Relationships are a big part of life. They boost different aspects of our lives, like our sense of responsibility and understanding, they can increase our self esteem/confidence and give us a feeling of belonging, they can be a source of romance and sex, and also help with reducing stress. They can be hard and messy, but they can also be very rewarding and fulfilling.

Everyone has a picture in their mind of what a relationship is supposed to look like: Two people share all the responsibilities, but manage to fine-tune their time together so that they both still have space to pursue their own interests and hobbies. They are both supportive of their partners’ professional goals and help them stay motivated to achieve those goals. They are both there to comfort and celebrate their successes and to cheer them on during their setbacks.

The reality is that there are many kinds of relationships and not all of them work out the way we’d like them to. It’s important to recognize that some differences and difficulties can’t be resolved, especially if they are deeply rooted in a person’s values, beliefs or habits.

Healthy relationships require two happy and healthy individuals. This means that it is important to respect each other’s individual identities and not attempt to change them. It’s also important to be able to communicate well and avoid misunderstandings. This requires listening to your partner and taking the time to double check that you understood them correctly.