Relationship expert and clinical psychologist Dr. Kathy Nickerson has shared the four signs she’s seen that mean a relationship is going to last with “Independent.” One of them? It’s fighting! Here’s a look at all four.
- It feels easy most of the time. “What I mean by this is that it does not feel like a daily struggle or challenge to connect with your partner or get emotional support from your partner,” she explains. Even though life might be difficult and you might face personal challenges, your relationship feels safe, comfortable, and easy.”
- You fight fairly. “Couples who have healthy relationships know that the point of a fight is to communicate, not destroy each other,” she says. “They care about each other's feelings; they're careful about tone and how they phrase things. The goal of good communication is to be honest, authentic, and kind - not nasty, critical, defensive, or dismissive.”
- You care about your partner’s happiness. “The strongest couples casually track the fairness in their relationship, especially when it comes to things like household chores and choices made for the family, like what restaurant to eat at,” she explains. They strive to make sure both partners get equitable treatment.”
- You are “intentionally gentle and kind” to each other. “They are intentional about being gentle with their words and kind with their behaviors. They go out of their way to ensure their partner feels secure, valued, and loved. When their partner is hurt or upset, they drop everything to listen to them, comfort them, and support them,” she explains. ”They actively listen for their partner's feelings and they validate those feelings.”
Source: Independent
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