Healthy relationships require effort and compromise from both partners and involve open communication, honesty, trust, and respect between partners.
There is no power disparity. Partners share decisions, accept each other’s independence, and are free to act independently without fear of repercussions. There is no stalking or refusal to let the other partner go if or when a relationship ends.
Below are Characteristics of a healthy relationship;
- Respect for privacy and space. You don’t have to be with your partner 24/7.
- Your partner encourages you to spend time with friends without them, and to participate in activities that you enjoy.
- You feel comfortable expressing your opinions and concerns to your partner.
- Your feel physically safe and your partner doesn’t force you to have sex or to do things that make you feel uncomfortable.
- Your partner respects your wishes and feelings and you can compromise and negotiate when there are disagreements or conflicts.
foundation of a healthy relationship
- Boundaries: You and your partner are able to find ways to meet each other’s’ needs in ways that you both feel comfortable with.
- Communication: You and your partner can share your feelings, even when you don’t agree, in a way that makes the other person feel safe, heard, and not judged.
- Trust: Building trust can take time and allows couples to be vulnerable with one another knowing that they can rely on the other person.
- Consent: Most commonly used when you’re being sexually active, giving consent means that you are okay with what is happening, and that no one is forcing you or guilting you into doing anything that you don’t want to do. Consent can be given and taken back at any time, and giving consent once does not mean you automatically give consent in the future.
Please be aware that trying to impose boundaries, open communication, trust, and other good behaviors in some abusive relationships may put your safety in danger. Keep in mind that abuse is all about power and control, and an abusive person might not want to relinquish authority over you.
Be cautious. Run away if you believe someone is abusing you or treating you with disrespect!
To you, What does a heathy relationship mean? – Let’s talk…
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