Adrian Volenik
Empathy in relationships is very important, and it’s often the glue that holds people together. It’s the ability to understand and truly get someone’s feelings and the situations that caused them.
Does it seem that your partner cares as much about your well-being as they care about their own? Or even more?
Let’s explore together 11 signs you’re in a relationship with a deeply empathetic partner.
1) They have a WiFi connection to your mind
Is your partner’s intuition so strong you no longer have to explain what happened?
For example, you’re coming home from work, and as you walk through the front door, your partner notices your body language and senses your mood.
They respond to your body language, leaving you amazed and wondering if they actually have a direct WiFi connection to your brain.
It’s like they forecast what you feel as soon as they see you. They come armed with a snack when they sense a “hangry” front moving in, or they might suggest a relaxing evening when they detect a storm of stress brewing.
If this ever happened to you, then your partner is a very empathetic person who observes and grasps your emotions even if you haven’t stated them.
Their answers bring comfort and relief as if they’ve read your mind and offered precisely what you needed (that freshly baked apple tart and ice cream feel like the satisfying click of puzzle pieces fitting perfectly together).
2) They listen to you actively
An empathetic partner is a partner who actively listens and gives their full attention when the other side is speaking.
They’re actually interested in what you have to say and even ask relevant questions.
And if you’re feeling down after a really tough day, your partner sits down with you to talk about it. Their face and their body are listening, and their phone is down.
They create a space for you to share your feelings without a rush and are here for you.
This brings me to the next sign of a deeply empathetic partner.
3) They’re present and offer emotional support
I’m sure some of you, at some point, lost someone important in your life, and were left feeling overwhelmed with sadness and loss.
But if you had a deeply empathetic partner to care for you in times of need, you’re okay now.
Their empathy magic is noticing your distress, and they put away distractions such as a phone or a book and focus on engaging with you. In other words, they make you feel valued and important.
But even in normal and happy times, they love holding your hand, allowing you to lean on them for comfort.
They check on you, and make sure you’re eating and drinking enough water. It’s the little things like these that show they truly care.
4) They’re an animal whisperer
Your partner seems to have a connection with animals that always leaves you surprised.
You’re an animal person too, but no stray dogs approach you the same way they approach your partner. The same goes for dogs behind neighbors’ fences.
It’s like unleashing the beasts when you walk by them. But it doesn’t happen to your partner.
It’s like they’re noticing their body language, and their initial contact offers calmness to the animal.
After initial hand sniffing, dogs immediately offer their chin and back to scratch on and wait for that treat your partner somehow always finds in their packet.
Their actions show empathy for the animals by observing body language, offering gentle touch, and being sensitive to their feelings.
There’s definitely some animal-whispering wizardry there.
5) They have a non-judgmental attitude
Have you ever been passionate about a hobby that seems a bit strange to others but not your partner? Are you a vintage soda can collector, and your partner finds it great and amusing?
A deeply empathetic partner shows genuine interest in your hobbies, and they want to know why it means so much to you. Instead of showing disbelief, they aren’t judgmental and want to learn more.
They don’t rush to judge and criticize your actions, feelings, and thoughts.
They even share their own hobbies they’re passionate about, making you feel like your hobby is no different than their own.
What a great way to show empathy!
6) They feel for fictional characters
An empathetic partner doesn’t show their support and compassion just to you. They show it toward friends, family, and even fictional characters in the movie you’re watching.
Watching a movie with them is always so interesting because you notice your partner’s emotional investment in fictional characters.
They cry when their favorite character is in distress and express genuine joy at their triumphs, treating them like real-life friends.
You also often talk to them days after movie night about that particular character’s journey and how it relates to real-life situations, which shows even more how empathetic your partner is.
7) They help with problem-solving
They also often help with small suggestions and solutions when we need them the most because they feel our trouble and really want to help.
When we’re facing a challenge at work that we have struggled with for some time now, their approach to the problem can give some possible solutions to our problem.
They listen carefully, see the challenge from a different perspective, and offer brainstorming sessions to come to possible solutions.
They also listen to your feedback and how these can contribute to problem-solving.
8) They’re a movie mind reader
It’s Friday evening and time to choose a movie. Again your partner chose the perfect film to match your mood and feelings. It’s like they have a sixth sense of your emotional state.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, they suggest an old classic. If you feel down, they put a heartwarming film that would lift even Charlie Brown’s spirits.
They emotionally engage with us, and anticipate our intentions without communication, at least not verbal. They simply respond to what we feel and take action.
This is how movie mind readers demonstrate empathy, always in tune with our vibe.
9) They remember details about you
While enjoying your meal, your partner brings up a conversation you had a few months ago about your dream vacation destination. They remember everything you said to a T.
And it’s not just that. It’s the simple everyday things. Favorite toppings on the pancake, the book you wanted to read, and even that lovely small soap you liked in a funky artisan shop a while back.
You’re constantly surprised and touched by how much your partner remembers the details you shared in a conversation.
These thoughtful gestures show empathy and how much they want to understand and connect with you.
When your partner remembers things you’ve shared in the past, it proves they care about you, your wishes and desires, and pay attention to what you say.
10) They express vulnerability
Brené Brown states that “Vulnerability is the core, the heart, the center of meaningful human experiences.”
It’s closely tied to empathy, as without vulnerability, we can’t access our own desires, fears, and overall experience that allow us to be empathic.
But with it, we build empathy and become more understanding.
If your partner is comfortable sharing their fear of failure, fear of disappointing others, and making the right choices, they’re reflecting vulnerability. And that opens the path to more empathy.
As a result, we show understanding and validate their feelings, and in the end, we have mutual support.
11) They are emergency comedian
Sometimes, a bit of humor can brighten even the most challenging days. Not every difficult situation requires an emergency comedian. Still, your partner knows when to pull that one out of their sleeve.
They know you have a soft spot for silly dad jokes and that you’ll burst into laughter before the joke even ends.
They somehow just know you needed a good laugh.
Ultimately, through humor, they contribute to improving your mood and overall well-being.
Final thoughts
Being in a relationship with a deeply empathetic partner means we can learn so much from them. It helps us put in the work to become more empathic individuals ourselves.
It’s a great skill that can help us deeply connect to other people and understand their points of view, which ultimately leads us to become better people.
If these signs show how empathetic your partner is, or you even recognized yourself in some of them, you’re a great bunch to be around.
