4 Signs You’re in a Strong Relationship When people see romantic relationships through the lens of television or the silver screen, they usually get the wrong idea. These fantasies don’t reflect what real, long-term relationships are like. So, the beginning of a relationship can be very similar to what you see in the movies. However, the ones that last the longest tend to be more “real” as they go along.
In a real relationship, it’s not always rainbows and butterflies. But you’ll both always be able to count on each other. A real, long-term relationship built on true love can withstand life’s ups and downs. Both people usually come out stronger and feel closer to each other than before.
1. You both are comfortable spending time apart
After some time together, you may miss your alone time, where you spend a few hours in nature, read your favorite books, or take yoga classes. At the beginning of a relationship, you naturally want to spend as much time with the person as possible. This feeling occurs because everything around you seems fresh and new, and you love the person you are with.
Sure, after a few months, you still feel the same way about your boyfriend or girlfriend. However, you may crave a break from them now and then to continue your personal growth.
Research shows that once a relationship becomes stale, people begin to forget why they are in the relationship and try to find a way out of the relationship to feel that initial spark rekindled with someone new. To prevent this from happening, it is important to spend time with friends or alone to keep the spark alive in the relationship. Therefore, it is helpful to schedule time apart.
If you can do this in your relationship without feeling abandoned or feeling like you can’t trust your partner with the way he or she spends time away from you, you are most likely in a real relationship that has serious long-term potential.
2. You have similar life values
In the “talking” phase of your relationship, you probably talked to your partner about your hobbies, interests, favorite childhood memories, and what your family is like. Sharing these things with your partner helps them learn a little about you as a person and likely sets the stage for a second date.
Somewhere down the line, you’ll probably want to get to know them on a deeper level and gain insight into their core values. If you both have very different interests and passions but connect on a deeper, spiritual level, you’ll have a better chance of establishing a lasting connection than two people who don’t share the same values. In other words, your lifestyle should match the way your partner sees their life.
If you both have the same views on how to handle finances, how to raise children, where to live, have similar spiritual practices, and have the same general outlook on life, you will likely be able to maintain the relationship in the long run.
The main thing to note is that hobbies and interests change, while core values and beliefs usually don’t. Having commonalities is key to keeping a relationship on track, according to research conducted at Michigan State University.
3. You cope with problems effectively.
In both relationships and life, problems inevitably arise. You must learn to deal with them. Learning to find solutions together can strengthen your relationship—and keep it healthy. Knowing that you can problem-solve as a team and discuss issues to solve a problem makes for happier, more lasting relationships.
If you both have similar problem-solving strategies and can get through life’s trials as well as their triumphs, this type of compatibility sets the stage for a serious relationship.
The ability to see things from each other’s perspective and respect each other’s opinions while still finding compromise when needed makes the relationship much easier. Most relationships end due to differences in how to handle financial issues or an inability to communicate with each other. But the sign of a long-lasting relationship is the ability to weather life’s storms together.
A couple married for 75 years said the key to making a relationship last is communication, even if it’s just about how to solve a problem. Whatever your problem-solving style, you and your partner should be able to resolve problems quickly and easily.
Without unnecessary conflict, you have a chance to make things work in the future. According to Dr. Preston Nee, “Successful couples can resolve issues and let them go.”
4. You can communicate openly
To make a relationship last longer, it’s important to be able to talk openly about emotions, problems, and ideas without feeling judged or misunderstood. According to psychologist and relationship expert Meredith Hansen, all strong relationships have three things in common: trust, commitment, and vulnerability.
Open communication certainly involves vulnerability and a commitment to understanding your partner’s needs. Plus, healthy communication is usually a key ingredient in the recipe for a long-term relationship.
If you both continue to talk, even after the first few months of the relationship, you will probably be able to continue communicating for many years. Do you feel that you can talk to your partner about any topic? Then the relationship can last a long time. Communication is one of the most important elements of a long-term relationship.
