Relationship building is no easy feat! Although each and every romantic relationship starts with those glorious months of complete and utter infatuation that color the world around you in the most gorgeous shades of pink, there are some rules and key values you have to figure out if a long-lasting relationship is what the both of you are working toward.
While some of them, like respect and communication, come naturally and without any deeper thought, you might need to work or look deeper to find and grow things like appreciation and real intimacy. So, what we did here is we’ve gathered all the green flags in a relationship that you should look for in yourself and in your partner!
Really, some of these core values might come as real eye-openers if you’re in a long-term relationship. Take, for instance, forgiveness - have you been really forgiving to your partner, and have you felt the same kind of forgiveness from them? Or maybe it is something you both need to work on still? Then, when it comes to such a core value in a relationship as allowing your partner personal growth, we could go on and on about how important this feature in a relationship is.
Of course, there are also important values that hide behind the names of fluency, ease, authenticity, and safety, and all of them are just as important as the last one. And although these aren’t the things you should spend all your days analyzing and scrutinizing, when you feel them in a relationship, you’ll know that they’re the ones worth working at.
So, ready to take a look at our list of the most important relationship values? If you disagree with some of them, tell us your opinion - we’d really appreciate it, and it might be helpful to other people working towards bettering their own relationship, too. Also, rank the ones already in this list by their importance if you’d like. And lastly, share this article with your partner and seek their opinion on features you could both work a bit more on!
#1 Communication

Now, we all know that communication is the key to a happy relationship, but too few tell us that it isn't only about expressing yourself in a way that does not harm but also about being open and receptive, too.
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#2 Friendship

Friendship is all about enjoying the time spent together and sharing similar interests and views. That said, your partner should absolutely also be your best friend! After all, it is them who you are supposed to share the rest of your life with.
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#3 Support

A dependable partner will demonstrate their faith and belief in you. They'll offer support and show their approval. They'll support you in a difficult situation or affirm your experience.
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#4 Listening

The act of listening indicates care, respect, and attention. It is essential to allow others to express themselves and be present. People can detect whether you're listening or not by your body language.
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#5 Acceptance

Accepting your partner for who they are and their peculiarities, even if they annoy you, is a very important part of a relationship. It involves putting more emphasis on acknowledgment and problem-solving than on rejection and criticism.
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#6 Appreciation

It's all about recognizing something for which you are grateful, instead of taking everything for granted. Appreciate the person you are with!
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#7 Empathy

Empathy is sometimes defined as the capacity to experience another person's feelings. To us, empathy is a desire to understand your partner's perspective. It entails favoring caution and inquiry above assessment.
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#8 Trust

Being emotionally connected with someone requires trust. It is the cornerstone of all wholesome relationships. There is a deep feeling that it is safe to be vulnerable when you totally trust somebody. It also brings freedom and honesty.
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#9 Laughter

Laughter equals longevity. Not only the literal one but also a relationship longevity. Look for a partner who knows how and when to make you laugh.
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#10 Safety

When you're in a healthy relationship, you may let your guard down and be who you are. Making ultimatums or threatening to end the relationship harms your emotional security. Also, it is abusive and manipulative.
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#11 Openness

Honesty and mutual self-disclosure are critical components of openness. Being open means relinquishing control. Dropping your trained defenses is a requirement for being open. By doing this, you can develop a close relationship with your partner.
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#12 Protection

When we hear the word "protection," we primarily consider physical defense against danger. We are unaware of the emotional component of protection which is protecting your partner from harsh words or unfair situations.
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#13 Respect

Every relationship should be based on respect, and no relationship should be driven by contempt or abuse. Look out for things like name-calling, cold body language, or over use of sarcasm - these are the telltale signs that respect is nowhere to find.
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#14 Connection

Connection is about feeling safe to share anything with your partner! A relationship is no place for secrets or lies, and you shouldn't fear sharing your emotions and thoughts with your partner.
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#15 Intimacy

Being physically close to someone is only one aspect of intimacy; the yearning for a deeper connection is another. Sharing your most intimate thoughts and parts of yourself with another helps you develop intimacy by giving each other thoughtful, wise, and affirming responses. The degree of intimacy is the only distinction between a love connection and a friendship.
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#16 Care

When you care about someone, you will be interested in and concerned for their health and well-being. You will go above and beyond to let your significant other know they are unique, to make them happy, and to boost their self-esteem. Actions should always speak louder than words.
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#17 Attraction

Attraction isn't just physical; it's also emotional. When you show interest in your partner's past, present, and future, you will draw them.
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#18 Joy

Everything in life must come in balance, and so do joy and sadness. Look for a person who knows how to express their joy and share the joyful moments you're experiencing together.
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#19 Loyalty

Loyalty is sticking together no matter what and thinking about your partner's best interests every time.
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#20 Growth

A conscious relationship is one where personal and collective growth is always encouraged. Look for a person who wants to grow together by overcoming challenges while investing time in personal growth, too.
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