Relationships are the people who surround us and influence our lives, both negatively and positively. Different types of relationships are important for our health and well-being, and can be both intimate and casual.
A healthy relationship is one that you can depend on to meet your emotional needs (i.e., love and care) but also respects your individuality and allows you to make your own decisions in life. It also makes you feel safe and supported, even when you fuck up or get in trouble.
Many people stay in unhealthy relationships because they have heard that a good relationship takes work, but it’s not always difficult or exhausting. It’s like the effort you put into a hobby you love or a project for school that you really dig – it can be fun, inspiring and engaging.
Physical attraction is the start of most romantic relationships. Intimacy is the next stage, which often leads to commitment. Once you’ve committed to someone, you may choose to use identifiers such as girlfriend, boyfriend or partner to show others that you are in a relationship with them.
Intimate relationships take a lot of time and commitment. They also require trust, which is built by demonstrating faithfulness, following through with promises and being honest, even when it hurts. You can also build intimacy by establishing an environment where both of you can enjoy each other’s company and limit distractions to focus on just being together.