Things you actually don’t need from a partner
Expectations verses reality are a big thing in today’s relationships. It is important to still be independent and in love with yourself. Having a partner is great, however you should still be able to be you in a relationship. It’s a balance.
Here are some of the things you actually don’t need from a partner:
You don’t need to be validated all the time. Your partner isn’t an emotional validation machine. While we all want to be validated by our partners, we have to understand that many times they simply won’t be available to do so. We don’t actually need it as we can validate ourselves when they’re unavailable.
You don’t need your partner to want to spend every waking moment with you. In fact, time apart is extremely important.
You don’t need unconditional love in order to feel safe. Adult love is a collaboration centralized around a conditional experience of satisfaction.
You don’t need a partner’s love and admiration 100% of the time. This isn’t about a lack of love but a trusting in the presence of love even when it’s not explicitly expressed.
You don’t need your partner to process and communicate their emotional experience in the same way as you in order to be fully understood or have a satisfying relationship. Everyone has their own unique emotional experience. Honor difference and influence each other.
You don’t need to have the same interests or hobbies. Have a thing together but also learn how to explore your own preferences, hobbies, and joy. This is independence and autonomy.
You don’t need to solve conflicts all the time. In fact, it can be more helpful to learn how to put them don and move on. Sometimes resolution is possible. Other times the resolution comes from tolerating conflict without pushing for a solution.
Finding the balance is the key to a healthy relationship.
