RELATIONSHIPS take work - we've all heard that one before. And it's true. Having a fulfilling relationship takes constant effort and emotional investment.
But it's also true that for the work to pay off, you need to build on a solid foundation. If you don't have one, things can get shaky pretty quickly. Or it might seem fine but then suddenly fall apart.
So what makes for a solid foundation? Experts agree it's all about how you communicate with and treat each other.
Here experts share seven signs of a healthy relationship and why they're a good indicator of whether you and your partner will be able to go the distance.
1 YOU RESPECT EACH OTHER'S BOUNDARIES
"Boundaries are just two people recognising each other's limits, their values, their past, their personal I space and their privacy," says Irish psychotherapist Darren Magee, who discusses mental-health issues on his YouTube channel. "And it must work both ways.
Couples in a healthy relationship feel comfortable setting boundaries and are confident their partner will respect those boundaries.
It isn't up to your partner to decide whether a boundary is reasonable or not, says Lauren Moss, a counselling psychologist based in Sandton, Johannesburg. "Respecting your partner as an autonomous adult means you also respect that they can decide what their boundaries are.
"In a healthy relationship, this is shown by honouring the boundary, even if it doesn't make sense to you," she tells YOU.
It's all about respecting your partner's beliefs and opinions. "You shouldn't try to coerce, convince or manipulate your partner into changing their position," says Joburg-based relationship expert Paula Quinsee.
2 YOU AGREE TO DISAGREE SOMETIMES
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 25 August 2022 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة 25 August 2022 من YOU South Africa.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you