-Deva Narayan
When we talk about relationships, the word “love” often comes up. Love — in all its forms (friendship, familial, romantic) — is considered by many as the glue that holds relationships together. But there’s more to a relationship than just love. Relationships are made up of several factors and require a lot of work, time, and energy. Understanding what makes your partner feel loved can help you navigate conflict and put romance back into your relationship.
Communication
Like anything worth having, healthy relationships take work. And no one is born knowing how to do this. Effective communication is the lifeblood of any great relationship and allows you to connect on a deeper level. It’s not just about speaking, it’s about truly listening; not listening to respond, but listening to understand.
Good communication isn’t just about words, it’s about non-verbal cues and being able to really ‘get’ where your partner is coming from and vice versa. By being able to clearly express your own needs in a safe space and resolving conflicts amicably (rather than avoiding them or throwing punches low-blows which never ends well!), you are creating deeper connections by increasing understanding and negating misunderstandings.
Shared Values and Goals
Love may bring people together, but it’s shared values and goals that keep them united. Relationships flourish when both people share identical core beliefs or interests, and when they envision the same kind of future for themselves. Of course, this doesn’t mean that partners have to agree on everything, but sharing important basic values does make life easier because it means you can get on the same page more easily when it comes to making decisions or facing challenges together. Having shared values also creates a sense of unity and purpose between the two of you.
Emotional Support and Growth
Relationships are more than just being together. It’s about growing with one another too. Emotional support is an important aspect of any relationship where people lend a comforting shoulder, cheer each other on, and offer assistance during difficult or testing times. Besides that, relationships should also be an avenue for personal growth where both parties feel motivated or inspired to chase after their dreams, acquire new skills, and become better people.
Independence and Interdependence
You both understand the importance of being independent individuals. You can have time apart and trust in each other, which strengthens your bond. You know that you are already strong as an individual, but when you’re together, you’re even stronger. You value each other’s support, but at the same time you don’t want to feel like a burden and you are both comfortable being independent and balancing life with each other.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is not alien to any relationship. And hence conflict resolution becomes an important part of a successful relationship. You require a lot of patience, the ability to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, and at times some amount of sacrifice to come up with a solution that caters to both parties’ needs and wants. Look at conflict as a door that helps you understand the other person and also an avenue to help evolve yourself. When resolved constructively, such instances will only build respect for each other.
In essence, relationships are complex tapestries woven from many threads—love being just one of them. Understanding and nurturing the various aspects of a relationship—respect, communication, shared values, emotional support, independence, conflict resolution, and forgiveness—can lead to deeper, more fulfilling connections. By recognizing that relationships go beyond love, we can appreciate the full richness of human interaction and build bonds that endure through life’s many challenges and changes.
