HEALTHY VS. UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

If you are in an unhealthy relationship...

...you feel pressure to change to meet your partner’s standards.
...you are afraid to disagree.
...you constantly have to justify what you do, where you go, and who you see.
...you feel unheard and unable to communicate what you want.
...you find yourself making excuses for your partner.
...you don’t have any personal space and have to share everything with your partner.
...you feel isolated from friends and family.
...you feel stifled or trapped in the relationship.
...you care for only on your partner and neglect yourself.

Remember, you are also in an unhealthy relationship if these signs apply to your partner.

If you are in an unhealthy relationship...
...your partner constantly criticizes you and your ideas and actions.
...your partner makes all the decisions.
...your partner controls everything.
...your partner never listens to you.
...your partner blames you for bad things or events in his/her life.
...your partner calls you names or yells at you.
...your partner shoves, pinches, hits, punches, kicks or otherwise hurts you.
...your partner forces you to have sex.

Remember, you are in an unhealthy relationship also if these signs apply to you. Being in a healthy relationship means…

...loving, respecting, and taking care of yourself and your partner.
...respecting individuality, embracing differences, and allowing each other to be themselves.
...doing things with friends and family and having activities independent of each other.
...discussing things, allowing for differences of opinion, and compromising equally.
..expressing and listening to each other’s feelings, needs, and desires.
..trusting your partner.
...listening to each other without judgment.
...being honest with yourself and your partner.
...taking responsibility for your actions and feelings.
...respecting each other’s need and right for privacy.
...practicing safe sex.
...respecting sexual boundaries and physical space.
...being able to say no to sex or anything you’re uncomfortable with.
...resolving conflicts in a peaceful and nonviolent way.
...sharing decisions about things affecting both partners.
...having room for positive growth and learning more about each other.

Remember, love is sweet, generous and kind. It is never demeaning, hurtful or degrading. It is a feeling shared by two people, who compliment each other. When you’re sad, love is sad. When you’re happy, love is happy. It wants what is best for you and not what’s best for it. It is mutual emotions that once felt will soar you higher than you could ever imagine or believe. Love won’t ball its fists to strike at you, but it will hold out it hands to comfort you.