Healthy Relationships
I'm currently researching healthy relationships. I'm doing this with the intent of becoming the best man I can possibly be for my next relationship. I'm curious as to what others believe makes a healthy relationship, I'd like to hear your thoughts.
I think a healthy relationship is one where both people feel free and safe to be fully honest and open with one another. It's secure, and makes both people better, without taking anything away from the individuals as individuals. (Note, I have never been in a relationship before, this is purely based on observation and idealism).
For never having beenin a relationship RandiKira, you have a very healthy idea of one is. Thanks for sharing your perspective.
Below are links to handouts and info on this which is generally given to domestic violence advocates during their training. I hope you find them helpful in answering your question.
http://dasas.net/dating_violence/healthy_vs_unhealthy_relationships
http://beyondmeresurvival.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/dhs-datingviolence-equalitywheel_198169_7.gif
Thank you for sharing the links karen38, I'm always looking for new material to read on this subject.
This would be a good topic for a community discussion!
What is a community discussion and how would I start it?
Hi Ken! We've community discussions in the listener Chat room every Friday at 4pm EST and Mondays 2pm EST, you can join us simply by going to the chatroom (You can find it in the box where your messages show up). And we also do weekly Twitter discussions every Monday at 4pm EST, join us by answering to @7_Cups_Of_Tea tweets using the hashtag #7cupschat. We discuss different topics sharing our thoughts and opinions, it's very interesting and in my opinion a learning experience! I hope to see you in a discussion soon!
Thank you for the information Pali, I greatly appreciate it.
It would be, Laura!
As for a healthy relationship, communication is a big part. My S/Ostruggleswith that a lot so it leads to a lot of frustrating moments and tears, especially since we're long distance. So communicating your thoughts is extremely important and will lead to respect, understanding, and more.
I also think that part of being in a healthy relationship (for me at least) is receiving space and respecting boundaries. I lovelovelove talking to my S/O as often as possible, but at some point, I need to be able to put down my phone and take some time for myself to go out with friends or anything like that without my S/O getting upset or jealous. I like sharing interests and all that, but I also need to be able to do things and have some 'me' time as a result since I'm more introverted than my s/o.
I really love the website loveisrespect.org because it gives some great insight on healthy relationships. I wish I had found that when I was with my first boyfriend since that relationship was anything but healthy!
I think a healthy relationship is one where you can be yourself, no need to change anything and having respect for each other and yet helping each other grow in all aspects.
And also communication, I agree kane. You must always tell what you feel. It helps a lot
As someone who's been in a relationship for two and a half years, I definitely believe that honesty, communication, trust, patience and cooperation. There are more keys to a healthy relationship, but those are very crucial as you can build on those factors.
The key to great relationships is trust and communication. I always feel like if you both have a great amount of trust and communication then everything will all work out.