In a good relationship, your partner is your best friend, your lover and everything in between. They’re the one person you’d do just about anything for, and that feeling should go both ways. There are certain things that you and your partner should do for each other automatically in order to keep your bond strong:
- Help each other reach your goals. As one half of a functioning adult relationship, your partner needs you to be their support system. Whatever they’re trying to accomplish, you should strive to be a source of moral support, advice, and possibly even innovation to help achieve their dreams. After all, two brilliant minds are better than one.
- Be honest, even when the truth sucks. Even when the truth is hard to hear, it’s still necessary to hear it. That’s one of the responsibilities of a long-term partner; you can and should be honest when it really matters.
- Forgive each other’s imperfections. Nobody’s perfect, although we sure try hard to give that appearance, especially at the beginning of a relationship. When it comes down to it, we all know that our imperfections will be revealed over time. As partners in a committed relationship, you need to be able to forgive each others’ imperfections and build each other up.
- Motivate each other to be the best. Being in a relationship is like having your own personal cheerleader who also knows you better than anyone. Therefore, they can be really good at providing motivation for you to be the best possible version of yourself. Likewise, you should be striving to provide that same encouragement.
- Provide a self-esteem boost when the other needs it. Everyone needs to feel good about themselves, and a good partner enjoys providing that much-needed self esteem. Don’t lie; just be honest about all the things you love most about them.
- Tell each other how sexy you are. After enduring all those grueling years in the meat market that is today’s dating scene, the acceptance and attraction of a long-term partner is your reward. Suddenly, you’re receiving compliments and getting laid on a regular basis, even if you didn’t go to the gym or put on makeup that day. Isn’t that the dream?
- Provide unconditional love. The whole point of being in a committed relationship is to share a love that knows no boundaries or judgments. It’s easy to do if you’re in a really good relationship; it just comes naturally.
- Shut up and listen when the other needs to talk. Listening is free, and it’s one of the best things you can do for someone. When the chips are down, everyone needs someone to talk to, and that should be something you can depend on your partner for.
- Make each other laugh every day. Life can be tough, and laughter is a requirement in order to survive it. If you can relieve each others’ stress every day, you have the keys to a happy and long-lasting relationship already in your hands.
- Give each other 100%. The most important thing you can do for your partner (and vice versa) is to be dedicated to them and the relationship. Commitment is a two-way street, and good relationships aren’t truly 50/50: they’re 100/100.
