Discussion: What makes a relationship successful?

[Spitfire]

So, what do you guys think needs to be part of a relationship in order for it to be successful? What things don't need to be, but it helps? What things make a relationship unsuccessful?



Everybody has different needs and wants in a relationship, what are yours?!





Personally, One of the most important things to me is that we can have fun. I love to laugh and enjoy myself and if I couldn't with somebody I was dating, I'd have a hard time. Also, trust. I really hate being cheated on, I have to be able to trust my partner or I'd worry myself to death.

[FranklinF]

Successful Relationships:

Trust, Faith, Support, Love, Laughs.

Unsuccessful:

Controling, fear, uncertainty



My relationships, I need to feel safety, like the knowing no matter how much i mess up or what stupid thing I they will be by me. I have had this feeling with very few friends and even fewer boyfriends... I feel like I have it with my husband. I dont know it probably sounds stupid...

[FiZzBaW]

I think the most important thing in any type of relationship is Honesty.

Perhaps I think that way because lies are the one thing that annoy me the most... I don't think a relationship can work without honesty.



Now besides honesty, I think that you should be able to hold meaningful conversations with your significant other. You should enjoying being with them, and you should want to work through any problems that arise.



-My thoughts

-FiZz

[Summer08]

I am not sure if this applies to everyone, because some married couples are really inseparable, but I think one of the things that has made this relationship my most successful is that we keep our separate identities/interests. We are able to go out without the other one and respect each other's space. Trust plays in here, too- if you don't trust someone, of course you will always want to be with them so you can stay in the middle of their business. You do have to have things in common also and be able to have interesting conversations. As you get older or start having more serious relatinoships, it is also important that you have the same goals and values.

[FranklinF]

wow summer08 i couldnt agree with you more, now if only i could figure out what my real interests are

[MattMan]

Yeah, Summer08, I agree with you, as well. Some couples are inseparable, and others are more successful if they give each other plenty of room to pursue their individual interests. The last relationship I was in, we were almost always together, and it was alright, but could've been better because we didn't actually share a whole lot of interests. The one I'm pursuing right now we both have oodles of space. I'm beginning to believe that how a relationship plays out has a lot to do with how both people view the other person, and what the other person means to them. I think successful relationships have most, if not all of these:



common interests

individual interests

trust

honesty

care (obvious?)

attraction

understanding

forgiveness

respect (important!)

FUN!