Six Qualities That Good Relationships May Have

You may have seen picture-perfect couples both in-person and in the media, but have you ever sat down and thought about the specific qualities needed to succeed in a relationship? While there may be no such thing as a perfect relationship, there can be several different components that add up to make one a very strong one. In this article, we’ll cover the essential good qualities every relationship should have, at least according to research and expert opinions. Remember, though, that you and your partner’s own versions of an ideal relationship can be totally valid, so long as it’s healthy for everyone involved.

Trust

Without mutual trust, a relationship may be bound to fall apart at some point, and it’s something that likely needs to be maintained across the course of a relationship.

It can be much easier to maintain trust with a partner by being faithful, attentive, honest and caring than it might be to earn it back.

Almost no one wants to be with someone that they feel they can’t trust – it can consume too much physical and emotional energy to try and make sure they aren’t doing things that they shouldn’t be doing. Likewise, trust can be the foundation for open communication down the road; it can be hard to be honest with someone when we don’t trust they’ll respect us, make an effort to change, or won’t use it against us.

Openness

It might seem like trust and openness are nearly identical in a relationship, but they can be two distinct aspects. However, they may also be closely related.

In most cases, openness is not possible without trust, but not always. A person can still trust their partner but still not be open about their thoughts and feelings. They might be uncomfortable expressing these emotions. It doesn’t mean it’s not a good relationship, but it may not be as strong as it could be.

By being open with your feelings, you can allow problems to get addressed as they come up. Without it, things may potentially never get fixed. The truth can hurt at times but letting it out may open the doors to solutions.

Even if you think your thoughts are upsetting and embarrassing, letting your partner see your vulnerable side can be a positive thing. It can also be a way to continue building and maintaining mutual trust between each other.

Respect

Like trust, respect can be one of the good traits that couples many need for a functional relationship. Good relationships typically have a sense of mutual respect from the get-go; however, it can still be improved with time and effort.

Respect typically means acknowledging a person’s beliefs and opinions, but it can go much deeper than that. Respect can refer to many things and can be as specific as you want it to be.

For example, it can mean being aware of each other’s boundaries, listening to what your partner has to say, and being courteous with communication. 

Sacrifices and compromises

One of the characteristics of a healthy relationship may be that it should never be a one-way street. There is also no “I” in the word “couple,” which can emphasize that both people may need to participate and do things in each other’s best interests to make things work. There might be times when things are inconvenient, but it can be important to work to support your partner and their decisions, as long as it’s reasonable. Good relationships often do this consistently, and many of the solutions that come from having discussions or disagreements usually end up benefiting both people rather than being completely one-sided.

Commitment

When people are committed, they’re often in it for the long haul, arguably making this one of the most important qualities of a good relationship.

If one person is not as committed to the relationship as another, their goals may not be completely aligned. Many couples find that it can be important to make sure that they are on the same page and maintain the same core values.

It can be natural for goals and values to change over time, which is why many good relationships try to keep these things up to date in terms of expectations and desires. This could mean feeling the same about the future of your relationship, career, and more.

Growth

A relationship that becomes stagnant can come with many problems, especially related to physical and emotional intimacy. Good relationships can prevent this by growing rather than falling into old habits and routines.

If you’ve been in a steady relationship for a while, you might already be familiar with how easy it can be to fall into a routine and go with the flow because it’s comfortable. We often want to feel relaxed and satisfied with our partners, but getting stuck in a comfort zone can prevent a relationship from progressing.

To continue growing as a couple, you may need to try new things together. You can also consider revisiting ideas from the past that made the relationship exciting. For example, many couples that have been together for an extended period might not go out on dates as often as they did before. 

Going out on dates can help couples keep having fun and communicating, and it may even foster emotional intimacy. Even if a couple makes it a point to go out often, it can still be possible to get stuck in a rut. This is why it may be essential to keep trying new things as well.

When people think of spicing things up, it doesn’t necessarily mean just in the bedroom; you can feel open to explore things both together and separately to keep things moving forward.

One thing you can choose to do either on your own or with your partner may be seeking professional advice. Speaking to professional counselors and therapists can help you learn the skills you need to have the strongest relationship possible. It can also give you a chance to discuss any concerns you might have and find new ways to grow closer together.

Online counseling can be a great way to work on communication skills, expressing needs, and much more. No matter your concerns, it’s likely that talking to a professional can benefit you in some way. Research shows that 95% of couples who engage in online couples counseling find the experience to be “helpful,” which means that you may, too.

Takeaway

Whether you have a good relationship already or looking to improve on some things, hopefully, this article has given you an idea of what makes a relationship successful and provides you with some areas to focus on if you needed some guidance. Relationships can take a lot of work to make them great. But if you plan to be with your partner for as long as possible, it’s likely worth making the effort.