Relationships are associations between people that may involve emotional or physical intimacy. They can be romantic or non-romantic and may be long-term or casual.
A relationship that is healthy and loving may have some difficulties, but it shouldn’t be difficult in the sense that it feels hard or exhausting. In fact, it should feel like a fun or inspiring activity that you enjoy and are excited about. Think about your favorite hobby or a project at work that you really get into. That might feel like a relationship sometimes, too!
Love is respect in a relationship means showing empathy for your partner and understanding what they are going through. It also means respecting their feelings and boundaries, as well as their right to spend time with family and friends outside of the relationship.
Some people stay in relationships that aren’t very healthy because they have heard that relationships “take work.” This is true, but the work doesn’t have to be difficult or exhausting. It is more about keeping the lines of communication open and being respectful when you have disagreements. It is also about recognizing that some problems can’t be solved. Sometimes differences in values, beliefs, habits or personality are too deep to change, and it is important to understand when that is the case. Taking responsibility for your mistakes can go a long way, and apologizing to your partner is always a good idea. This can help to repair damaged trust and restore a sense of mutual respect.