Love and respect. A combination of concepts that are inseparable in a healthy and meaningful long-term relationship. True love is impossible without respect. If it seems that you are loved, but you still experience moments that show that you are not respected - then it is anything but love.

Let's take a deeper look - how does showing respect manifest itself in relationships?

Respect yourself

Respectful relationships start with self-respect. He who does not respect himself attracts a partner who will not respect him either. Respecting yourself means being aware of your feelings, emotions, desires, limits - and living according to them. Don't pretend to be someone else. Don't lose your personality. Don't give up on your dreams.

Control question: Do you adapt to him just to feel accepted?

Mutual trust

There is no room for suspicion and mistrust in a respectful relationship. The partners are open, mature and look at their beloved in the same way - as an honest and mature person who does not have actual back games.

Control question: Do you trust him?

Being able to say no and being able to accept no

Everyone who knows or has learned to respect himself has boundaries that he does not allow to be crossed. Knowing how to communicate about your boundaries is essential for both your health and the health of your relationship. There is no reason to become a thorn in the wind that you can bend as you please. Again, you should accept his no, and not selfishly impose your wishes. It is a matter of respect and also of love.

If your no is rejected or ignored - it is worth thinking about whether you need this relationship. What do they give you?

Control question: Can you say no?

Know how to listen and be heard

Emotional intelligence is a quality that theoretically everyone should possess. But emotional intelligence is often lacking - inability to listen to the partner, unwillingness to go deeper, rejection of his emotions, whining... Everyone in a relationship wants to be heard, accepted and understood. Also, we each have to practice listening to our partner without reproaches or resentment. To listen with understanding and acceptance. Empathy in relationships starts with yourself - do I accept myself? If you accept and know yourself, you will also know how to listen to your partner - for real.

Control question: Do you tend to be interested in how he feels?

To talk about your feelings honestly

Relationship communication is successful if you are open and honest. This does not mean that you have to tell every little thing that has happened in your life and every thought that has been experienced. But this means not to hide, not to pretend, not to make people guess. Share honestly how you feel and what caused it. This is the way to the solution. Besides, there is no point in pretending. Where does pretending lead?

Control question: Do you hold a grudge?

Respect the different

Your opinions may differ, and that's perfectly normal. A healthy relationship is when you continue to be individuals instead of merging into each other in an emotionally unhealthy formation of conformation based on pleasing and becoming.

Also, sometimes the love languages in a couple are different - someone feels loved when you spend quality time together, for someone else caresses, touches, kisses are important even during the daily run, for someone else - compliments. Find out what your partner's love language is and support him in it. Gives him what makes him feel appreciated and loved. Do not impose your way of expressing love as the only and correct one. Tell him what makes you feel loved. He doesn't have to guess.

Listen to the other's point of view as an interesting phenomenon and respect it. How diverse the world is, how many facets it has! Criticizing your partner for his different vision, ideas, interests is absolutely unacceptable.

Control question: How do you react to his different opinion?

Give space

Especially in the early stages of a relationship, you want to be with your loved one as often as possible. But you also need your own space of time in which to spend time with yourself, to feel yourself and to give your partner the opportunity to be individual as well.

Even in long-term relationships, time alone or in your hobbies is necessary. It is as natural and necessary as taking a shower.

The time a couple spends together is wonderful. In it we grow, love, express love, enjoy together and share. But spending all the time together is not what will be good for you.

The need for alone time can vary - one person needs it less, the other more. If your loved one wants to spend time with friends, where there will be guys' conversations - do not try to deny him this opportunity! If you want to travel alone for a week - don't blame yourself for it, but do it! Respect everyone's individual needs. Private emotional space is about strengthening relationships, not the other way around.

Control questions: Do you accept his desire for time to yourself? Do you take time off when you are alone?

Apologize with ease

Admitting that you were wrong is one of the most difficult tasks for the ego. It's hard to say - I'm sorry - if it's hard to admit your mistake even to yourself. But if you try to apologize with ease, assuming that everyone makes mistakes and this time I was wrong? You will see how much breaking this barrier will make your relationship easier.

Control question: How do you feel about apologizing?

Author of the article: Ieva Simanoviča

Photo: Emily Arwine Photography, Kenny Marshal Photography