Everyone is different and we all have our own ideas of what qualities make up an ideal partner. However, some characteristics should always appear as our top priorities if we’re looking for long-term love. Basically, if you can’t picture yourself marrying a guy, you shouldn’t bother dating him.
- You want stability. When you reach a certain age or just a certain period of your life, you don’t want to play games anymore. You’re a grown woman so you want a grown man. You want to settle down and feel like everything in your life is under control. You need to look for a man who can provide you with stability on every single level.
- You deserve trust. The most fundamental trait of any relationship is trust. You want to feel that you can truly trust your partner. Having doubts when he’s on the phone or stressing when he goes out at night with his friends—all those feelings are destroying for both you and your relationship. You want to be able to tell him to have fun when he goes and go to bed reassured that he won’t break that trust.
- You want to build a future. Being in a relationship means making plans with the person you’re committed to. Short or long-term, you want to see that your relationship is going somewhere. You want someone who’s ready to imagine several years down the road and build a future with you. Whether it’s traveling the world, buying a house, or having a kid, you have to know that you’re both longing for the same prospects in life.
- You believe in healthy compromises. You only want to surround yourself with people who will accept you for who you are. In exchange, you have to offer them the same. This level of acceptance from both partners only comes with compromise, so when you enter a serious relationship, remember that your partner isn’t there to change you and you’re not there to change them. You have to build a relationship based on acceptance.
- You want to be appreciated for all of your unique quirks. You need to find someone who’s not only willing to embrace your personality but who truly appreciates it. Someone who, instead of trying to change and erase your faults, will always try to bring out the best in you Someone you’ll feel comfortable being yourself around at all times. Someone who will never judge you.
- You want financial security. Even though feelings come first in the choice of a partner, you just can’t avoid some pragmatic criteria. To build a serious relationship, your partner must know how to make wise decisions concerning his finances. You want someone able to support themselves financially and who knows how to be smart with money. Unfortunately, when this area of a relationship isn’t balanced and organized, money can become a serious issue for a couple.
- You value your independence. You want to look for a guy who won’t be emotionally dependent. Dependent guys can jeopardize your own independence, preventing you from achieving your personal ambitions. Holding the role of a girlfriend or a wife is plenty enough as it is. You don’t want to be a mother and/or his psychologist too.
- Confidence leads to success. It’s hard to feel comfortable in your own skin and it takes a long time to get there. However, it’s a personal journey. Even though you and your partner will be there to support each other no matter what, you can’t deal with all his insecurities and confidence crises. Again, you’re not his psychologist!
- Without ambition, things will be stagnant. Supporting each other in your plans, seeing each other working hard to achieve them, and being proud when you do is what the best couples do. Your partner needs to know where he’s going as you can’t be with someone who’ll just see where life brings them. You can’t build a solid future with a bohemian poet, as sexy as it sounds. You’re not a teenager anymore.
- You want to grow old with someone down to earth. You will always feel more comfortable trusting and relying on a guy who has his head straight on his shoulders. Having dreams is beautiful and so important, but you need to always have to have a firm grip on reality too. You need someone who knows that it takes hard work and dedication to get anywhere in life. This way, you can work on it together.
