There comes a point in every relationship when you have to ask yourself if the love you have now is going to last. And if you’re not wondering if it is going to last, then you might wonder if you even want it to. It’s been said many times before, but relationships are hard. And just as this is true so is the fact that the best things in life generally are worth working for. So, if you do in fact want your relationship to last, what are the signs that could tell you that it will actually work?
For starters, a good relationship will generally leave you feeling good about yourself. You and your beau will want to be better for the other, do things to look good for the other, and do things because they know it will make each other happy. A good partner will respect you and wish the best for you. Abuse of any kind will not yield good feelings, so if he or she is making you feel bad about how you look or who you are, it is time to rethink your relationship status.
And when your partner makes you feel good about yourself, you usually want to spend more time with him/ her. It is important to maintain that desire to be with one another, even when (and especially if) you can’t be together. We all have our responsibilities and hobbies that we must attend to and nurture in order to live well-rounded lives. But it is a good sign if your mind wanders and you find yourself thinking about your plans for the weekend or text him to say “can’t wait to see you tonight.” It’s also a good sign if you often remind yourself to tell your partner different things that are happening during your day. When you hear that certain song on the radio or your coworker tells you a joke or a story that you know she’d love- tell her. Finding these small ways to connect will also help to maintain that same feeling that comes when the two of you spend time together. And when you do this, you show interest in your partner
Another crucial factor is that the two of you respect one another. You don’t have to agree on everything, but you do have to acknowledge the other person’s opinion (when you are with him) and highlight his good qualities. If you find yourself constantly making excuses for his behavior, odds are you probably don’t respect him. It’s great if you find yourself bragging about him or standing up for him when someone you both know crosses the line.
If you or your partner doesn’t have one or more of these qualities, it doesn’t mean you have to call it quits and never look back. But it is worth it to reflect on whether or not you are really getting what you want/ need out of this relationship and to discuss how to work on your relationship with your partner. Everything is worth the effort, if the both of you want to try and make it work. Some things are able to be fixed because sometimes things just go off track, but if things don’t change, it’s time to move on.
