Not every relationship is meant to last, but many are worth the effort. In order to sustain valuable connections, there are actually concrete steps that can be taken and healthy habits that can be developed to support your efforts.

The key is to build trust and authenticity with the ones with whom you feel a real connection. “Trust in a relationship means believing that your connection will be emotionally available, keep commitments, and prioritize your well-being. Trust ensures consistency and transparency in a relationship: consistency is knowing that words and actions align.”¹

Here are some basic habits to practice in order to establish and maintain positive relationships in your life.

•          Say what you mean and mean what you say. In other words, be honest.

•          When you make a mistake, admit it without getting defensive. Don’t shift the blame to anyone else. Simply take accountability.

•          Allow yourself to be vulnerable when you are in a meaningful relationship. Admit to feelings of sadness, fear or uncertainty. True connections appreciate your show of vulnerability—putting on a happy face is fine sometimes but it can also be a mask for real feelings. Positive relationships rely on reality, not the superficial.

•          Respect the boundaries of others. Everyone has their limits and they may vary from yours.

•          Set your own boundaries. Communicate what you want/need in terms of personal space and time. “Anything goes” is not a sustainable policy.

•          Be predictable. In other words, be consistent. Trust grows when behaviors are constant and dependable over a long period of time. Yo-yo behaviors may cause insecurity and doubt, often throwing a wrench into an otherwise positive connection.

•          Practice kindness in your daily interactions.

•          Are you a talker or a listener? In the healthiest relationships, you are both. Practice active listening and when you talk, remember who you’re addressing and set your tone and approach accordingly. Again, always err on the side of being kind.

Whether you are in a valuable relationship with a friend, partner, mate, parent, child or any other, being your authentic self and humble enough to apologize when necessary, helps you run successful marathons in your relationship journeys. It’s all part of Empowered Living and support not only the mental health pillar, but also the physical and spiritual ones!

1 https://depthcounseling.org/blog/how-to-build-trust-in-relationship