5 Things That Are Important In Any Relationship

Relationships can be so ridiculously confusing sometimes. While there is no "ideal couple" and you should never compare your situation to somebody else's, I do think that there are some things that are important in a relationship that are pretty universal. If you're in it for the long-haul, then these things will make for a steady foundation. If you're just beginning to see someone new, keep an eye out for these signs, because without them, the relationship is pretty much already doomed from the start.

I hate to put rules on relationships. I really, really do. However, that being said, these ones are absolutely necessary. How you go about executing them is entirely up to you and your significant other, but they need to be steady and in place.

Relationships are all about respecting and caring for another human being as much as you care about yourself — or at the very least, that's what they should be about. If you always want to play the game by your rules and on your time, then you might not be ready to be in a serious relationship just yet. There's a lot you can learn from loving somebody other than yourself, and there's just as much to learn from somebody loving you unconditionally.

1. Constant Trust

I don't mean you read your partner's text messages and feel secure in the fact that your significant other is not cheating on you. I mean you have never picked up your SO's phone, and never felt the need to. I mean you have to go long distance for a few months, and the thought of your partner cheating doesn't even cross your mind. There's a difference between kind of trusting somebody, and trusting them with everything you've got.

2. Comfortable Communication

Most people know that communication is key in building a strong relationship, but sometimes it's much easier said than done. How often do we just expect our partner to know how we're feeling without saying it out loud? Too often, most likely. If something is making you upset, then you should feel comfortable verbalizing that, and if you feel uncomfortable about something, you should also be ready to speak-up about it.

3. How You Deal With Conflict

What's the answer to conflict? It's usually compromise. It's easy to get swept away into thinking that you are always right, but if you're truly in a caring, healthy relationship, you should be able to see things from your significant other's point of view. When conflict erupts (and it will), learning to deal with it in the best way possible is so crucial — whether that means taking some space from each other, sitting down and talking it out, or whatever other method works best for your relationship.

4. Independence From Each Other

Everybody has had that friend who disappears off the planet for a little while every time she starts dating somebody new. When you're in a relationship, it can be easy to get caught up in your new romance, and want to spend as much time as possible with your partner. But, strong couples realize the importance of hanging out individually as well. It's important to continue to do the things you love, even if that means spending a few hours by yourself. You never want to lose your sense of self.

5. Similar Moral & Financial Values

This is a more technical aspect of a relationship, but I can't stress how important it really is in making it last. Your moral values are at the root of who you are, and if you and your significant other butt heads on these things, it's not going to end well. Similarly, financial values is also a really big deal when it comes to long-term relationships. Not that you should put too much value on money, but if we're being honest, you gotta eat.

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