Even the healthiest of relationships have a demand for timely compromises and sacrifices. All successful relationships are built on the principle of giving and take, but there is a limit to how much you can give in a relationship. No relationship should require you to give everything, including yourself, away. In this article, we’ll discuss where to draw that line, were to stop giving. If you have to sacrifice any of the following things to ‘save’ your relationship, then it’s time to reconsider a few things.
9. Yourself
A person who truly loves you, will never try and change you for anything. They love you for who you are, your individuality. If your relationship requires you to be a completely different person than who you truly are, you feel like you are not being yourself around your partner, like your holding your breath in then you need to stop. A little tweak here and there are fine, but you needn’t alternate your personality for the sake of your relationship, you will just exhaust yourself with all the pretending.
8. Your freedom
It is crucial to spend time with your partner, lots of it, but you also need space for yourself. You two should be able to enjoy me-time, your partner shouldn’t be keeping constant checks on you, or make you feel guilty if you spend time with your friends, a healthy space is very important. You shouldn’t be giving that up, it just means your partner is insecure, you two should be able to be happy on your own, this will enable you to bring happiness to the relationship.
7. Your present relationships
Often, we have seen people complaining about a newly hitched friend, that he or she doesn’t spend much time with them now, or has changed. It is normal for a couple to see nothing but their partner when the cupid strikes, but this shouldn’t be the requirement of your relationship, cutting off ties with your friends and family. Your partner should not control who you hang out with, or put your relationship with people you are close to, in jeopardy.
6. Your morals
With the course of life, we all develop a set of values and morals, they become a part of who we are as a person. Whatever it is that you believe in, you should never give that up for your relationship. You are not into pre-marital sex, don’t feel pressured to accept it, you want to register in an anti-pollution drive- do it, giving up your morals because of what your partner feels about it is not the way to go.
5. Your ambitions
A happy relationship is not defined by two people having the same goals, rather both partners should support and encourage each other towards their dreams, no matter how outrageous the idea might seem to be, but if you are passionate about something then you should never give that up. Our passions drive us, motivate us and make us happy. Your partner should always have your back.
4. Having a family
If you are the kind of person who wants to get married, settle down and have kids someday; then you should be very clear about this to your partner. You have every right to dream of having a family and your partner should not take that away from you. It is very important to be on the same page in this matter.
3. Your privacy
It is crucial to be completely transparent and honest in your relationship, but that does not give your partner to go through all your text messages, sift through your mails, have all your passwords, etc. Your privacy should be respected.
2. Your self-respect
Never compromise your self-respect and accept insults, verbal or physical abuse. You should feel emotionally and physically safe with your partner. They should not take away your dignity, your presence, your confidence.
1. Your happiness
If your relationship doesn’t make you happy, add value to your life then what is the point of being in one? If your partner is making your life miserable, draining your energy and you’re generally unsatisfied then it’s not worth it. Never compromise on your happiness.
