20 Essentials Of A Good Relationship

By Padmapreetham Mahalingam

Falling in love is natural. But keeping the love going requires effort. The early stages of courtship can feel exciting, lovely, and effortless but trying to retain the swept-away feeling of romance involves enduring effort and compromise by both partners. When you have just entered into a relationship, all you want to know is if you are going to have a good bond with your partner.

So what is the key to a good relationship? It is easier to find love, however keeping up a relationship needs a lot of hard work to get through the challenges. Many experts have always pointed out that any relationship works on the foundation of love, openness, honesty, patience and self-esteem.

A good relationship never happens in a day, it happens over time. We always crave for love in our life and a good relationship can make you feel the rapture and warmth that you're hankering for. Every individual might have a different view on what the key ingredient for a good relationship is. But most of us would definitely agree that the most important component in a good relationship is trust.

The most important part of keeping a relationship good and strong is to constantly find ways to make it happier and content besides just handling all the pressing problems. Evidently this also requires that couples know what a good relationship is all about. A good relationship only becomes successful when two people are able to communicate, respect each other, compromise, forgive and be supportive.

Take a look at these 20 essential factors for a good relationship that can help your bond to thrive successfully over the years.

Appreciate And Respect

Appreciate And Respect

There aren't too many people in today's world, who don't yearn for appreciation. Try to erect a foundation of appreciation and respect when you want to establish a good relationship. Give attention to what your partner says and does. A happy couple always tries to take the opportunity to say thank you to each other whenever a partner does something thoughtful rather than just pinpointing mistakes.

Honesty

Honesty

Honesty begets trust. To form a good relationship with your partner and to become emotionally connected, all you need to do is to reveal your secrets and factual experiences that you don't share with some else. It is about telling the truth to your partner so that he or she can rely on what you say, and understand your words as you try to express them directly. But it doesn't mean that you need to share things just to hurt them or for the sake of spilling out your guts. Honesty in a relationship is not to consciously give misinformation.

Exploring Interests

Exploring Interests

Try to delve into each other's interest so that you can have a long list of things to enjoy together as partners. If you want to inject a new life into your relationship, it is worth to know your potential partner's interests. Try to explore new things to develop joint interests.

Listening

Listening

Listen, listen and keep on listening more .The first step to make your bond stronger is to understand your partner and listen to them without interrupting. Nowadays in our overbooked lives listening is the biggest challenge, since we are lost in our thoughts and we hardly have time to listen to what is happening in someone else's life, but it is important to make the time to listen.

Effective Communication

Effective Communication

Communication is an important element in a relationship. If you are hesitating to open up and talk about things to your partner then you don't have a good relationship with your partner. Without proper communication many of us try to hold a feeling of resentment. Couples need to be comfortable to talk over both easy and challenging issues.

Remember To Say ‘ I love You’

Remember To Say ‘ I love You’

It may be simple three words but hearing them all the time can further cement your bond. Remember to say ‘I love you' with a lot of feeling and passion.

Speak Up

Speak Up

In a relationship, if some issue is disturbing you, it is best to talk it over with your partner than letting the surge of anger boil inside you. It is ideal to speak up instead of holding it.

Respect Each Other

Respect Each Other

Mutual respect is an essential element in a good relationship. If a relationship grows without mutual respect it is dysfunctional in many ways. Show that you have high value for your partner's feelings and wishes and are making an effort to respect them.

Compliment

Compliment

When you are running short of words or feeling twitchy to express how you feel about your partner, go an extra mile to show your compliment with a gift. Nothing sounds better than getting a gift that says I'm thinking about you.

Compatibility

Compatibility

Work on your compatibility. Falling in love is easy and spontaneous, but the love can only mature when it is based on the balance of understanding and compatibility. If there is no compatibility a relationship will start to sputter without healthy transition.

Truthful

Truthful

If you are committed in a relationship and paying attention to what your partner feels then you should never hide anything from them. If you are looking for a good relationship with your partner, then learn to be truthful with each other whether it is a niggling irritation, envious female co-worker or having a strong attraction towards your boss.

Spurn Insecurities

Spurn Insecurities

Insecurities emerge when there are doubts about your relationship. Uncertainties and doubts occur when there is miscommunication. Always remember a good relationship is based on trust and honesty.

Never Let Frustrations Crop Up

Never Let Frustrations Crop Up

Never try to make a molehill into a mountain. If something about your partner's behaviour is eating you up then learn to voice your concern to him or her. If you are never going to say it out, then overtime your frustration will slowly stock up and eventually it can turn into anger and hatred.

Never Grumble

Never Grumble

In a mutually satisfying relationship never whine or complain about your partner to anyone else even if you are provoked out of frustration.

Never Hold Grudges

Never Hold Grudges

When someone you love hurts you, learn to forgive than holding grudges. Lovers who don't try to make up can fall apart. Forgiveness is one of the greatest qualities of love and without it a relationship can fall to pieces.

Spend Quality Time

Spend Quality Time

Make an effort to spend quality time with your partner. Spend as much as time in each other's company and indulge in interesting activities like cooking and gardening, since it can bring both of you together.

Plan Date Nights

Plan Date Nights

A trip to the cinema house, sporadic shopping, or a quick meal can bring the spark in your relationship before it fizzles out. If you are looking for a long lasting good relationship, spend time together.

Respect Each Other’s Privacy

Respect Each Other’s Privacy

Just because you are looking for a good relationship, it doesn't mean you have to suffocate or intimidate each other by invading their privacy. It is not necessary to always be together and a good relationship requires and thrives on space.

Show Affection

Show Affection

Demonstrate love and affection to show your presence. Greeting, kissing and hugging are fairly acceptable parts of most relationships. Kissing and romance can keep people together.

Be Loyal

Be Loyal

As much as possible place your partner first in your life before anyone else. Make sure to let him/her know that you can be depended on if something is needed.

Make these 20 essential elements a part of your love life to maintain a good relationship.

Story first published: Monday, October 21, 2013, 15:45 [IST]