12 signs you’re in a relationship with a genuinely supportive partner

One of the best things in life is to discover your other half, that special someone who effortlessly completes your sentences, stands by your side through the twists and turns, and laughs at your jokes no matter how corny they are.

This person – who’s with you in sickness and in health – supports you with all your aspirations.

Genuine support doesn’t always come in the form of grand gestures or whirlwind romance.

Instead, it’s in the small acts of kindness, the deep respect for your individuality, and the unwavering encouragement.

In this article, we’ll navigate the signs that show you’re in a relationship with someone who loves you not just for who you are, but for who you’re becoming.

1) They Trust You

Unequivocal trust is the bedrock of any meaningful, long-lasting relationship.

It’s not just about avoiding green-eyed jealousy, but rather it’s something much deeper – trust is earned and given gradually as your relationship deepens and lengthens.

It’s also mirrored. Your partner trusts you because you’ve proven to them that you’re trustworthy.

In the same vein, your partner also trusts in your potential, even during the times when you doubt yourself.

On days when you’re unsure about your life decisions or a certain task you did that day, your partner acts as your very own personal cheerleader. They constantly cheer you on, no matter what.

2) They Know How to Communicate

A genuinely supportive partner is not just a good talker but also an excellent listener. They don’t care about winning arguments.

They have a “you-and-me against the issue” mentality, not you against each other.

This means that they make the effort to understand your perspective and try to find common ground.

They won’t test you nor will they expect that you’re a mind reader. They remain transparent with their feelings and thoughts.

Think about those moments when you and your partner disagreed on something. Did they give you the silent treatment?

Did they slam the door close or let resentment fester? Or did they approach the issue with empathy, understanding, and active resolution?

Keep in mind that good communication isn’t just about the big arguments.

It’s also evident in everyday conversations – the small affirmations, the playful banter, and deciding who does the dishes.

3) They Make Time For You

Time is something you can always give but never get back.

So if you notice your partner making time for you, know that they’re serious about you; they want your relationship to work.

This doesn’t mean spending every waking moment together.

It means consciously dedicating quality time – from shared dinners after a long day of work, the lazy mornings, or the small win celebrations.

Allow me to flex my relationship here. Making time isn’t always about the good times. It also means being there for each other during moments of hardship.

Whenever my partner or I receive some bad news, the other person will always lend a listening ear and stay up just so that no one feels alone. We’re each other’s person, in sunshine and in storm.

4) They Feel Like Your Safe Space

When you have a genuinely supportive partner, you’ll feel an undeniable sense of safety and security – in a physical, emotional, and mental sense.

They’re your sanctuary, your haven. Whenever you’re around them, you feel safe to let your guard down, be vulnerable, and most importantly, be yourself.

They never belittle or invalidate you.

If you’re talking about a stressful day, your struggles with overthinking or anxiety, or perhaps your excitement over something seemingly mundane, they’re always there to share the weight with you.

You never have to worry about being judged. With them, you’re not just heard, you feel seen and listened to.

5) They Know How to Apologize and Take Accountability

Nobody’s perfect (if you think overwise, you may want to take a step back from your relationship and evaluate yourself first).

However, when you have a supportive partner, they’ll accept you for all your imperfections, and be gracious towards you when you’ve made a mistake.

They give you the space to apologize, learn, and grow.

But the same goes for them; they don’t let their pride take over when they’ve done something wrong.

There’s no pretense, no diversion, and no shifted blame for their actions. They own up to them.

They don’t apologize just for the sake of a band-aid solution, but rather they follow-through with their commitment to do better.

Rest assured they don’t use apologies as a free pass to repeat mistakes. They see a “sorry” as a promise.

6) They Pay Attention to the Little Things

A genuinely supportive significant other knows that unconditional love isn’t about grand gestures, although it won’t hurt to do one every now and then.

More often, it’s the little things that matter most – the small, almost insignificant details that add up and become something beautiful, may that be a feeling or a memory both of you will cherish until your hair turns gray.

This is a trait I love about the people I choose to keep in my life. They really do notice the small details.

They know my go-to coffee house order; they remember why my favorite number is seven; they notice when I’ve gotten a haircut or if I’m unusually quiet.

They catch subtle notes that might otherwise be lost in the noise of everyday life and superficial relationships.

7) They Push You to Reach for the Stars

It goes without saying that a person who’s supportive of your endeavors gives you a nudge when you need it.

They encourage you, boost your confidence, and remind you of your capabilities.

They applaud your success, even if it was a simple attempt like applying for a promotion at work or saying hello to a stranger.

Their constructive feedback matters to you because you know they do it to lift you up rather than bring you down.

The thing is, they don’t just push you towards your professional goals. They also remind you about your personal growth.

If they’ve noticed that you’re going off-track and tend to put your hobbies on the backburner, they’ll find a way to bring you back to the things that spark a fire in you.

They might even join you in some activities – may that be painting, upskilling, running a marathon, and whatnot.

8) They Don’t Make Everything About Them

A genuinely supportive partner is mindful of your needs, feels, and presence in the relationship.

They make sure that both your voices are heard and respected.

As much as possible, they don’t want to hog the spotlight for far too long that it risks the other person feeling unseen.

They step back to give you the space to express and be yourself.

Consider how often your partner asks about your day, your feelings, and your opinions.

Instead of assuming what you’re thinking, they respect you enough to ask about what you think.

For instance, when planning dates, do they always get their way? Are they always imposing their preferences?

If not, you’ve got a good person in your life.

9) They’re Not Selfish With Compliments

Your partner seems to be a never-ending source of genuine compliments.

They always find a way to acknowledge your efforts and express their admiration of you.

They don’t hesitate to voice out their praises.

The best part is that they don’t just compliment your physical appearance; they love the way you laugh, your intelligence, your kindness, your strength, and so much more.

I try to do the same thing to my partner, my friends, and my family.

I make sure that they know that I believe in them – that I see their worth and I hope they see it, too.

What’s funny is that if I get a chance to talk about my loved ones to other people, I’ll grab that moment immediately and express how proud I am.

Compliments are my way of saying, “I see you, I appreciate you for who you are, and I’m beyond proud of you.”

10) They Laugh at Your Jokes – Even If It’s Corny

Let’s face it – not all of us were born to be stand-up comedians, but it would be nice to have a partner who appreciates your sense of humor, even if it’s quirky or different from theirs.

They don’t just laugh at your jokes out of courtesy, but because they either find you or the joke itself amusing.

If you need some reassurance, remember that their laughter implies that they’re comfortable with you, so that’s a win in my book.

11) You’re Not Scared to Talk About Your Feelings

With a supportive partner, you’ll find that expressing yourself becomes much easier and less intimidating.

They never fail to remind you that your feelings are valid and should be acknowledged.

In fact, they encourage you to not suppress yourself to reinforce the idea that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but a step towards understanding and an emotionally mature relationship.

12) Both of You Honor Boundaries

When both of you in the relationship respect each other’s boundaries, this means that you understand that these are necessary for personal space and mental peace.

Not everyone has the same threshold and limits.

Learning the other’s boundaries takes some time to learn and grasp.

In my long-term relationship, there were some boundaries that we only learned about the other person – and sometimes even about ourselves – a year down the line.

As individuals grow and evolve, so do your needs, perspectives, and comfort zones.

These changes are not signs of growing apart or falling out of love. Rather, they reflect the natural, healthy evolution of a happy relationship.