Self-doubt gets to us all sometimes in relationships. After all, feelings (especially romantic ones!) are tricky to understand.
Knowing whether the person you’re with is truly right for you isn’t just based on a gut feeling. It’s determined by the things you do together.
Want to know if you’re with the right person? If you do these 8 things together, there’s a high chance you’re in the clear!
Up first:
1) You laugh together (and often)
What’s the most common thing you hear people in movies say after a good date? Chances are it’s “He’s funny” or “He made me laugh”.
That’s because humor is often the best way to someone’s heart!
Having a shared sense of humor is important. Research finds that couples who laugh together feel happier in the relationship and closer to each other.
It’s also just nice to be with someone who you can laugh with!
Can you imagine dating someone who never laughs at your jokes? Or someone you hardly ever see laugh at all?
Surely that’s no way to live…
2) You still date each other (no matter how long you’ve been together)
Going on dates with your boyfriend or girlfriend is probably the most fun part of being in a relationship.
Giggling as you watch them bowl down pins at the alley, or snuggling up to them at the movie theatre, is what the “fun side” of being in a relationship is all about.
Experts say it’s important to date one another – no matter whether you’ve been together for 1 year or 30.
Dating keeps the spark alive, creates quality time for the two of you, and gives a sense of freshness to the relationship.
So if you’re a year, two years, or 10 years in – and you still make time for dates – there’s a good chance the person you’re with is the right one for you.
3) You listen to each other (even when it comes to the simple things)
People listen to things they’re interested in. That means, if you listen to your partner, you’re actually interested in them.
Experts say when you don’t listen to someone, you’re probably bored, distracted, or waiting to talk about yourself.
To me, when you don’t listen to your partner, I don’t think you can really care about them. At least, not on a deep level.
But if you and your partner listen to each other intently – even about the small things – and you feel heard by that person, that’s a great sign you’ve found the one for you!
4) You cuddle together
Whether it’s on the couch or in bed at night, couples who hug together, stay together. I just made that saying up, but according to experts, it’s somewhat true!
When both people enjoy cuddling, it makes you feel safe and bonded as a pair. It also makes you feel closer and more empathetic to each other’s needs.
Hugging also releases oxytocin, which promotes positive emotions and a feeling of love.
So if you and your partner hug often, whether it’s saying goodbye or after a long day, there’s a good chance you’re right for each other.
5) You talk every day
There’s no evidence to back this one up, but from experience, you don’t get into relationships with people you don’t want to speak to every day.
When I’ve been able to go days without talking to a romantic interest in the past, it’s been because I wasn’t really that invested in them.
But when I’ve been head over heels in love, I’ve wanted to fill (almost) every minute of my days talking to them!
Something relationship experts do say though is that it’s important to ask about your partner’s day to maintain the friendship.
Even though some people don’t like to text their partner 24/7, communication is important – and they should still speak to each other daily.
Whether it’s via a quick text, a 2-hour phone call, or an in-person date – it’s something.
But if you and your partner can go long stretches without talking to each other, they may not be the right person for you.
6) You compliment each other
Everyone loves compliments. Even people who get awkward when they receive compliments love compliments. Why? Because it’s in our biology!
A study once showed that compliments dramatically boost the mood of both the giver and the receiver.
It’s theorized that compliments fulfill our emotional need to be accepted by society and recognized as a person (which is why we all like them deep down).
Plus, it just feels nice to know your partner appreciates you! Hearing that they think you look nice or handled a situation well is a good feeling.
And if you and your partner frequently tell each other nice things (without needing to ask them to do it), you’ve probably met the right one.
7) You express gratitude for each other
I.e., you say your “please” and “thank you”’s!
One relationship expert concludes that relationships decline when people become too comfortable around each other, not out of dislike for one another.
And how do couples become too comfortable with each other? Well, it usually starts with taking the other for granted.
If you’re in a relationship with someone who appreciates you fully for everything you do – always thanking you for the small ways you make their life better (yes, these relationships do exist!), then that’s great news for your future together.
But even if you just have the bare minimum (saying please and thank you often), that can be enough to know you’ve met the right person.
8) You say “I love you” all the time
Finally, another thing that should be happening in a relationship is you should be saying you love each other all the time.
If you can’t remember the last time you and your partner said you love each other, this isn’t good news.
Sure, there’s no minimum frequency that’s ever been agreed on by experts for how often you should say you love each other.
However, many experts say it’s important to express it verbally often to maintain a healthy relationship.
So if you and your partner can’t stop saying how much you love each other, this is a great sign – and you’ve probably found the right person for you!
Final thoughts
There’s no right or wrong way to have a relationship. But there are bare minimum standards that should be expected.
Most people want to feel loved, supported, appreciated, and happy in their relationships.
And if you do these things together, there’s a high chance that you’re happy overall – and therefore are with the right person!
But if you don’t – and you have a bad feeling about the future of your relationship – it might have run its course. And it might be time to call it quits…
