Relationships aren’t easy for anyone, but some women seem to navigate the turbulence of love with grace and dignity…and they never stray from their values!
So, what is it that they do differently from the rest of us? How is it that they cultivate healthy relationships without sacrificing themselves in the process?
Read on to find out!
In this article, we’ll be covering 12 things strong women do differently in relationships. Let’s start with the most important point:
1) They don’t compromise on their boundaries
Strong women know who they are and how they want to be treated.
So it’s no surprise that they set strong boundaries in their relationships! They have self-respect and prioritize their well-being above all else.
No matter how loved up they are, they will not budge if something means a lot to them. They know the importance of protecting their mental, emotional, and physical energy.
And the truth is, a good guy would respect their limits. And if he doesn’t?
Strong women know that it’s time to walk away!
2) They respect their partner’s boundaries
As well as having their own strong boundaries, strong women also respect the limits of their partners!
They recognize the importance that having boundaries has on a relationship, and they know the damage that can follow if one of these personal limits is crossed.
In fact, strong women struggle with men who lack boundaries – they want a partner who is equal and can hold their own.
Put simply:
They want a partner who has self-respect!
3) They know what they want and are clear about it
Now, as well as being clear about their boundaries, strong women also know what they want out of:
- Their relationship
- Their personal life
- Their career
And their future!
So, don’t expect strong women to put up with wishy-washy behavior or men who aren’t ready to commit.
When strong women make up their minds about something, they go for it. They’re not going to waste time on guys who aren’t serious!
And talking about bad behavior…
4) They don’t put up with toxic behavior
Another thing strong women do differently in relationships is refuse to put up with toxic behavior.
Unfortunately, many women don’t even recognize the red flags of a toxic man. Before too long, they’re hooked in and find it very difficult to leave.
Strong women, on the other hand, tend to notice these signs early on. This is partly down to the fact that they’re extremely self-aware and clear on what they want out of a relationship.
But it also comes down to being fiercely independent and not willing to compromise their lifestyles for men who display toxic behavior!
5) They own their emotions
There’s no denying that relationships are a rollercoaster of emotions, but one thing strong women do differently is taking ownership of their feelings.
They don’t need tiptoeing around, nor do they need validation for how they feel.
Put simply, they’re well aware of their moods and they know what their triggers are!
This means they’re able to regulate their emotions and get back on track, without relying on their partner to pick up the pieces.
6) They communicate effectively
Part of handling their own emotions includes being able to communicate effectively – this is something strong women ace at.
They don’t shy away from revealing their feelings or thoughts. They don’t avoid difficult conversations or fear upsetting their partner with truth bombs.
They actively listen to their partner and take on board their feelings, as well as being open and vulnerable with their own.
And when communication breaks down?
They seek help! Strong women know that they can’t “do it all”. So, when problems arise, they turn to professionals – in this case, Relationship Hero.
Through speaking to a professional relationship coach, strong women are able to work through their issues and put their relationships back on track.
They don’t wait for bad communication or other relationship issues to creep in and ruin things, they do what they need to do to cultivate healthy relationships!
To find out more about Relationship Hero, click here.
This commitment to communicating effectively also relates to the next point:
7) They don’t fear conflict
Ah yes – strong women certainly don’t fear rocking the boat!
They know that conflict is a natural part of every relationship, and rather than sweeping issues under the rug or running away from uncomfortable conversations, it’s better to face them head-on!
But here’s the catch:
Strong women don’t waste their time arguing round and round in circles. They want to have constructive conversations whereby both partners feel heard and understood.
Ultimately, they work towards resolving, not getting one over their partner and having the last word!
8) They don’t get jealous easily
Another thing strong women do differently in relationships is to avoid feeling jealous.
This comes down to one reason:
They have a lot of self-worth.
They know what they bring to the table, so whilst a younger, more attractive model might get picked up on their radar (they’re not blind, after all), she won’t be a cause for concern or jealousy!
And if a man does cheat?
They take it as his loss, not theirs! Strong women know that a cheater’s actions aren’t a reflection of them, it’s a reflection of him!
9) They retain their sense of independence
Now, one of the reasons strong women have such a strong sense of self-worth is that they’re also incredibly independent.
They don’t rely on a man to do things for them – especially if they can do it themselves!
But more importantly, they keep their individuality.
Yes, they share their lives with their partners, but they also keep:
- Their own friendship circles
- Their own hobbies and interests
- Their own personal time and space
- Their own career and finances
You see, when a couple gets too entwined, they can lose their sense of individuality. This can cause all sorts of issues, including codependency.
But strong women know that for a relationship to thrive, both people need to have their own lives and a bit of time apart here and there!
10) They demand an equal partnership
One thing strong women do differently in relationships is demand men who can look after themselves and contribute to the partnership – they want equality.
Not a man who wants to be mothered. Not a man who wants to control.
They want someone to grow with in life, someone who can take responsibility for themselves!
This also goes back to not putting up with toxic behavior; strong women know what they’re looking for and if a man isn’t able to keep up, they know when to say boy, bye!
11) They’re resilient during the tough times
Now, even if strong women find themselves in equal partnerships, there are still always going to be rough patches. Every relationship goes through them.
But here’s what strong women do differently:
They don’t give up.
If it’s something that can be resolved (and not a fundamental trait that they can’t live with), they’ll fight for their relationship.
The truth is…
They know that anything worth having doesn’t come easy in life.
So, if they’ve got a partner who is respectful and loving, they’ll stick around through the tough times because they know it won’t last forever!
12) They’re not afraid to walk away
And finally, strong women are not afraid to walk away from a relationship.
As we’ve covered, they’re:
- Resilient
- Self-aware
- Independent
- Emotionally intelligent
And so much more!
So when a man doesn’t fit the standards they’re looking for, or if a relationship turns toxic, they have no issues knowing when to say goodbye and part ways.
The bottom line is, strong women aren’t afraid to be alone.
They’ve got self-worth and they know that it’s better to be single than to be in an unhappy, unfulfilling relationship!