Relationships are an essential part of your social support network that contribute to your mental and physical well-being. They can vary in nature and type, but can include intimate or platonic relationships that provide emotional and sexual intimacy, as well as friendships that offer mutual benefits such as support, shared interests and values, and a sense of belonging.
Relationships provide a safe place to learn about yourself and your partner, which can lead to healthy communication and conflict resolution skills. They also help you build self-esteem and become a more mature version of yourself. However, they are not a panacea for self-improvement, and you must be willing to work on yourself as well as your partner.
In a relationship, it’s important to respect your partner as an individual with their own interests and perspectives. That means that whatever they choose to do with their time, you should respect that.
You can share passions with your partner, such as baking together or starting a book club. You can also take part in couple activities such as a spa day once a week or going hiking. But don’t be afraid to have your own separate activities, like a weekly girls’ night or a poker game with friends.
Some people use the term’situationship’ to refer to a type of relationship that is not a commitment but more than a friendship. While this does not necessarily imply that there is an incompatibility or lack of trust, it can indicate that the person wants to spend more time doing date-like activities than they do with their friends.