7 signs you are in a healthy relationship

Two years or twenty—it’s always good to know where you are in a relationship. Many people say that when you are in a good relationship, everything flows naturally. Others would argue that there is nothing effortless about love. Perhaps both are right. Either way, you will certainly know when you are in a healthy relationship. Wondering whether yours has it? Here are seven signs that you are in a healthy relationship.

Conflict is a part of any partnership. But how do you or your partner deal with it? With iron fists or with patience and understanding? Remember that respect is nonnegotiable in any relationship. If your partner is respectful while still being mad at you, that’s a keeper, because in relationships, respect is far more important than love.

When two people with different values, backgrounds, and upbringings share a life, disagreements are bound to happen. Understanding this very fact is what makes a relationship work. You don’t necessarily have to agree with every opinion of your partner. But you mustn’t force your opinion on them, either. That is the subtle art of coexisting. Whether it is politics, parenting principles, or who has the better fashion sense, you can hold your ground without it turning into a power struggle. If you agree to disagree, voilà, you are in a good relationship.

Being in a relationship means choosing your partner every single day—not just on the brighter days, but also on the days when everything is falling apart. In a healthy partnership, both people show up. The commitment here is mutual. They are both present in the relationship. They don’t mind meeting each other halfway.

If you don’t have to pretend to be someone else when your partner is around, that’s an incredible sign of a good relationship. Being able to be your goofy self and not pose as someone else really matters. The freedom to be yourselves in a relationship is a green flag.

When you live together, you have responsibilities. In a healthy relationship, both partners contribute. This may not necessarily be in identical ways, but in ways that feel fair. Something as simple as one cooking and the other cleaning on a Friday night is an example. The idea is not to have the chores divided like roommates, but to share the load.

Healthy partners understand the importance of personal space. Though you have chosen to lead a life together, keeping your individuality is crucial. In healthy relationships, partners understand this and do not see it as a threat. In such relationships, there will always be room for your own friendships, hobbies, interests, and solitude without guilt or suspicion. And that’s trust.

When you are around your partner, are you more at ease? Are you more ambitious and creative? More kind? Well, then that’s the kind of relationship you want to hold on to. Because in a healthy relationship, your partner genuinely inspires you to grow.