All you get is unwavering love, and they’re always proud of you. That, my dear, is love!

There’s give-and-take

We often hear that if you truly love a person, you shouldn’t ask anything nor expect anything in return — which sounds poetic and admirable — but can be burdensome in the long run. The point is, just because you have so much love to give doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to feel appreciated or loved. 

Relationship expert Darcy Sterling says it’s important to tell your partner your needs and talk it out if they aren’t met. A relationship should be reciprocal because it helps improve and strengthen your bond as a couple. 

You respect each other’s boundaries

We always hear it’s important to have boundaries in a romantic relationship, and a partner who knows how to respect that is just ~*chef’s kiss*~. Boundaries help you feel comfortable and respected. These may include how much time you spend with your partner, how physical you want to be, how you handle your finances, etc. 

Experts say there should be a healthy space for both parties to grow as individuals. Of course, respect is a two-way street. You must also know how to respect your partner’s boundaries. 

You’re BOTH committed

How secure you are in your relationship depends heavily on how committed you feel your partner is. If both you and your partner are committed to being in it for the long haul, then you know that you can lean on each other when times get tough. Look for the kind of partner who’s ready to weather the rough days and celebrate wins with you.

You can be yourself around your partner

The butterflies you get when you’re first starting out are great, but once those disappear, that doesn’t mean that’s a bad thing. When you’re getting comfortable in a relationship, that can actually be a good sign. In fact, feeling comfortable with your partner creates more room to form a deeper bond. Psychologist Kayla Steele explains it suggests the couple has developed a level of attachment that’s essential for one’s physical and emotional well-being. 

It’s also worth noting that there’s a fine line between comfort and complacency. Ultimately, it always boils down to what you feel whenever you are with your partner. If you feel like you can be your truest self in front of them, maybe you’ve found ~*the one*~!

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