Healthy relationships are the building blocks for a happy life. These relationships influence your decisions, provide you with support and boost your self-esteem. However, strong connections take dedication and time.
Read on to learn more about the tools needed for creating strong, long-lasting connections.
Set boundaries. Boundaries are essential to healthy relationships. Boundaries are agreements that you and the other party stick to. For example, if you hold different beliefs than your friend, you may ask them not to tease you or argue with you about it.
Get to know yourself, your wants and your needs. Discover who you are and what you want and need from your relationships. Try analyzing your current connections. Which ones make you happy? Which ones challenge you while still respecting your boundaries? Looking at your existing relationships will help you determine what you need and where you may need to implement additional boundaries.
Practice vulnerability. This means being brave enough to express difficult emotions or share certain parts of yourself you might otherwise hide. Vulnerability is challenging as you risk being hurt or misunderstood, but the strongest relationships come from mutual vulnerability. Start with someone you already trust and let them know that what you tell them is difficult for you to share.
Take responsibility for your actions. Admitting when you’re wrong is one of the fastest ways to build trust and establish mutual respect. Try naming exactly what you are apologizing for. This will show that you recognize your mistake and will do better next time.
Practice your communication skills. Communicating is more than just talking. Often, petty disagreements indicate a deeper concern in a relationship. Try taking a moment to dig deeper by asking yourself and the other party what the root cause of the argument is. Speaking openly and honestly with one another can strengthen your bond and help you understand each other.
Establish respect. Regardless of the nature of your relationship, building it on respect will help you avoid long-term conflict and keep tension at a minimum. Remember to always treat others as you would have them treat you.