Love is confusing and fierce and it’s okay if you feel a little lost navigating this sometimes scary complicated world of relationships. To be able to build a wholesome, fulfilling relationship with a partner, it’s important that our understanding of love is accurate and realistic. Love is the unsaid understanding you need when life leaves you speechless.
Each of us has lived a unique life and has had different experiences from it. Consequently, we have our own beliefs and value system about what makes a relationship work. When it comes to having a satisfying relationship, what really matters? What are the 5 most important things in a relationship? Let’s find out, with this lowdown on things that matter most in relationships:
Emotional Intimacy
Intimacy is the ability to be vulnerable in front of another person. It allows us to open up and see the world from a different perspective, and it is one of the most important things in a healthy relationship. Intimacy in a relationship does not equal love; rather, it reflects the ability of both partners to be their most vulnerable with one another.
This emotional connection is usually considered to be the most important thing in a relationship for a woman. However, it’s not a gender-specific need. Emotional intimacy is the most important thing in a relationship for a man too.
The reason is simple: women, generally, have a higher emotional quotient. It’s the men, who need emotional support more often. A relationship without intimacy can survive if other aspects are strong enough to compensate for its absence, but a relationship with intimacy will always be more rewarding.
Balanced independence
One of the most important things in love is also the most important thing in life: balance. In any relationship that’s worth keeping, you need to find the balance between independence and interdependence.
Without independence, you’ll never grow together as individuals, which means that your connection will eventually become stifling and you’ll want to break free. Without interdependence, you’re both incomplete, like two halves of a whole trying to fit together but without the glue that can make them stick.
Some relationships are great for a while, but then eventually one person wants out because there’s nothing left to discover. In my experience, not giving each other enough space always leads to the couple drifting apart.” This is exactly why balancing personal and shared space is among the key qualities of a good relationship.
Mutual attraction
Usually, a partner’s physical attributes, more specifically, the attraction stemming from it is considered to be the most important thing in a relationship for a man. But attraction is equally important for women. If you are with a person to whom you are not physically attracted, the romantic spark will invariably fizzle out and communication will become a problem.
So, what makes a person attractive? If you want to improve your love life, it all starts by learning how attraction works. You need to understand your own “type” and learn how to attract the kind of people you are most compatible with.
Is it the humour and personality? Is it their intellect and ability to have deep, intellectual conversations? Or is it about how they make you laugh and how much you enjoy yourself when you’re together? Find the answers to these questions. They might be the things that matter most in relationships, and they certainly will matter to your overall happiness.
Communication is key
Good communication is probably one of the most important things in a healthy relationship. If you don’t feel like you can talk to your partner about anything and everything, then it may be time to reevaluate your relationship.
Whatever you’re dealing with, whether it’s a serious problem or an everyday conversation, communication is key. It isn’t just limited to talking and texting; your gestures, actions, and overall body language are equally significant.
Expressing your feelings might be hard sometimes, but if you want to have a successful relationship you need to start trying. Besides, communication is said to be the most important thing in a relationship for a woman, so you might want to learn how to communicate effectively to keep the woman of your dreams feeling secure and assured.
Shared life values
Is it easier to love someone who shares your passion? Does it matter that they love to shop when you hate it? Is it better to be in a relationship with someone who shares your need for honesty and transparency?
It depends. Having common interests is definitely a perk. But it’s not indispensable. If you’re just getting to know someone, you might ask yourself if there are enough mutual interests between you two. But as time goes on and a couple becomes closer and more comfortable with each other, they can find common ground in ways they never thought imaginable.
Having common core values is a different matter. One of the fundamental aspects of a successful relationship is that both partners agree on what matters in life. You don’t have to agree on all accounts, of course. But it’s pivotal that you both live your life on similar principles, even if to varying degrees.
It’s okay if your views on morals and values don’t always match. However, your values and morals mustn’t lie on the opposite end of the spectrum. You should be able to stay true to your principles without perpetual conflict.”
Be each other’s support system in tough times. If both are going through unique problems, then you need to evaluate which one deserves to be prioritized at the moment. It’s important to forget your issues for the time being and be there for the other person. By putting these ideas into practice, you can help strengthen your bond with your partner. So if you want a strong relationship, be open to love and make your significant other feel loved every single day.
