How To Tell If Your Partner Is Right For You Long-Term Or Only Right For You Right Now
The Dating Game Is Ever-Evolving
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With going out to meet people, online dating, and the rise of dating apps, new rules are constantly added to date effectively.
And When You Find Someone, It Doesn’t Get Easier
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Even when you find someone, you have to navigate all the “firsts” and the awkward getting-to-know-each-other phase to see how compatible you are.
Dating Apps Make It Easy To Quit On A Relationship
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With the conveniences of dating apps, it’s easy to call it quits early on and either backslide to the toxic ex or look for someone who might check more boxes.
Here Are 10 Signs Your Partner’s Worth Holding On To Long-Term
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So how do you figure out if this new beau is suitable for you long-term or just another short-term fling right now?
#1: They Encourage Your Ambitions
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It is normal to make adjustments and compromises when dating someone. However, if they actively encourage you to pursue that new job you are eyeing or whatever goal you are chasing, that is a good sign you’ve found someone to be with long-term.
#2: They Like You Just As You Are
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This sign requires you to listen to your intuition. If your gut is telling you they might not fully accept who you are, it might be worth listening to. If your new partner attempts to change or control you in any way, it is likely to get worse as the relationship progresses – especially if you have voiced your concerns and nothing has changed.
This is a blatant disrespect of your boundaries and should not be tolerated. If they cannot accept you for who you are, they are probably not meant to be “the one.”
#3: Other People In Your Life Like Them
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We all want a relationship with someone who fits into other aspects of our life. Relationships are better when your friends and family like and get along with your partner. Furthermore, you need to be able to fit into their life as well. So if you like and can get along with each other’s friends and families – that is a good sign it can work long-term.
#4: You Have Similar Interests
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You do not need to enjoy doing everything together for a relationship to work – that’s why we have the saying “opposites attract.”
However, it would be best if you had a few similar interests and hobbies you enjoy doing together for the relationship to be fulfilling in the long run. So if you have a couple of things you two love doing together – you might be on the right track.
#5: They Are A Good Listener
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If your new partner takes a genuine interest in your life and actively listens when conversing with you – that’s a good sign they are worth holding onto.
Suppose they are not great at listening to or remembering things you have told them. In that case, that is likely only to get worse as the relationship progresses.
#6: They Are Happy Seeing You Happy
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An ideal partner places your wants and needs equally essential to their own. So, if your new partner tends to actively take your needs and wants into consideration and is noticeably happy making you happy, you’ve got a keeper for the long haul.
Relationships are often full of compromises and collaboration, so a partner who shows an interest in doing so early on is a good sign.
#7: They Have Clear And Concise Boundaries
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You do not want a partner who cannot communicate clearly when they are happy or unhappy about something.
Boundaries are important because they share what will and will not be tolerated in a relationship.
If you have a partner who has clear boundaries and actively wants to learn about and respect your boundaries, you have a partner worth keeping long-term.
#8: They Take Responsibility For Their Actions
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Let’s say your new partner does something to upset you. If they offer a sincere apology that considers your perspective of what they did wrong and provides a solution not to upset you again, you have a good one.
If they spout off a quick fake apology or attempt to gaslight you in any way, it’s best not to keep them for much longer. Manipulative behavior is unlikely to stop as the relationship continues if it pops up early on.
#9: They Demonstrate They Are Trustworthy
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Trust is one of the pillars of a long-lasting relationship. If your new partner demonstrates trustworthiness by respecting boundaries, keeping vulnerable secrets to themselves, and never talking wrong about you behind your back to family or friends, you’ve got a one.
#10: They Encourage You To Maintain An Identity Outside The Relationship
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If your partner actively encourages you to have a life outside the relationship, you have a keeper. You should maintain relationships and hobbies outside the relationship to maintain your independence and sense of identity.
After all, you had a life before the relationship, so you should be able to maintain that to some degree. You are more than a girlfriend – so make sure your partner understands that.
These Signs Are Not The Only Ones…
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…But these are a few important ones to consider when figuring out if your new partner is “the one” or just “the one right now.”
What signs would you add? What do you look for when determining if a partner is meant to be long-term or temporary?
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