I have written many blogs on the subject of being single and happy along with how it can very well be a good thing; however, I have not really taken the time to write about ways to be remain happy when you are in a relationship. So I will take a moment to reflect and delve into that subject matter because it is just as important to find happiness while you are in a relationship (whether it be a casual relationship or a permanent one) as it is to be happy when you are single.

Find the Right Partner – This is the most essential component of finding happiness in any relationship is to actually find a partner whom you are compatible with and that you overall get along with. The more similar you are with your partner and the more you both see eye-to-eye on most important areas in life, the less likely that there are going to be arguments or any built up tension between each other.

Establish Respect and Healthy Boundaries – It is extremely important with any relationship, that there is mutual respect for one another along with healthy boundaries to be in place which should be established at the very early stages of any relationship to ensure that both people are on the same page. This is not only the foundation of a happy relationship but also a very healthy one.

Work Together – It is very easy in a relationship to attack your partner or to take a single minded approach whenever a problem arrives. Nothing really gets accomplished when two people work against each other which is why you need to make it a point to understand each other’s point of view and to always work together. Keep in mind that it is expected that compromises and sacrifices are going to be needed for promoting togetherness and the greater good of the relationship. Two people will feel better knowing that the end goal is to work towards coming together as one as opposed to fighting with each other which causes separation, resentment, and typically no real solution.

Focus on the Positive Without Expecting Perfection – Realistically, there is no such thing as a “perfect” partner in which you will love every single quality about the person; however, I do very much believe that you can find what you define as your perfect match where your partner possesses many desirable qualities that you are attracted to. That is why you always should fixate on the positive qualities of the person you choose to be with. If you focus on their best qualities, then there is a higher chance that you will naturally feel happier being with this person. If you find that their bad qualities outweigh the good, then this might be a good time to break off the relationship and consider finding a new partner altogether.

Love Yourself Above Anything Else – This might come across as an oxymoron and you might be thinking, “So you’re telling me to love myself above anything else in order to be happy in a relationship? How do I do both at the same time?” What I really am pointing out is the importance of SELF LOVE. If this is something that you recognize that you need to work on, it is wise to work on increasing self love before getting into a serious relationship. Remember that when you love yourself, you will always find happiness from within regardless of your relationship status. Self love can also serve as a spiritual tool that can help you make your very best dating decisions in your life and guide you towards finding your true match. Think about it, when you love yourself above anything else, it is much easier to weed out the toxic people who only bring your life down and as a result, only pursue a relationship that is going to bring you unlimited happiness throughout your lifetime.