What is a Healthy Relationship?

What is a healthy relationship?

A truly healthy relationship is built on many factors, but the foundation lies in trust and communication. Without communication, a relationship cannot thrive. Couples need to talk about everything—little things, big things, insignificant things, and the most important things. Discussing your thoughts and feelings prevents issues from festering and eventually exploding in unexpected ways, which can catch your partner off guard and lead to unnecessary conflict.

In my relationship, my partner and I have never had a fight. That doesn’t mean we don’t disagree; we do. However, we always communicate our feelings and discuss everything that bothers us. We talk about our hopes and dreams, goals, daily activities, passions, dislikes, morals, and more. This open communication is why our relationship has been so successful. We show affection in small ways, even five years in—like him bringing me flowers for no reason or giving me a kiss goodbye. These small gestures make us feel valued and loved.

We validate each other’s feelings rather than dismissing them. If we don’t understand something, we sit down and ask questions until we do. I’m not saying our relationship is perfect—no relationship is. But ours is the best we’ve ever had because we communicate and show love and affection without needing a reason. We validate each other and share the burdens of life. A relationship should always be 100%, not 50/50.

When my partner comes home and can only give 20% after a tough day, I pick up the remaining 80% until he’s rejuvenated. It’s okay to not give your all every day, and it’s okay for your partner to have off days too. A relationship is about give and take, respecting that balance and not taking advantage of it.

Two years ago, I went through a deep depression, and I could only give maybe 20% each day for a long time. My partner picked up the slack, giving 80% each day, even though it weighed on his mental health. We talked about it, and he understood I was in a dark place. When I overcame my depression, I started contributing more again, picking up 30%, 40%, 50%, or whatever was needed. This is how a true relationship works.

It’s essential to remember that even if your partner can give more, you shouldn’t give less just because they can pick up the slack. If there’s no reason for you to give less, you should strive to contribute equally. This prevents resentment from building up. Recently, I forgot this and let my partner give his maximum while I gave less, which led to an argument. We had an open discussion about it, and I realized the importance of giving my all each day. Some days I can give more, and some days less, but it’s crucial to communicate when you can’t give your full share.

In summary, communication is key. Talk about everything, show affection, validate each other’s feelings, and share the burdens of life. This approach creates a strong, healthy relationship built on mutual respect and understanding.