Key Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Relationship
Relationships can be as exhilarating as they are complex. Whether you’re in the early stages of dating or have been together for years, understanding if your relationship is ready for the long haul involves more than just mutual affection and shared dreams. It requires a profound readiness to support each other’s happiness and tackle life’s inevitable challenges together. So, how do you know if your relationship is truly ready for a long journey?
Leading couples’ therapist Shivani Misri Sadhoo answers your question in this article and shares a few questions that you need to ask yourself for that.
Are you genuinely happy in this relationship?
Beyond the notion of completion or immediate happiness, consider its impact on your overall well-being. Constant discord at home can permeate other aspects of life. While challenges are natural, marrying in the hope of change is unwise. True readiness involves self-reflection, prioritizing mutual happiness, and emotional maturity to navigate stress and conflicts. Are you genuinely content, capable of growth, and willing to nurture this relationship?
Are you compatible in all respects?
Do you share practical values with your partner? Watch for red flags early on, like financial stinginess or excessive spending. Assess their treatment of others and how they handle conflict. Healthy disagreements and growth together are crucial. Will you defend your relationship if loved ones aren’t supportive? Consider their relationship with their family too. Compatibility in these areas lays a strong foundation for a lasting commitment.
Are both of you truly listening and communicating effectively to deepen your relationship?
It’s essential to engage in open, honest discussions where concerns are heard without judgment. Active listening, empathy, and constructive conflict resolution are vital components. If you find it challenging to prioritize your partner’s needs and perspectives, it may signal underlying issues. Cultivating a culture of mutual understanding and support through effective communication strengthens the bond and ensures long-term compatibility.
Can you trust the person you’re dating?
Trust forms the cornerstone of any relationship, enabling open communication and honesty. If you sense dishonesty, jealousy, or actions that breed doubt, it may signify an unhealthy dynamic. Trust evolves through vulnerability and honesty over time. Ensure both partners feel secure and respected. By fostering trust, you create a solid foundation for your relationship to flourish and progress authentically.
Can we truly embrace each other despite our imperfections, understanding that nobody is flawless?
Willingness to share life on equal terms requires mutual acceptance without judgment. Admiring our partner as a distinct individual fosters respect and support for their journey. As best friends, we encourage each other to thrive. Beyond romantic ties, authentic acceptance of one another’s uniqueness is pivotal. Letting go of the urge to change allows for genuine connection and growth in our relationship.
How can we ensure growth within our relationship while honoring individual needs?
Just as a pie needs separate slices, our relationship must allow space for personal development and pursuits. Circumstances evolve, necessitating flexibility and understanding. It’s vital to acknowledge each partner’s unique interests, friends, and endeavors. Power dynamics mustn’t hold one partner hostage, but rather, foster mutual respect and support. Balancing togetherness with individuality strengthens our bond and propels us forward.
Is self-discovery a priority before deepening relationships?
Absolutely. Understanding oneself—strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities—is essential. By embracing our entirety, we bring authenticity to partnerships. This self-awareness promotes stability, anchoring couples through growth. Continual self-improvement enriches relationships, ensuring both individuals evolve harmoniously. Before committing, delving into our complexities lays the foundation for genuine connections, strengthening bonds, and nurturing mutual growth in the journey ahead.
Once you’ve honestly pondered these questions, you’ll gain clarity on your relationship’s readiness for the long journey ahead. Prioritize happiness, compatibility, communication, trust, acceptance, growth, and self-discovery to nurture a fulfilling and enduring partnership.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
