World Actuality

The most frustrating aspect of finding a long-term partner is not knowing who’s long-term material and who isn’t;

 How can you tell if you’ve found someone worth spending a significant amount of time with? Here are six signs that you’ve found a partner worth keeping.

You Share Common Interests : When you meet someone you like, you need to make sure that you share some common interests before getting too serious. Chances are, you already have at least one common interest or you wouldn’t have met, but it’s important to find a few more. If you commit to a relationship with someone who doesn’t enjoy doing the same things you enjoy doing, you’ll find out that it’s hard to make time for one another.

They Know and Accept Their Flaws : Self-awareness is important in a long-term partner. Not only is it attractive in a person, but it also means that the person you’ve found is realistic. Obviously no one is perfect, so it’s important to recognize this, accept what can’t be changed, and focus on the positives in life. You don’t want to be with someone who’s stuck in the past or constantly focusing on the things they can’t do.

They Can Make You Laugh : Laughing makes you feel good, it relaxes you, and it can be just what you need after a long day. If you aren’t with someone who can make you laugh or who shares your sense of humor, the relationship can get boring fast. However, it’s hard to find someone who can make you laugh in the face of stress, but when you do, you know you’re close to finding a keeper.

They’re Different Enough : Although you want to find a partner who shares your interests, you also want to find a partner who’s different from you, at least a little bit. Having someone in your life who challenges you to try new things keeps the relationship exciting. If you’re dating an exact replica of yourself, it can start out great, but get incredibly boring within a few months.

They’re Supportive but Independent : You want to find someone who supports your career and life goals, but you also want to find a partner who has their independence. Sure, you may share some similarities, but it’s perfectly normal to be with someone who has their own hopes and dreams independent of your own. The only time this is a problem is when they crush your dreams in order to reach their own.

They Communicate : Communication is the key to a healthy, long-lasting relationship. If you’re with someone who can communicate, they’re worth keeping around simply for that reason. Being able to express one’s emotions is difficult, which is why it’s important to practice when you get the chance. Communication will keep things from getting bottled up, and it will keep fights from erupting out of nowhere.