12 things empowered women do differently in relationships 

In recent times, we’ve begun to reshape our understanding of relationships. And in this transformation, one figure stands tall: the empowered woman. 

Gone are the days of shrinking violets and damsels in distress; today’s woman takes charge of her life, her career, and yes, her relationships! 

Empowered women approach relationships differently, drawing upon confidence that comes from a place of self-assurance and self-respect. 

So, what are their secrets? Here are 12 things empowered women do differently in relationships:

1) They put self-care first 

Empowered women are empowered because they know how to look after themselves. 

Of course, they also pour love and care into their relationships, but one mistake they don’t make is sacrificing themselves in the process. 

Just as the common advice dished out on airlines states: “Put your own oxygen mask on before helping others”…These women know that to show up for the people in their lives, they need to be healthy themselves first! 

2) They have strong boundaries

And part of their self-care includes setting strong, healthy boundaries. 

In a relationship, this might look like expecting respect during conflict or asking for personal space. 

Empowered women know how important downtime is, and as much as they enjoy spending time with their partners, they also enjoy solitude too! 

But that’s not all…

These women respect their partner’s boundaries too. 

You see, for a relationship to flourish, both partners need to feel respected and valued. And the way to achieve that is to have healthy limits in place, as well as clear communication. 

That leads me to the next point: 

3) They express their emotions clearly 

Here’s a little scenario, work out who is the empowered woman in this situation:

Woman A when confronted with an issue in her relationship: 

“I can’t believe you’ve done this again. How many times do I need to tell you? I’m over this. If you don’t change, don’t bother calling me again.” 

Woman B when confronted with an issue in her relationship:

“This isn’t the first time we’ve had this issue. Perhaps we need to take a different approach to work this out and move forward. This situation makes me feel unheard and unsupported. Let’s sit down and find a resolution together.” 

I think it’s pretty clear which woman comes out on top here. Empowered women express their emotions clearly because they know that one of the fundamentals of a successful relationship is communication! 

No making threats, ultimatums, or throwing hissy fits. 

4) They have hobbies and passions outside the relationship

 Now, another important thing empowered women do differently in relationships is maintain their own interests. 

It’s really easy to forget yourself when you’re busy with your partner all the time. And sure, this might be okay at the start of a relationship, but later down the line, you can feel like you’ve lost your identity. 

That’s why empowered women take an interest in their partner’s hobbies, but also make time for their own!

Whether that’s going for a run a few times a week, pottery classes, or upcycling furniture – these women know the importance of keeping their individuality.

5) They share the responsibilities equally 

I’d consider myself an empowered woman. My mom, on the other hand, isn’t. She’s from another generation and culture – women voicing their wants and needs was unheard of. 

So, in her marriage, she does all the domestic work as well as holds down a job. Over the years, her resentment towards my dad became obvious. It’s not that he won’t help her, it’s that she doesn’t have the confidence to ask. 

In my relationship? 

We both work, so we both split the responsibilities and chores equally! 

This way neither of us feels resentment toward the other. We actually get things done quicker so we have more free time to enjoy life. 

This was a requirement of mine when we moved in together and man, it’s been a game-changer! 

6) They’re financially independent 

Empowered women know that to be self-reliant and independent, they need to have their own source of income. 

That’s not to look down on women who don’t work or stay-at-home moms. 

Empowered women know when to take a break and lean on their partners too. 

But ultimately, they know that having their own money means the freedom to do what they want, without having to ask someone else every time they want to do something! 

It also means that when relationships break down, these women aren’t left feeling stuck. They can start over fresh, using their hard-earned money and falling back on the confidence being self-reliant brings. 

7) They only engage in constructive conflict 

We spoke a little bit earlier about clear communication, so now let’s see how empowered women engage in constructive conflict…

For a start, they won’t accept abuse. If their partner starts:

• Screaming and shouting 
• Hurling swear words and nasty remarks 
• Making threats or giving the cold shoulder 

An empowered woman will likely walk away. Ultimately, they want someone who can maturely deal with conflict, just as they do! 

And when faced with an argument, empowered women don’t shy away. They think carefully about how to resolve the issue WITH their partner. 

In other words, they’ll never sweep issues under the rug and leave them there to fester. They deal with their problems as they know conflict is a part of every relationship! 

8) They praise their partner’s success 

Another thing empowered women do differently in relationships is big up their partner’s successes. 

They don’t feel resentful, jealous, or threatened. 

In fact, they will do everything in their power to support and uplift the men in their lives!

Why is this so?

Well, empowered women feel secure within themselves. And when you feel confident in your own abilities, you don’t fear the success of others. 

So, when it comes to their partner taking on a new job or being promoted, they’re all for it! 

9) They make decisions together 

I know of relationships where the woman calls all the shots. I also know of relationships where the man is totally in control.

Neither of these scenarios is healthy though, and empowered women know this! 

That’s why they cultivate relationships where both feel heard and valued. Where both people can put their ideas forward in a safe space, free from ridicule or judgment. 

And it’s not rocket science…

When both make decisions together, their bond and respect levels increase tenfold! It’s a sign of teamwork and partnership. 

10) They continuously learn and grow 

Ever heard the expression, “This is just the way I am. Like it or lump it.” 

You’ll probably never hear an empowered woman utter this line. 

Because they never stop working on themselves. Perfection isn’t a word in their dictionary. 

These women value self-development and rather than accept their flaws and expect everyone around them to do the same, they actively work to be better people. 

But here’s the catch:

They expect the same from their partners. They don’t want a man who stays stuck in his bad habits, they want someone they can grow with.

11) They maintain a strong support network

 Have you noticed how some friends get into a relationship and seem to fall off the face of the earth? 

Well, these friends aren’t the empowered women in your life, that’s for sure!

That’s because empowered women keep their social circles strong, no matter how loved up they are with their men. 

They know that it’s important to have external support outside of the relationship. 

That’s why they make the effort to catch up with friends and family regularly. This is another form of keeping their individuality and independence in the relationship. 

12) They don’t let their partners hold them back 

And finally, you’ll be pressed to find an empowered woman who lets her partner stop her from achieving her goals. 

If a man does stifle her, she’ll know he isn’t the right one. 

Just as I mentioned earlier – empowered women praise and support their partner’s ambitions and goals, and they expect the same treatment in return! 

But let’s be honest, no relationship is perfect. 

If a man has concerns or worries, an empowered woman will happily reassure him and maintain great communication. But she won’t dampen her spirit just to make someone else feel better. 

Ultimately, these women know what they want out of life. A relationship makes up a big part of that, but so do their individual goals, dreams, and needs!