WHY ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP?

 

A relationship is a special bond or friendship between two or more people. Many individuals enter into relationships for various reasons, such as forming emotional connections, sharing feelings, emotions, and experiences with someone special. It’s also about love, affection, giving and receiving care, and enjoying companionship. You might notice that many relationships need attention and understanding, highlighting the importance of education about them. While there are different kinds of relationships out there, this article focuses specifically on romantic ones, which can be either monogamous or polyamorous.

A monogamous relationship is when two people, usually a man and a woman, choose to be each other’s main emotional and sexual partners for a certain time. It’s a special commitment that often lasts for as long as they choose to stay together.

Polyamorous relationship: This is a romantic relationship where individuals have multiple simultaneous partners with the knowledge and consent of all involved. Polyamory emphasises honesty, communication, and respect among all partners.  

However, below are the three major things to consider when getting into a romantic relationship.

 

The three major things to consider when entering a relationship

Compatibility is a key factor in creating a strong, healthy, and fulfilling romantic relationship. It refers to how well two individuals can coexist and are suited to each other, playing an important role in the couple's success and happiness.

First and foremost, take a moment to consider whether you and your partner are truly compatible for a romantic relationship. Building a relationship on shared values, interests, and goals can really help lay a strong and lasting foundation.

Another crucial aspect of compatibility is having shared values and beliefs. When two people share similar moral and ethical principles, they're more likely to be on the same wavelength and understand each other better. This shared foundation helps create a sense of unity and stability in the relationship.

Interests and hobbies are also a key factor in compatibility. When two people share similar interests and hobbies, it provides common ground for them to connect and enjoy quality time together. This shared interest can help strengthen the bond between the couple and create lasting memories.

Compatibility also covers long-term goals and aspirations. When two people share similar dreams and plans for the future, they are more inclined to support and encourage each other throughout. This shared vision fosters a sense of unity and purpose within the relationship.

In conclusion, compatibility is an essential factor to consider when entering a relationship. When two people are compatible, they are more likely to have a successful and happy relationship. Effective communication, shared values, similar interests, and aligned goals all contribute to a strong foundation for a lasting and fulfilling partnership.

 

Effective communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings between individuals or groups, aimed at building, maintaining, and strengthening relationships. In every romantic relationship, effective communication is a key factor because it fosters trust and closeness. Sometimes, communication occurs but is not effective, which can weaken the relationship. For example, when one person speaks at length without allowing the other to respond or share their thoughts (Monologuing), it can harm the relationship's effectiveness.

Effective communication genuinely lies at the core of any healthy relationship. It’s the valuable process through which partners share their feelings and needs, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their bond.

Open and honest dialogue: Being able to express your feelings and needs openly and honestly is key, and doing so without the fear of judgment helps build trust.

Active listening is such a wonderful way to help your relationship grow. When partners really listen and show they understand, everything feels more connected and warmer. It’s about truly paying attention to your partner, rather than just waiting for your turn to speak. This small change can make a big difference in building trust and closeness.

Conflict resolution: Remember, a strong relationship isn’t about never disagreeing; it’s about managing disagreements constructively. Working together to find common ground and avoiding harsh or resentful behaviours keeps the connection healthy and warm. 

 

Here is an example of effective communication between two partners.

Partner A: ‘’Hey, I feel hurt when you don’t include me in your plans with friends. It makes me feel like I’m not important to you.’’

Partner B: ‘’I’m sorry, I didn’t realise that. I just don’t want to assume you’d want to join us. Can we find a way to communicate that better about social plans?’’

In this example, partner A expresses her feelings while partner B actively listens and acknowledges partner A’s feelings. And after, partner B apologises and takes responsibility. This could help both partners to understand each other’s expectations, goals, and desires from the relationship. Honest and open communication also helps build trust, resolve conflicts, etc.

Considering all the above examples and tips in effective communication helps to maintain or strengthen a healthy romantic relationship.

Respect is an important part of interpersonal relationships and self-identity to consider when getting into a romantic relationship.

It's wonderful when a self-reinforcing behaviour involves recognising and appreciating another person's worth, feelings, and perspectives. In a respectful relationship, partners genuinely honour each other's boundaries, ideas, and feelings, fostering a supportive space where both can truly be themselves.

Here are some ways to show respect in a relationship:

Be a good listener

Understand someone's point of view

Express your needs and wants directly, calmly, and respectfully

Respond promptly

Acknowledge what others do well,

Let people know you appreciate them

Respect is often a really good way to tell how healthy a relationship is. For example, the way you treat your partner during an argument can show how much respect you have for each other. When respect is missing, voices might become sharper, which could be a gentle sign that this is something to work on. Disrespect can also hurt feelings, create insecurities, and lower self-esteem for the person on the receiving end. Plus, if someone acts without consideration and it's not addressed, they might feel more confident to keep behaving that way.

When disrespectful behaviour isn't abusive, there's still hope for rebuilding trust. Both partners must be willing to put in the effort, and seeking help from a professional can be a great support. A therapist or counsellor can offer an unbiased perspective and share helpful coping strategies, trust-building exercises, and ways to improve communication. Showing respect to someone means appreciating their abilities and worth, valuing their feelings and perspectives- even if you don't always see eye to eye. It's about treating them as equals and giving them the same kindness and consideration you'd want for yourself.

Overall, the aforementioned three points constitute the crucial factors to consider when entering into a romantic relationship. Moreover, incorporating these factors into your daily routine will facilitate the development of a robust and healthy romantic relationship.