What is a healthy relationship?
Healthy relationships are those in which all individuals are treated as equals, with respect, trust, loyalty, and more. When a relationship is healthy, there is not one person making all the decisions or being controlling, but a mutually beneficial situation in which all voices are heard, responsibility is shared, and decisions are made together.
In reality, a healthy relationship is not perfect, but it is one that constantly strives to recognize each individual and maintains equality for each partner. The Equality Wheel shows a variety of healthy relationship traits that are reasonable to ask for in a relationship, and for your partner(s) to ask for in return.
“Everyone warns you about red flags in a relationship, but I want to hear about the green flags.”
Relationships are healthy when…
Respect each other as equal partners in the relationship
Show feelings of love and affection in a consensual way
Work on building and maintaining trust and loyalty
Spend time with friends, family, and oneself
Give space (physical and technological)
Support each other's choices and goals
Communicate openly and honestly
Have fun and enjoy time together
Apologize when appropriate
Act in a pono way