Relationships — romantic and nonromantic — are a part of life. They help us feel connected and fulfilled, but they can also cause pain. Infidelity is one obvious threat to a relationship, but even healthy couples can find themselves at odds about how they communicate or disagree about important things like finances, children, or personal freedoms. If you’re in a relationship, it can be helpful to know how to spot the red flags and check whether or not it’s right for you.
Having people in our lives who support us and encourage our growth can make all the difference. Those positive relationships allow us to take risks and chase after our dreams because we know we’ll have someone cheering us on no matter what happens. In addition, research shows that people who are surrounded by other people who practice healthy behaviors (such as eating well and exercising regularly) are more likely to follow suit themselves.
While it’s often easy to get caught up in the love bubble at the beginning of a relationship, it’s important to have some honest conversations with your partner about what you want out of it in the long term. This is known as defining the relationship, or DTR, and it can be helpful to use labels such as boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner to help you communicate what your expectations are. DTR discussions can be difficult, but not addressing them can be more harmful in the long run.