Jelena Dincic
Some people make it look so easy, don’t they?
When it comes to relationships, they can do no wrong. It’s like they’re born to be good at them.
And while certain people may have a natural talent for it, the truth is that everyone can learn to build healthy relationships.
You see, what sets these relationship “gurus” apart are their simple yet meaningful habits.
So, let’s take a look at what exactly it is that they do so you can learn to be better at relationships.
Here we go:
1) They’re masters of communication
The foundation of any healthy relationship is good communication.
But here’s the thing, good communication isn’t just about talking, it’s also about:
- Actively listening
- Thinking before speaking
- Validating the other person’s feelings
- Responding instead of reacting
- Being honest
- Being respectful
- Asking questions
- Being open to compromise
- Wanting to find a resolution
If you want to master the art of communication, you need to start by checking off this list.
2) They’re empaths
When you’re upset with someone, do you ever stop to think about how they might be feeling or do you dive head-first into an argument?
You see the thing about people who’re good at relationships is that they’re able to empathize with others.
It doesn’t matter whether the person is their romantic partner, friend, or co-worker, what’s important is that their feelings and opinions are taken into consideration.
Empaths are really good at putting themselves in other people’s shoes and that means they’re the kind of people we all want in our lives.
3) They respect others
I’m going to be frank with you, you can’t have a healthy relationship without respect.
Plain and simple.
So, if you want to learn to build healthy relationships, you need to learn to treat other people the way you’d want them to treat you.
That means being polite and courteous, listening to what they have to say, valuing their opinions, and respecting their boundaries.
Come on, it’s the least we can do as human beings, respect one another.
4) They’re trustworthy
Another habit of people who’re good at relationships is that they know how to keep a secret.
But that’s not all, they also look at promises as something sacred – so when they say they’re going to do something, you can bet your a** that they’re gonna deliver.
In other words, they’re people you can trust and count on.
The people in their lives know they can always rely on them – both in good and challenging times – and that’s something that gives any relationship a strong foundation.
5) They’re good at finding resolutions to conflict
I’m not going to lie, conflict is inevitable in any relationship.
But wait – it doesn’t have to be the end of the world!
The key is how the conflict is handled.
You see, people who are experts at healthy relationships don’t want to turn a small disagreement into a big fight.
They don’t want to spend ages arguing with someone they care about and they don’t want to “win”.
What they want is to find common ground and find a solution that works for both parties.
Certainly sounds like someone you’d want a relationship with right?
Do you think you could have such a healthy approach to conflict?
6) They’re open-minded
Just think of open-mindedness as the bridge to understanding and cooperation.
When someone’s open-minded, it means they’re willing to hear and understand the other person’s perspective, even if it differs from their own.
They’re not set in their ways, they’re flexible and open to change.
What’s more, they embrace diversity and always try to be inclusive.
And guess what?
This encourages empathy and respect, both key ingredients for a healthy relationship.
7) They respect boundaries
Look, boundaries are there for a reason – to make sure we treat each other with respect.
Boundaries refer to the limits, guidelines, and expectations established by two people to state what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior within their relationship.
They’re there to help create a safe space for healthy relationships to thrive.
Simply put, when you respect each other’s boundaries, you show that you value and appreciate each other’s individuality.
It’s a way of saying, “I respect your space, your needs, and your comfort zones.”
8) They forgive and let go
Did you know that holding grudges can poison a relationship?
I mean, how can you move forward in any kind of relationship if in your mind and heart you keep going over how they wronged you?
People who are skilled at building healthy relationships know how important it is to forgive and let go – and I mean actually forgive, not just say “I forgive you” while inside they still feel resentment.
It’s not like they’re saints or anything, but when a relationship is important to them, they choose not to dwell on past mistakes and grievances.
Now it’s your turn: let go and move forward with a clean slate.
9) They give people space
This is especially important in romantic relationships.
While it’s important to spend time together, it’s equally important to maintain some independence so your relationship doesn’t become a co-dependent one.
People with healthy relationships recognize the significance of personal space and independence.
They don’t cling to their partners (you can apply this to friendships as well) because they respect their need for alone time.
They also know how important it is for the other person to have interests and activities that don’t include them – that allow them to maintain their own identity.
10) They’re introspective
It turns out that one of the reasons some people make relationships look so easy is because they’re introspective and self-aware.
They take the time to reflect on their experiences and to understand their emotions, triggers, as well as needs.
You’re probably wondering, “What’s the big deal?”
Well, the big deal is that this introspection and self-awareness mean that they know what they want from the relationship and they help them be more effective at communicating.
11) They’re supportive
If you want to learn how to build healthy relationships – be it with a lover, friend, family member, or co-worker – you’re going to have to learn to be supportive.
You can’t put people down or tell them that their dreams and aspirations are silly or a waste of time.
Support their various endeavors, let them explore life, and give them space to grow.
And if they make mistakes and fail? Be there to help them get back on their feet.
12) They prioritize quality time
Lastly, if you want to develop a healthy relationship with someone, you need to spend quality time with them.
For example, a healthy relationship with your parents is going to involve more than just seeing them a couple of times a year for the holidays.
You’re gonna want to go to Sunday lunches and invite them over to your place and talk to them about what’s going on in your life.
Another example is when it comes to your romantic relationship, you need to make time for date nights, shared activities, laughter, as well as deep conversations.
Final thoughts
Remember that building healthy relationships takes effort and commitment but these 12 habits can definitely be developed over time.
It’s also important to recognize that nobody is perfect, and even people who seem to effortlessly build healthy relationships will have their challenges.
The key is to value and nurture the relationships that are meaningful to you.
