Keep the Love Alive!

No two couples have the same relationship. Given inherent differences and surrounding circumstances, this is expected. Thus, you cannot directly compare how yours fare alongside those of others. Your bond is unique in as much as the same way that both you and your beau are one-of-a-kind persons in your own right. Yet despite differences, there exist common traits that unify all lasting, loving relationships. As the basic principles behind every successful romantic relationship, they provide meaning, fulfillment, and excitement through good times and bad:

 

So what traits characterize a healthy romantic relationship?

 

• Both partners are involved in each other’s lives.

 

Coexisting harmoniously by getting along with each other does not automatically imply that you are involved in each other’s lives. Involvement means relating to one another and working together to keep the relationship thriving. You may be an a-okay on the surface—hardly any arguments, good rapport, etc. But if you feel like a total outsider in his life, and vice versa, then you need to work on increasing involvement. Furthermore, if communication is lacking, then the gap widens all the more. If you feel like an outsider in his life, then your involvement is questionable.

 

• They can manage conflict well.

 

Disagreements are common between couples. Though both of you are willing to compromise, expect that you will not see eye to eye in everything and anything. Whether or not you resolve this quietly or through bickering and loud arguments, how you get through it is most important. Healthy couples are not fearful of conflicts. Partners should be comfortable about airing their opinions openly about matters that bother them individually. Neither one of them should not be held back by fear of humiliation, degradation and being overshadowed.

 

• Each partner keeps his/her own interests and relationships (non-romantic).

 

Couples may be crazy about each other. But they should never fall into the trap of thinking that either one of them answers all individual needs. If one of them sees things this way, then he can put too much pressure on his partner. Healthy relationships have couples that acknowledge their need of one another while still keeping their own friends and relationships with other people. Each partner has his/her own sets of interests apart from those he/she shares with the other.

• They communicate.

But not just communicate. They communicate honestly and openly. If something bothers them, they bring it out into the open. They are comfortable in each other’s presence. When either one of them has to say something, they do so without fear or discomfort. Direct communication fuels and further strengthens their bond. But communication is not just limited to speaking. This includes non-verbal communication evident in the following: eye contact, body movements, touching, etc.