I’ve also just married my best friend and life partner and, because of this, felt moved to write today’s post. (And yes, that picture you see paired with the article is actually one of my wedding photos!)
This post is inspired not only by what I’ve come to believe personally and professionally about love, but also inspired by the many relationship teachers and mentors I’ve learned from over the years.
Today’s blog post topic? 8 things to look for in a life partner.
Now, of course, this list is totally subjective and not at all complete. It’s simply one person’s perspective on some ingredients that may make for a healthy, sustainable, long-term romantic relationship.
We all have our own individual needs and wants when it comes to choosing a life partner, so consider my list of 8 things simply a catalyst for your own creative thinking about this topic.
And then please leave me a message in the comments below to let me know what else you would add to this list!
A Therapist Shares 8 Things To Look For In A Life Partner.
1. Choose someone for their invisible qualities.
Choose someone for the feelings they evoke in you. For the quality of their character and soul. Not for their looks, their professional accolades, their paycheck.
All of this will fade and change and ebb over the course of time. So focus on what’s more critical: the quality and content of their character, for the radiance of their soul, for how you feel when you’re around them, how they treat you, what you could notice and know about them if you were blind and could not see. Your life partner should be someone you can still choose for their invisible qualities.
2. Look for someone who is growth and learning-oriented.
The reality is this: long-term romantic relationship can be HARD. It is also beautiful, inspiring, hilarious and many other wonderful things. But make no mistake; it can be hard, too.
Getting two humans to stay together with all their quirks, preferences, and baggage day-in and day-out, year after year as you grow, evolve, and possibly change as individuals takes work and it takes a willingness to grow and to learn.
Choose a partner who is growth and learning-oriented and who’s willing to do the hard work of growing individually and collectively with you again and again over the lifecycle of your relationship.
