It’s easy to look at happy couples and assume their life is perfect. But contrary to popular opinion, a healthy relationships isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Like everything else in life, it’s filled with ups and downs. However, the difference between a healthy relationship and an unhealthy one lies in the day to day aspects—how you talk to and treat each other, trusting each other, and so on. So, while no two relationships are the same, there are some telltale signs all healthy ones share.
Allow me to introduce to you 8 green flags that mean you’re in a healthy relationship. These signs mean that your relationship is thriving and not just surviving. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Green Flags You’re in a Healthy Relationship:
1. You treat each other as equals
It takes two to tango, which is why a power imbalance has no place in a healthy relationship. So, if you and your partner treat each other as equals, take that as a good sign. This includes listening and talking to each other with respect, kindness and understanding, and forgiving each other when someone makes a mistake. Likewise, this also includes respecting each other’s differences.
2. You each have things for yourselves
The healthiest relationships are also ones in which both partners have lives outside of the relationship. After all, making your relationship your entire world is a big red flag, and oftentimes a warning sign of a toxic relationship. Instead, you and your partner should each have things for yourselves that you make time for, like hobbies and seeing friends and family. This shows that you’re not losing yourselves and is a huge green flag.
3. You can be yourselves together
You shouldn’t have to tiptoe around your partner and pretend to be something you’re not—that’s not what true love is. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Healthy relationships allow everyone to be their most authentic selves; you’re safe and secure in your love for one another, and you love each other exactly for who you are, quirks and all.
4. You support each other and work together
Being in a relationship means being with someone who has your back no matter what. Not only are you a team through and through, but you’re also the other one’s biggest hype man. Healthy relationships include supporting each other 100%, 100% of the time.
Furthermore, it’s also a green flag when you and your partner can work together and compromise. After all, disagreements are simply a part of life. But being able to work through those disagreements and come to a compromise you’re both happy with is always a good sign.
5. You trust each other
It’s no secret that trust is an important part of any relationship, so it’s a green flag when two people trust each other fully. This goes beyond trusting the other one to go out alone—it also includes trusting the other one enough to let yourself open up and be vulnerable.
6. You have strong communication
Communication is also another strong component of a healthy relationship. After all, being able to talk to your partner about anything and everything is crucial. Because if you can’t open up to the person you’re sharing your life with, who can you open up to? Talking about anything—no matter how big or small—is a green flag. Likewise, being able to communicate and work through any problems is also a major green flag.
7. You make time for each other
People in healthy relationships don’t take it for granted. Instead, they make time for their partner regularly because they know relationships take work; and putting it on the back burner can inadvertently make you drift apart. Setting aside time to spend together and making time for intimacy is a huge green flag. This can include doing weekly date nights, eating dinner together every night, or even scheduling sex if necessary.
8. You’re happy
Although it’s practically impossible to be happy 24/7, people in healthy relationships are still happy most of the time. This doesn’t mean you don’t get annoyed with your partner from time to time. Rather, it means that you wouldn’t change a thing even when the going gets tough because you genuinely love your life, relationship, and partner.
