6 Characteristics Of Honest Relationships

Honesty is what healthy and meaningful relationships are built on. Relationships without honesty are difficult to imagine.

We begin a relationship with someone because that person makes us feel good, loved, and respected. We are with that person because we know we can trust them. It’s not only their physical appearance that attracts us but their honesty, loyalty, and commitment as well.

Having an honest, harmonious, and loving relationship is what we all long for. Couples who have this kind of relationship are successful because they feel free to share their emotions, opinions, wishes, and fears with each other. They respect, support, and trust each other. They aren’t afraid to make compromises, and they always find solutions to their problems.

All relationships are brought into question the moment lies start to appear. Couples lie each other because they either want to hide something bad they did or they want to avoid conflict.

Yet, the frequent use of lies, even the smallest ones, can easily destroy any relationship. Those white lies we all rely on so as not to upset our partner unnecessarily by telling them the truth can have bad consequences too if we use them too often. The thing is that one lie usually leads to another one and after a while, we get caught up in a web of lies.

Honest relationships are impervious to lies. So, if you have doubts about whether your relationship is truthful or not, you should see if the following things are a part of it.

Here is the list:

1. Your self-worth is acknowledged.

This doesn’t only mean that you’re aware of your own worth but that both of you know the value of each other. You accept each other with all your virtues, flaws, and quirks without any prejudices or judgments. You aren’t clinging and you don’t need a constant approval or reassurance from each other.

When you know your value is acknowledged, you feel good and happy just the way you are. You don’t have the feeling that your partner wants to change you.

2. Your actions match your words.

In a truthful relationship, both partners feel free to express their emotions and ideas and they always act accordingly.

What does this mean? Well, if you say “I love you” to your partner, you prove that through appropriate actions which show that you really care about them. For example, when your partner is expressing feelings of affection or caresses you, you show that you like that and don’t pull away. Similarly, if you say that you respect and appreciate your partner for who they are, you don’t try to change them. Last but not least, if you make a promise, you always try to keep it.

3. You grow together at an emotional and spiritual level.

The honesty of your relationship makes you improve yourself. Your partner helps you learn how to be a better person to yourself and to others. You learn how to control your emotions and appropriately react to the emotions of other people. You encourage and support each other to be better in different spheres of life, such as health, friendship, career, and love.

4. You rely on communication, cooperation and compromise.

These three characteristics are fundamental components in an honest relationship. If your relationship is truthful, it means you understand that without regular, open and honest communication you can’t achieve anything, let alone reach an agreement on some issues. You aren’t afraid to speak your mind and you listen to each other carefully and with understanding.

You’re also aware that you need to support each other so as to solidify your relationship. By cooperating with each other and joining your mental and motivational forces, you’re able to achieve all your goals easily, no matter how high they are.

5. You show signs of vulnerability.

When you and your partner are honest, you aren’t afraid to expose all your emotions, doubts and fears. When you feel sad or hurt, even if your partner is the cause of these negative feelings, you let them become known. You don’t bottle them up. Similarly, you don’t lie each other or play little mind games. You simply don’t hide your weak side.

By showing your vulnerable sides, both of you know what to expect from one another, and you also learn to avoid the things which can disappoint or hurt you.

6. You are willing to forgive.

The great Mahatma Gandhi once said “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” Couples in honest relationships know that the ability to forgive is a virtue. It’s something that takes a lot of courage and probably time, but it certainly makes the relationship stronger.

If you’re privileged to be in such a relationship, then you accept the fact that all people can make a mistake or do something wrong, sometimes unintentionally and sometimes deliberately. Yet, if you or your partner show that you truly regret and feel remorse, why not getting a second chance?

Image: Daku Dark