Healthy Relationships: What Do They Look Like?

Partners can manage conflict and differences without despair or threats.

Both partners protect and nourish the relationship and make it a priority (not addicted to work, for example).

Both partners know how to be responsible for their own needs and also for the care of the relationship.

Both partners feel "special" to the other. Arguments or fights do not lead to abuse or threatened break ups.

Both partners can communicate wants, needs, feelings, and emotional issues with little or no shame.

There is unconditional love if not unconditional agreement.

The relationship feels and is nurturing, comfortable, and fun.

Both partners attend to the needs of each other willingly and lovingly.

The sexual relationship works well and is mutually satisfying.

Both partners can and do keep agreements (maturity).

Both partners are honest.

There is no abuse: physical, verbal, emotional, (or ignoring).

Both partners have boundaries, for example:
Each person can say "no" to requests from their partner when necessary without feeling guilty and they can tell their partner when something doesn't feel right or hurts them. People pleasing is kept to a minimum and neither one feels that they are making a "great sacrifice" to be in the relationship.

Each person is able to do their work, attend to their children and care for other aspects of their life without threatening the relationship.