Kiran Athar
Building a strong relationship doesn’t happen overnight. It also doesn’t happen without hard work and commitment!
But if you do the following things, there’s a good chance your relationship is rock solid.
And if it isn’t? Take some inspiration from this article to turn things around!
Let’s jump in:
1) You talk openly and honestly
We all know that communication is a pillar of healthy relationships. Yet, it’s easy to forget that when life gets tough and the last thing you want to do is bring up small issues with your partner after a long day at work!
That’s why if you push past the discomfort and talk about everything and anything, no matter how small, your relationship is rock solid.
You see, what starts as a small issue swept under the rug can quickly fester and turn into something irreparable.
So never get lazy when it comes to talking to each other. Never stop listening to each other. And importantly, never assume.
You may know your partner very well, but assumptions can be wrong and they can be detrimental to relationships!
2) You compromise
Next up on things that show your relationship is as solid as they come is compromise.
Just like communication, this is key if you want a healthy, happy relationship.
And think about it – compromise is nothing more than factoring in your partner’s wants and needs, and finding the middle ground so both of you are happy.
So, if you meet halfway when it comes to holidays, in-laws, and who gets the last slice of cake, it sounds like you’re on the right track!
Ultimately, I believe couples compromise when they care about each other’s happiness.
I’d never feel good about disregarding something my partner wants just to cater to my own happiness. It’s all about being considerate and of course, kind.
3) You respect each other’s boundaries
Picture this:
Your partner gets home from work and is in a bad mood. You want to be there for them, but they ask for space.
Do you:
A: Accept that they need some time alone and leave them to it until they’re ready to talk.
Or,
B: Ignore their request. You know them best. So you keep asking them what’s wrong until they finally give in.
If you answered A, it’s a sign you respect your partner’s boundaries and wishes. And when you respect their boundaries, you’re respecting THEM.
And that’s the most important part.
You’ve put aside your own feelings and honored their wishes. If both of you do this for each other, I’d be feeling pretty confident about your relationship if I was you!
4) You have fun together
But look, relationships aren’t only about compromise, respect, and communication.
They’re also about enjoying each other’s company and having fun!
Even if you’ve been together for 30 years, if you can make each other laugh, it sounds like your relationship is in good shape.
And hey, that’s not easy to achieve in today’s fast-paced world. God knows we’ve all got enough stress on our plates. It’s easy to let the fun part of a relationship slide.
So, stick at it. Never stop making an effort to make each other smile. And don’t let work, family, and bills stop you from being spontaneous!
5) You encourage each other to grow
But when you’re not having fun, you should be working towards being your best selves.
And if you do it together, even better!
There’s never an age when we stop learning or developing. And although many people think you need to do this BEFORE getting into a relationship, I disagree.
Personally, my self-development started after getting into my relationship. And my partner has been an incredibly supportive force in it all.
Not only that but he’s learned about himself in the process too. This has sparked him to take his own journey into self-development.
Ultimately, we’re both cheering each other on.
And if it’s the same in your relationship, congratulations! You’ve not just got a girlfriend, boyfriend, or spouse. You’ve got a partner for life.
6) You solve conflicts together
Now, another thing that signals your relationship is rock solid is if you’re able to effectively work through conflict – together.
There’s no blaming each other.
There’s no giving the cold shoulder for three days.
And there certainly aren’t any threats or ultimatums being handed out.
You see, if you guys are able to see the problem as something separate, an issue to tackle together rather than turn on each other, it sounds like you’re both mature enough to make this work.
Because let’s be honest – half of the reasons why people break up is because one or both are too proud or too stubborn to back down.
And the issues are usually easy to hash out if only both people could calmly sit down and work through them.
So going back to my first point – never stop talking! This is the way to get through conflict and everything else the world will throw at you.
7) You help each other out
Do you often go out of your way to help your partner out (and vice versa)?
Even something small like posting their package or bringing home their favorite takeout when you know they’re too tired to cook makes a big difference.
In fact, it’s the difference between a relationship that fizzles out and one that stands the test of time.
You see, we’re all great at going above and beyond during the honeymoon phase of a relationship. But very quickly, we get comfortable and relaxed.
We take each other for granted. And that’s when things break down!
So, if you both show love and care by helping each other out, your relationship is certainly rock solid!
8) You work at your sex life
Now for something a bit juicier – how’s your sex life?
Be honest, do you make an effort? Or could it be improved?
Look, no two couples are the same. So I’m not going to sit here and say you should be having sex three times a week to be a rock-solid couple.
What I will say, though, is that if you both make time for intimacy, you’re on the right track. Whether that’s once a week or twice a month. It’s gotta be what’s right for you both.
The point is, you don’t leave it for months. You make an active effort to keep seducing each other and having fun in the bedroom.
After all, sex is a very important part of relationships. It provides comfort, pleasure, and a sense of security and safety. Every time you experience all of that, you’re reinforcing the bond you share!
9) You reevaluate your goals
Do you remember when you first met your partner, how you’d stay up for hours discussing your dreams and goals?
Well, if you still discuss this with each other, it sounds like you’re a rock-solid couple. Let me explain why:
As time goes on, it’s not unusual to stop checking in with each other. You both settle into jobs and you assume that this is now your life.
But later down the line, one (or both) of you may start feeling restless for a different life, a different goal to work towards. People aren’t static – we’re always changing.
For example – my friend and her husband agreed not to have kids before they got married. She was happy. Until a few years later when he left her.
Turns out, he had changed his mind. He did want kids. But he never communicated it with her. She actually confessed to me that if she’d known, she might have considered it.
I’ve always wondered what could have been if they’d just kept checking in with each other.
10) You spend quality time together
And finally, if you go out of your way to spend quality time together, your relationship isn’t just rock solid, it’s indestructible!
This shows just how much you enjoy being together. You aren’t just going through the motions or staying together out of comfort.
You actually want to be with each other, and you’re willing to sacrifice other things to make it happen.
Because the truth is, it can be hard to find time to do meaningful activities together. After a week of working, most of us just want a quiet weekend to recharge our batteries.
But in a relationship, quality time is essential. So give yourselves a pat on the back if you manage to fit it in!
