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Expectations in a relationship are subjective. Everyone has a different opinion about it and everyone expects something different in a relationship. Therefore, expectations differ from person to person. For example, you might expect your sweetheart to prepare dinner, while they expect you to clean up after it’s gone. But if these expectations are not clearly communicated, it can lead to tension in the relationship.
From pointless discussions to heated conflicts over nothing: although it is human to have certain expectations of a relationship, the wrong expectations can ruin a relationship. They can be unrealistic , unfair to your partner or simply impossible. For example, you may expect something from your partner that he or she is completely unable to do. And that causes problems.
9 things you can expect in a relationship
In a relationship there are hundreds of things that should not be expected. Not from the relationship and not from your partner. But there are also a number of things you can expect. These are the basic needs you should fulfill for each other, even though they may never be expressed. And that’s why it’s not wrong to expect these things in a relationship: it’s actually right.
1. Compassion
When you come home with bad news, your partner is the first person you share it with. You are sad and feel dejected. You expect your partner to show some sign of sympathy, but to your surprise you hardly get a response. “Oh, okay,” your partner says, then turns back to the TV – as if your feelings are unimportant. Can you expect your partner to show some compassion? The answer is ‘yes’, that is allowed.
In a relationship, you can expect your partner to show interest in how you feel. A partner doesn’t have to try to read your mind and they don’t have to feel the same way you do, as long as they show that your feelings matter.
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2. Priority
In addition to your own health and life goals, you probably have dozens of other priorities in your life. One of those priorities is your partner. But where do you put it? The answer will be different for everyone.
However, in a relationship you can expect your partner to prioritize you over many others. Whether they are colleagues or good acquaintances: you can expect to be given more priority than these people. Conversely, you shouldn’t expect to be given top priority, as that can be unfair to your partner.
3. Affection
Whether you expect a kiss when you leave for work in the morning or a hug when you get home, affection is one of the things you can expect in a relationship. You don’t have to expect to always hold hands, but you can expect your partner to show affection – preferably in a way that you want to receive affection.
4. Respect
In a relationship you can expect to be respected by your partner . You treat each other respectfully and respect each other’s boundaries. You don’t have to expect your partner to tell you everything, but you can expect your partner not to lie to you. A respectful partner emphasizes your strengths and takes your weaknesses into account.
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5. Time
Relationships are about spending time together. If that doesn’t happen, what’s left of the relationship? So you can expect to make time for each other. Now that is not always possible in a relationship in which both lead busy lives. But if your partner rarely or never has time for you, then you can say something about it. It’s only natural to expect that you want to spend time with your loved one.
6. Interest
It’s not unreasonable to expect your partner to show interest in you . Whether it concerns your thoughts, your opinion, feelings or something as simple as a new hobby. In a relationship you can expect your partner to be more interested in you than in others. You can also expect your partner to show more interest in you than others do.
7. Intimacy
In a relationship you can expect to be completely yourself. You show yourself to your partner and you can expect the same vice versa. You can expect to share your thoughts and feelings with each other, knowing that you are doing so in a place that is safe enough to do so. In addition to emotional intimacy, you can of course also expect physical intimacy in a relationship.
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8. Honesty
If you ask most people what they find most important in a relationship , they will often mention two words: honesty and reliability. That is also what you can expect in a relationship. These are two things that form the basis of a relationship, the foundation. Honesty is essential in relationships because it is an almost necessary condition for trust.
9. Equality
We no longer live in the Middle Ages. Women are no longer unequal to men. Even if your partner has much more income than you, you can expect to be treated as an equal. Or even better: you can’t just expect it, you can also demand it. Complete equality is never possible, but you can expect a healthy balance that you and your partner can agree on.
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