If your partner displays these 13 behaviors, they’re a truly supportive person

A supportive partner isn’t just a companion but a pillar of strength, empathy, and understanding. 

They need to stand firmly by your side, uplifting you through life’s triumphs and tribulations.

To find out whether your partner is truly supportive, they need to display at least some of the following behaviors. 

1) They understand and share your feelings

When your partner understands and shares your feelings, they genuinely understand what you’re going through emotionally, and they empathize with you on a deeper level. 

In other words, they “get” you and are there for you in a meaningful way.

For me, this is especially important when I’ve had a long day at work and I’m feeling frustrated and exhausted. 

On those occasions, my wife is tuned in to my emotional needs and offers support and comfort when I need it most.

2) They believe in you

When times are tough, sometimes all we need is someone to believe in us, isn’t it? You don’t want to disappoint yourself, but you also don’t want to disappoint the person that believes in you and trusts you the most. 

When your partner believes in you, they have unwavering faith and confidence in your abilities, potential, and character. 

Their belief goes beyond simple words of encouragement. It reflects a deep conviction that you can reach your goals and overcome challenges.

So if your partner provides positive reinforcement to help you pursue your goals and dreams, they’re a genuinely supportive person.

3) They’re willing to have honest and meaningful conversations

Without honest and meaningful conversations, there is no healthy relationship, is there? 

Both partners need to express themselves openly and listen to each other’s thoughts and concerns. This means actively listening without interrupting or judging, which can be difficult for some.

But being truly supportive also means using kind and considerate language, even during disagreements. But also actively participating in conversations, asking questions, and showing interest in what you have to say. 

They don’t dominate the conversation or dismiss your opinions.

4) They treat you with dignity and value your opinions

So obviously, you want your partner to treat you with dignity and respect. They need to listen to what you have to say and take your thoughts and feelings seriously. Your opinions should also matter to them, and they need to value your input in decisions. 

But above all, they should encourage you to be yourself, support your dreams, and never put you down.

Too many relationships and marriages have broken up because one of the partners was disrespectful or worse. 

5) They’re willing to meet you halfway 

A truly supportive partner understands that a successful relationship requires mutual give-and-take.

Meeting halfway means a partner is willing to compromise and find a middle ground when you have disagreements or differing opinions.

For example, you enjoy spending time with friends and attending social events, while your partner is more introverted and prefers quieter evenings at home. 

Your partner is genuinely supportive and compromises by occasionally attending social gatherings with you. 

But you’re also supporting them and respecting their need for downtime, and choosing more intimate gatherings when possible.

6) They genuinely celebrate your successes

I can’t stress how important it is to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, no matter how big or small they are. 

A supportive partner feels genuinely happy for you when you achieve something significant and shows that your success also brings them joy.

They take pride in your accomplishments, considering them a reflection of the person they love. They may even boast about your success to others because they’re genuinely proud of you.

But celebrating your successes isn’t a one-time event. A supportive partner will consistently show interest in your achievements and encourage you to pursue future goals and dreams.

7) They’re patient 

I always underline patience as one of the most significant factors in the success of a relationship. 

When one partner isn’t patient and understanding, especially during difficult times, it can take a toll on their connection.

Sometimes, we forget that everyone experiences emotions differently. Patience means you’re respecting your partner’s emotional processes. It means not pressuring them to “get over” feelings but offering support and comfort as they work through them at their own pace.

For instance, when one of the partners has ambitious long-term goals, a patient partner stands by their side throughout the journey, encouraging and understanding them. 

They might say, “I know this is and will be challenging, but I believe in you. We’ll get through it together.”

8) They show care and concern for your well-being

Showing care and concern for your partner’s well-being is another fundamental aspect of a supportive and loving relationship

It goes beyond simple affection and involves actively looking out for your partner’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

Whenever I tell my wife I have even a minor injury or something, she starts worrying sick. I’m not going to lie, this can be annoying at times, but at least I know she deeply cares for me. 

9) They’re reliable

How reliable is your partner? Can you really count on them when you need them? Are they also consistent in their actions and support?

I really hope so. Anything else than a yes to both of these questions would be a huge red flag for your relationship.

I mean, sure, sometimes I’m not the fastest at doing things. For example, I’m the one that cleans the windows in our home, and I might have to be reminded a couple of times before I jump on the task. 

Does that mean I’m unreliable? 

I could find similar examples for my wife, too, but that doesn’t mean I can’t count on her. Far from it. 

10) They view the relationship as a team effort

A supportive partner shares common values and long-term goals with their significant other. They discuss their aspirations and dreams, aligning their ambitions to create a collective vision for their future as a team.

They work together towards common goals without ifs, buts, and maybes.

I often compare a marriage or a relationship with a sports team.

Just like in a sports team, each partner brings their unique strengths and qualities to the relationship. 

They appreciate each other’s strengths and compensate for each other’s weaknesses, creating a balanced and well-rounded partnership.

11) They love and accept you unconditionally

Loving and accepting someone unconditionally is certainly a profound declaration of care and affection that goes beyond any specific requirements or expectations.

When we truly love someone, we embrace them for who they are. We don’t try to change them “for the better.” 

A truly supportive partner accepts your flaws and imperfections without trying to change you.

But above all, when you make a wrong decision or go through challenging times, they stand by your side, offering support and encouragement instead of judgment.

For that reason, you can feel emotionally safe around them. You know you can express your true feelings and thoughts without fear of rejection or ridicule.

12) They respect your personal space 

Personal space and boundaries are also important for relationships to thrive. A supportive partner understands that everyone needs some alone time to recharge, reflect, and engage in activities they enjoy on their own. 

They don’t take it personally when their partner needs space, realizing it’s a natural part of preserving emotional balance.

But respecting personal space also means respecting your partner’s privacy. A supportive partner doesn’t invade their partner’s personal belongings, social media accounts, or private communications without permission.

13) They actively participate in finding solutions

And lastly, a supportive partner takes a proactive approach to problem-solving. Rather than avoiding issues or hoping they’ll go away on their own, they actively address concerns as they come up.

But problem-solving also requires them (and you) to be flexible and adaptable. A supportive partner will adjust their initial stance if a more effective solution appears.

And, perhaps most importantly, a supportive partner will focus on the issue at hand instead of blaming you. 

They avoid personal attacks and focus on finding constructive solutions.

Final thoughts

When you’re in a relationship with an unsupportive person, it’s easy to become frustrated and even feel helpless. You may even be tempted to throw in the towel and give up on love. 

I want to suggest doing something different. 

It’s something I learned from the world-renowned shaman Rudá Iandê. He taught me that the way to find love and intimacy is not what we have been culturally conditioned to believe. 

As Rudá explains in this mind blowing free video, many of us chase love in a toxic way because we’re not taught how to love ourselves first. 

So, if you want to start working on your relationship, I’d recommend starting with yourself first and taking Rudá’s incredible advice. 

Here’s a link to the free video once again

Adrian Volenik

Adrian has years of experience in the field of personal development and building wealth. Both physical and spiritual. He has a deep understanding of the human mind and a passion for helping people enhance their lives. Adrian loves to share practical tips and insights that can help readers achieve their personal and professional goals. He has lived in several European countries and has now settled in Portugal with his family. When he’s not writing, he enjoys going to the beach, hiking, drinking sangria, and spending time with his wife and son.

People who are lovely to be around usually have these 10 character traits

10 lessons from Albert Einstein that can change your perspective on life