Steps to Start a Healthy Relationship

A healthy relationship is the foundation of a happy life everyone wants to have. It offers stability, support, and a sense of belonging, which is beautiful. But it’s a well-known fact that any relationships are not always easy to maintain, and it takes time and effort to build trust and a strong bond with someone.

It is important to have a proper understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship. Trust, love, respect, honesty, and openness between partners are some of the many important aspects one must keep in mind. But since a healthy relationship is the work of two, it’s essential to know that your partner is willing to do their part. Having the right person by your side is a fundamental need.

Many argue that to find that “right person,” you need to meet in special places. In fact, this is far from being the truth. You can meet someone on a tender meeting site, intending just to spend the night with someone gentle and caring, and that person will turn out to be your destiny. Or you can meet someone at a family party through friends or relatives, and that person will ruin your life completely. Sometimes, life is just unpredictable.

Speaking of online dating, recently, there have been an increasing number of cases when people who met on a casual dating site ended up getting married and building a long, healthy relationship. So, is it still correct to say that we still have to find a soul mate through friends in today’s world?

Either way, to build a healthy relationship, you need to know the basics. So today, we prepared 5 fundamental steps everyone should follow.

Have realistic expectations

Make sure that you are both on the same page when it comes to your expectations for the future relationship. Communication is key, so when meeting someone new, make sure you both are interested in building something meaningful rather than having a one-time thing. At least hypothetically.

Don’t expect a new relationship to be perfect from the very start. As we mentioned previously, it takes two to build a strong, healthy bond, so prepare to work hard. Don’t build castles in the air; instead, learn to see the picture as it is and work on it together.

Find shared couple activities

Growing together is one of the aspects of a healthy relationship, so find shared activities that you can enjoy with one another. Whether it’s taking a cooking class, going on a hike, or going to the movies – there are many ways you can have fun as a couple while exploring your relationship.

As an example, try volunteering. Helping those in need is not only a healthy way of strengthening your relationships, but it also improves your mental health big time.

Keep your personal space

Even if you love each other madly, you still need to have some time for yourself. Set personal boundaries from the very start. Explain to your partner that just because you want to spend some time alone doing your own things doesn’t mean you don’t love them anymore. By spending time on your own, you will not only give yourself a needed break but also avoid the risk of becoming overwhelmed with communication with your significant other. Keeping a healthy balance in the relationship is essential to avoid becoming one flesh with your partner, which can be dangerous for both of you.

Agree to disagree

Accept the fact that you won’t always be agreed with your partner’s thoughts and views, and that’s normal. Two different people can’t agree on everything all the time. Instead of fiercely proving that it’s you who’s right, learn to listen to your partner and accept their point of view, even if you don’t agree with them completely. Realize that it’s okay to disagree and have different views on the same issue. In a situation like this, the most important thing is not to get personal; instead, show respect for your partner. Discuss the issue that concerns you, and if your views differ, try to find a compromise.

Be ready for highs and lows

There are rough patches in every relationship because that’s how life works. It’s vital to understand that the problems will eventually disappear, but your feelings will stay. So prepare yourself for the fact that not everything will always be perfect. And that’s okay, too. Learn to listen to each other, even if it feels hard at first. Healthy communication helps solve 80% of problems and smooth out the sharper edges. If there is a problem in your relationship, don’t put it aside. Discuss it with your partner and try to find a solution together.

Communication is the key to a healthy relationship; now we know that. But communication isn’t just about talking; it’s also about listening. In order for someone to feel heard, they need the other person to be actively listening. So learn to listen to each other and accept your perspectives politely, and your relationship will radiate.