Cultivating trust and communicating effectively are two ways you can be a good partner and establish a healthy relationship. But it’s also about what you don’t do. If you’re in love, you may wonder what qualities can help you make the relationship work and what makes a good romantic partner. While each couple is different, there are a few specific characteristics and skills that may help you strengthen your bond. These tips to be a better partner may help:
Effective Communication
Communicating effectively is an excellent way to be a better partner to your dear one and it’s one of many healthy relationship characteristics. Open and honest communication plays a crucial role in marital satisfaction. To practice effective communication you may want to consider the following:
Use “I statements,” such as, “I feel sad when we don’t prioritize spending time together.”
Express gratitude and appreciation toward your partner, saying things like, “I appreciate you listening to me and offering solutions to this issue.”
Practice active listening by reflecting back on what you hear your partner say and focusing on
understanding rather than responding.
Physical and Emotional Safety
Emotional security is another important component of what makes a great relationship. When you feel safe, you can trust your partner, and they can trust you. Physical safety is also an essential factor for building trust. If you don’t feel safe with another person, it can be challenging to have a thriving relationship. Consider these tips:
Practice listening without judgment.
Respect your partner’s boundaries and alone time.
Avoid coercive or manipulative tactics.
Accept responsibility and apologize for your mistakes.
You can’t have emotional safety without physical safety first.
Trust
Trust is a crucial part of a healthy relationship and acting in a way that promotes trust helps you be a good partner. When you can trust your partner, you know that they keep their word and don’t violate the rules of the relationship. A lack of trust can predict significant challenges in relationships, such as:
emotional instability
endless conflict
low satisfaction
intention to break up
To be someone your partner can trust, you might try:
following through on your word
avoiding snooping
respecting your partner’s property and privacy
opening up and being vulnerable with them
honouring your relationship agreements
staying faithful
Mutual Respect
If you’re wondering what makes a great relationship and a good partner, respect is a quality you may want to consider. Mutual respect is valuing each other’s individuality. You respect your partner through a variety of actions. If you don’t cultivate mutual respect, you may fall into contempt for your partner. When you respect one another, you appreciate each other’s uniqueness and treat each other kindly despite challenges. To be a respectful partner, you may want to:
avoid name-calling, attacking and sarcasm
express emotions and feelings without blame or judgment
appreciate your partner for who they are, even if you have differences
celebrate your differences and individual experiences
avoid mocking or belittling your partner
learn to work through conflicts
Compromise
There will be times when you disagree with your partner, or they may want to do something that you have no interest in. That’s OK and saying “no” doesn’t make you a “bad partner.” While you want to respect your boundaries, compromising may be necessary at times, though. Three things may lead to negative interactions in a romantic relationship:
unwillingness to compromise
insensitivity toward partner’s emotions and experiences
untrustworthiness
Meeting your partner halfway helps you prioritize the relationship and express how important your partner is to you. Some ways to practice compromise include:
remaining open-minded
listening to your partner’s wishes and desires
considering your partners’ point of view in all decisions
finding a middle ground
being open and honest about your feelings
listening to and considering alternatives to your solutions
