Araz Gholami

In a healthy and fulfilling relationship, you can expect the following qualities:

1. Mutual Respect

Respect and trust are the cornerstones of any healthy relationship. Mocking, disregarding, not taking each other’s words seriously, or ignoring each other’s desires—whether by you or your partner—are signs that the relationship might be heading downhill.

2. Quality Time Together

Spending time with one another in a healthy relationship isn’t a chore or obligation—it stems from mutual enthusiasm. This desire to spend time together should be present in both partners (with rare exceptions). If it’s not, take a moment to reflect on the nature of your relationship.

3. Meaningful Conversations Without Exhaustion

In a healthy relationship, there’s more to connect over than just coffee dates, physical intimacy, or casual outings. If you have nothing meaningful to talk about and your worlds are entirely different, it might be time to reevaluate and avoid wasting each other’s time.

4. A Shared Definition of Love and Romance

Partners in a healthy relationship have a mutual understanding of love and affection. If your expressions of love feel boring, fake, or exaggerated to your partner—or vice versa—you might want to consider the possibility of parting ways.

5. Physical Attraction and Desire

Physical desire and sexual attraction should, except for rare circumstances, remain strong in a healthy relationship. If you’re constantly rejected by your partner, or if you find your partner physically unattractive, take some time to reflect on whether continuing the relationship is the right choice.

6. Shared Plans and Responsibilities

In a healthy relationship, neither partner is a burden to the other. The challenges of life are shared, and both contribute to solving them. If one partner enjoys life’s breezes while the other is overwhelmed with responsibilities like rent or bills, the relationship is bound to face challenges sooner or later.

7. Open to Criticism, Flexible, and Tolerant

No relationship is perfect. Every relationship and every individual comes with flaws. However, with tolerance, constructive criticism, and a willingness to address irritations, you can overlook the negatives and create a beautiful bond. Even if one or more of the first six qualities are missing, hope and effort can still keep the relationship afloat.