Relationships are a huge part of our lives. They can be close and intimate or distant and challenging. Different types of relationships help make up our social support network and are pivotal to our physical and mental well-being. However, they may not always be as fulfilling as we would like them to be.
A primary reason people seek out love and/or relationships is because it gives them a chance to be loved for who they are on the inside, not what or whom others want them to be. This is why it can be so devastating when a relationship doesn’t work out. It’s also why it’s so important to be clear about what you want and need from a partner when you enter one.
Intimacy in a relationship requires time, effort, and commitment. It involves being able to be yourself with the person you’re in a relationship with and making a conscious choice to spend quality time together (even with busy schedules and kids).
It requires trust. It means being faithful, keeping your promises, and following through even when it’s difficult. It also involves letting your partner spend time with other people in their life without feeling jealous or defensive.
It requires respect for each other’s interests, hobbies, and perspectives. It also includes allowing for the occasional secret (like having a crush on someone) and embracing the different parts of each other’s personality that you don’t necessarily agree with.