7 Characteristics of Long-Term Couples
When it comes to relationships, no two loves are the same. From one couple to the next, emotions and experiences are felt and interpreted on different levels. At the same time, there are certain characteristics that all relationships need to succeed.
As couples work together to create loving and comfortable companionships, the recipe for lasting love is fostered by these seven qualities.
1. Dedication
A key ingredient in a successful relationship is dedication to one another. This type of commitment not only demonstrates love for one another, but it also shows that couples are satisfied in their relationships.
When couples are happy together, they are more driven to make the relationship work, whereas when they become uninterested or lack satisfaction, their dedication to the relationship may dwindle.
Successful relationships require partners work together as a team, and as long as both individuals are willing to work for the relationship, there’s a good chance they will create a lasting love.
2. Appreciation
It doesn’t matter what The Beatles said about love being all your need, couples who stay happily together don’t just love each other, but they also appreciate one another. In the beginning of a relationship it’s easy to appreciate the small things a partner does, but when these kind gestures become commonplace, it’s possible for them to go unnoticed. Men and women alike crave appreciation, and there’s no better feeling than when your lover acknowledges the efforts you make to please them. As the great Oprah Winfrey said, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.”
3. Kindness
Kindness glues couples together and is one of the most important elements of a successful relationship. Kindness makes each partner feel cared for, understood, validated, and loved. There’s a great deal of evidence that shows the more someone receives or witnesses kindness, the more they will also be kind.
When this happens, it creates upward spirals of love and generosity in a relationship. Whether you already practice sustained kindness or not, think of it as a muscle that can grow stronger with exercise. In other words, the kinder you are, the stronger this muscle of goodwill will grow, and the easier it will be to show it. A successful relationship understands that love is born through the giving act of kindness.
4. Empathy
Empathy is the art of putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understanding how they feel or view particular situations. The toughest part about being empathetic, is being able to hold back your own emotions so that they don’t project onto another’s situation. Couples in successful relationships work to understand and justify one another’s feelings, and in turn, they can better understand each other and are comfortable expressing themselves.
A great way to show your partner that you’re empathetic is by openly conversing about their feelings, volunteering to help when possible and expressing concern where fit. It may not always be easy, but stepping outside of your own personal emotions is essential for making your partner feel important and loved.
5. Companionship
Happy couples enjoy spending real quality time together, and as much as some may argue, binge watching Netflix and ordering pizza doesn’t count as such. It’s important to prioritize your relationship and set aside time to do things of significance with your partner.
As relationships move forward it’s normal to have lazy days together, but it’s also important to make a conscious effort to go on dates, experience new activities and show interest in one another’s hobbies.
This may sound like an obvious part of dating, but many relationships spiral downwards when couples get too comfortable and spend their time together running errands, bickering or discussing serious issues. Remember; relationships are meant to be fun bonding experiences, so be sure to enjoy yourselves.
6. Sexual Attraction
As you may or may not know, it’s common for sexual intimacy to wane over time and the reasons behind so are endless. Keeping intimacy a part of your relationship is important because it’s very rare to have a healthy relationship without it.
Sex is a complicated thing – it’s beautiful, fun, and feels good, but it’s also tied up with issues of self esteem and emotions. You may think of it as a simple act, but in reality it could be a sole source of the tension in a relationship.
Unless both partners have a low sex drive, a lack of intimacy can sabotage a relationship. In fact, studies have shown that the less sex couples have, the less happy they are, which is why successful relationships require a lasting attraction.
7. Generosity
Generosity is about giving freely without expecting anything in return. In a relationship, this means partners must sacrifice their time and emotional energy for one another. This particular characteristic can be shown by giving praise, practicing forgiveness, or doing romantic gestures or small acts of service (cooking a meal, taking out the garbage, etc.) for one another.
When relationships do not involve this kind of free giving, it leaves room for bitterness, miscommunication and frustration to creep in. On the other hand, taking the time to practice generosity will deepen your affection for one another and strengthen your bond. To have a successful relationship, be sure to show your partner this expression of love.
Amy North
Amy North, BA, BSc, is a woman’s best friend. If you’re searching for the man of your dreams, or you want make your boyfriend stay devoted to you, then Amy North is your gal! Amy's incredibly popular YouTube channel, which boasts over 340,000 subscribers and 20+ million views, helps women learn how to get what they want out of their relationships. Her best-selling program, The Devotion System, reveals a number of psychological ‘hot buttons’ that make any man 'tick', and teaches readers how to use simple techniques and phrases to make any man love you.