How to Recognise and Embrace Healthier Relationships - Guest Article by Lisa Skeffington

These days there is so much talk of narcissistic, co-dependent, emotionally abusive, financially abusive, physically or psychologically abusive relationships. This is helpful with the awareness of when to run – but I wondered if you’d appreciate understanding more clearly what to hold on to; and when to stay and work at it, if fundamentally your relationship is a healthy one?

So what does a healthy relationship look like?

In a nutshell, mutual respect, trust, and open communication form the basis of a solid romantic relationship.

Both partners are dedicated to establishing an emotional sense of intimacy and are supportive of each other’s personal development. They put each other’s happiness and health first, and they take the time to acknowledge and understand each other’s needs and feelings.

Conflict is treated with empathy and a desire to work together to discover workable solutions. Decisions are made jointly, each person plays to their strengths so there is a sense of balance and teamwork, and both partners uniquely contribute to the success of the partnership.

Each person keeps their individuality and passions alongside sharing a hobby or two, which allows for closeness and privacy to flow. Both partners in this relationship feel safe and secure; they know they can rely on one another through life’s inevitable ups and downs.

As I’ve discussed in recent articles, being in an abusive relationship can leave lasting wounds that impact one’s sense of trust, self-worth, and self-love. By identifying the key indicators of a healthy relationship, it IS possible to move past the pain and find happiness once more.

After experiencing abuse…

It will serve you well to stay mindful of my key advice with how to recognise and embrace a healthier relationship… here goes!

Don’t rush into any new relationship without first taking time out for some self-reflection and space to heal. Get real with how your prior experience has affected you and pay attention to your feelings. Ask for objective help, ideally from a professional such as myself, or from a dependable family member, or a close friend.

In order to prevent entering another toxic relationship, it is crucial to recognize red flags and warning signs. Look out for signs of manipulation, disrespect, and selfishness. Healthy relationships are based on mutual respect, honesty, and open communication. Be mindful of how your prospective partner treats you and other people, and trust your gut if you feel uneasy.

An essential component of a successful partnership is setting and upholding healthy boundaries. It’s crucial to express your demands, wants, and limitations in a clear manner. Healthy relationships respect each other’s limits and promote candid communication. Pay close attention to how your partner handles your boundaries because it may reveal whether or not they are eager to promote a stable and harmonious relationship.

Communication that is open and honest is essential for thriving partnerships. Building trust and understanding with your relationship requires sharing your feelings, thoughts, and worries. Encourage your partner to open up. I urge you to consider my intimate and bespoke couples retreat option or online mentoring to if you have trouble communicating or are afraid to express yourself because of a traumatic experience.

Both partners should be treated with respect and equality in a good partnership. It is important to respect and acknowledge the decisions, feelings, and opinions of each other. Power should be evenly distributed, and dominating or manipulative behaviour should not exist. Collaboration, compromise, and shared decision-making are the cornerstones of healthy relationships.

A partner who is supportive and inspires and supports your personal growth. They acknowledge your accomplishments, pay attention to your worries, and offer a shoulder to cry on.  They encourage you to realise your goals and dreams.

After being abused in any relational context (whether it’s romantically or in childhood) realising and accepting a healthy relationship is a transformational path. It isn’t easy, but trust me, I know first-hand that healing is absolutely worth it, to be truly happy.

Keep talking. The more you communicate and the more your partner listens, the better your new partner will understand. You can start on a new path to a better, healthier, and more rewarding relationship by following my proven recommendations.

If you’d like my support – even if it’s just to get you started – don’t hesitate to reach out and book an initial exploratory 20-minute call here

It’s free and without obligation.

Next time I will address dysfunction within the family dynamic and the key pointers for what makes this wider relationship a healthier one, and how you may encourage better communication and connection.

Warmly,

Lisa x

Lisa Skeffington is a mentoring professional and author who specialises in the area of stress, anxiety and relationships. She is the founder of Empowered Momentum Ltd and is an expert in her field, with almost 25 years experience across different companies.