Being in a relationship is meant to help you to be a better person. Your partner is supposed to support you to make yourself complete through self-fulfillment.
Yes, sometimes you need to sacrifice for the sake of your partner. Selfishness has no room in a relationship that is healthy. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice comfort, wants, and even opportunities to secure your relationship.
However, there are important things that you must never sacrifice for your relationship. If you do, you will lose yourself. To know what they are, check below.
1. Yourself
You must never change who you are for someone else. Your partner should accept you for who you are. We all change and grow through our lives, so the right person should be willing to embrace who you are during any stage in your life. Compromises are essential in a relationship, but that does not mean you should change your personality or beliefs just to please your partner. If they can’t accept you this way, there is always someone who can.
2. Your other relationships
You should never sacrifice your friendships or family relationships just because you are married or in a relationship. If your partner wants you to spend less time with these people, it is a sign of a possessive behavior which is never healthy or beneficial. Make sure your partner is understanding and confident enough to be comfortable with you spending time away from them from time to time.
3. Freedom
If you need to check in with your partner for anything you do, or if you feel guilty when meeting friends or family, there is something wrong about your partner’s confidence. Possessiveness shows insecurity, so even if your partner deserves your love and kindness, it does not give them the right to demand that you cut off every other relationship you have with people. Such controlling behavior is a sign they are not comfortable with themselves and this is an issue that needs to be resolved if you want to spend the rest of your life with this person.
4. Inner peace
Your partner should be the one who makes you feel calm and forget about everything else. However, if your partner is the source of your anger, anxiety and nervousness, they will make you feel even more vulnerable to negative energy. They should be the one who will bring peace in your life, not negativity.
5. Happiness
If your partner does not bring you more happiness, why are you with them? If your partner constantly makes you feel miserable, it is time to end the relationship. You should be with someone who will bring positivity and match your positive energy, not someone who will d rain you from the energy you have. Your partner cant always feel blissful and neither can you, but constantly being unable to find happiness for themselves or for you is a sign they should work on themselves, not your relationship.
6. Fun
If you don’t enjoy the company with your partner, if you don’t have fun together or try new things, then it is a sign something big is missing. Occasional disagreements are normal, but if they become a part of your everyday life or if you get stuck in a routine, you can never feel alive in that relationship. Loosen up and get crazy from time to time.
7. Your dreams
A healthy relationship is between two people who have the same mission and the support each other all the way. Even if you have different dreams, you should encourage and support each other. However, if you don’t feel you have that from your partner, it is time to end the relationship. You don’t need someone who will dismiss or discourage your goals.
8. Your spiritual/religious beliefs
Some people are willing to change their religion for their partner, but there is a difference whether they are doing that to please their partner or because they made the decision by themselves. Nobody is worth compromising your beliefs for, and your partner should enhance your spiritual life even if it is completely opposite from their own.
9. Your desire to explore
Life should be about experiencing new and exciting things, but if your partner is not willing to try anything new and also prevents you from doing so, you will never be happy with such person. Your partner should be the one to push you into taking risks and grow as a person, and if they are trying to inhibit your free spirit, leave before it is too late.
10. Communication
In every healthy relationship communication is essential. This does not involve only talking with each other, but sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings. You should also value each other’s opinion without judgment. If you are feel that your partner is not open and honest with you, try to encourage them and let them know they can trust you. Having healthy communication is key to a happy and long-lasting relationship.