Full List of What You Deserve in a Relationship

When it comes to relationships, it’s easy to lose sight of what you truly deserve, especially when you’re deeply invested in someone. Many people enter relationships with high hopes but end up compromising more than they should, often forgetting that healthy, fulfilling relationships should be a two-way street.

No matter where you are in your relationship journey, whether you’re single, dating, or married, you deserve to be treated with respect, kindness, and love. Relationships should elevate you, make you feel supported, and allow you to be your authentic self. If you’re wondering what you deserve in a relationship, here is a full list of things that everyone deserves to experience in a healthy, loving partnership.

Table of Contents

1. Respect

Respect is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship. Without it, everything else falls apart. You deserve a partner who values you for who you are, treats you with dignity, and listens to your thoughts and feelings.

Why It’s Important:

Mutual respect builds trust: When both partners respect each other, they create a foundation of trust and understanding, allowing for open and honest communication.
Respecting boundaries: Your emotional, physical, and mental boundaries should always be respected.

What You Deserve:

A partner who respects your opinions, feelings, and boundaries without hesitation or manipulation.
Someone who treats you with kindness, whether you’re alone or in public.

2. Trust

Trust is a non-negotiable factor in a relationship. Without trust, the foundation of the relationship becomes fragile, and doubt and insecurity start to take over. You deserve a partner who is honest, transparent, and reliable.

Why It’s Important:

Trust creates safety: When you trust each other, you can relax, be vulnerable, and have a deeper emotional connection.
Reduces unnecessary stress: Knowing you can rely on your partner for support and honesty reduces anxiety and fosters peace of mind.

What You Deserve:

A partner who keeps their promises and is honest with you.
Someone who works together with you to build trust and address any concerns as a team.

3. Emotional Support

You deserve a partner who is there for you during your highs and lows—someone who offers emotional support when you need it most. This includes being there to listen, empathize, and offer comfort when you’re feeling down.

Why It’s Important:

Support strengthens your bond: Being emotionally supported helps you feel safe and understood, which strengthens the relationship.
Encourages growth: Emotional support helps you grow and deal with challenges in a healthy way, knowing someone is rooting for you.

What You Deserve:

A partner who listens when you speak and genuinely cares about your emotional well-being.
Someone who encourages you, celebrates your achievements, and helps you get through difficult times.

4. Effort and Commitment

Relationships take work from both parties. You deserve a partner who is committed to making the relationship thrive, even when life gets tough. This means putting in effort, being present, and prioritizing your connection.

Why It’s Important:

Effort builds connection: Relationships require ongoing effort, whether it’s through quality time, acts of kindness, or communicating openly.
Shows you’re valued: When your partner is committed and puts in effort, it shows that you are a priority in their life.

What You Deserve:

A partner who is willing to work with you through challenges, compromising when needed, and maintaining a positive connection.
Someone who consistently makes time for you, even during busy moments.

5. Mutual Love and Affection

You deserve a relationship where love is shown both in words and actions. Physical affection, kind gestures, and verbal affirmations of love are essential to feeling valued and cared for in a relationship.

Why It’s Important:

Reaffirms emotional bonds: Physical affection, whether it’s hugs, kisses, or even holding hands, reinforces emotional intimacy.
Keeps the connection alive: Love and affection are what keep relationships passionate and fulfilling, ensuring you don’t just grow emotionally distant.

What You Deserve:

A partner who regularly expresses their love for you through both words and actions.
Someone who makes you feel loved and valued through regular physical and verbal affection.

6. Shared Goals and Values

You deserve a partner who shares your core values and has similar long-term goals. Having shared visions for the future strengthens the relationship and makes the partnership more meaningful and aligned.

Why It’s Important:

Alignment fosters teamwork: When you and your partner are on the same page, it’s easier to navigate challenges and make decisions together.
Strengthens the bond: Having common goals creates a sense of shared purpose, which can deepen your emotional connection.

What You Deserve:

A partner who shares similar values about important aspects of life (e.g., family, career, lifestyle) and works with you to achieve mutual goals.
Someone who is willing to grow with you and adapt to change, while still maintaining those shared values.

7. Independence and Space

While togetherness is important, you also deserve the freedom to be yourself. A healthy relationship allows each person to maintain their individuality, passions, and independence, while still being fully committed to one another.

Why It’s Important:

Maintains self-identity: A strong relationship doesn’t require losing yourself. Keeping your individuality allows both partners to grow in their own ways, which ultimately strengthens the relationship.
Prevents suffocation: Everyone needs space, and respecting this need for personal time or pursuits is key to keeping the relationship healthy and balanced.

What You Deserve:

A partner who respects your need for personal space, allowing you to pursue your hobbies, friendships, and career.
Someone who encourages you to grow and thrive independently, while still offering support when needed.

8. Respect for Your Boundaries

In a healthy relationship, boundaries are sacred. You deserve a partner who respects your emotional, physical, and personal boundaries. Whether it’s time for yourself, how you communicate, or your physical comfort zone, boundaries should always be honored.

Why It’s Important:

Ensures mutual respect: When both partners respect each other’s boundaries, it shows a deep level of care and consideration.
Promotes emotional safety: Boundaries protect your emotional well-being, allowing you to feel safe and secure in the relationship.

What You Deserve:

A partner who listens to and respects your personal boundaries, whether that’s how you communicate, how much time you need for yourself, or anything else important to you.
Someone who discusses and understands boundaries with you, rather than pushing against them.

9. Growth and Evolution

You deserve a relationship that encourages personal growth and transformation. A good relationship should inspire both partners to become better versions of themselves and evolve as individuals and as a couple.

Why It’s Important:

Fosters development: A relationship that encourages growth leads to personal development, both individually and together.
Keeps things exciting: Constant growth ensures that you’re not stuck in a routine, but rather evolving and thriving together.

What You Deserve:

A partner who supports your goals, dreams, and ambitions, and encourages you to grow in all aspects of your life.
Someone who is open to change and willing to grow alongside you in the relationship.

10. Fun and Playfulness

A relationship should bring joy and laughter. You deserve a partner who knows how to have fun, lighten the mood, and bring out the playful side in you. Life can get stressful, but having someone who can make you smile, laugh, and enjoy life’s lighter moments is essential.

Why It’s Important:

Relieves stress: Playfulness and laughter are powerful tools for managing stress and building a sense of connection.
Enhances emotional bonding: Shared moments of fun and joy create stronger emotional connections, keeping the relationship positive and fulfilling.

What You Deserve:

A partner who is willing to let loose, have fun, and laugh with you—even during tough times.
Someone who brings joy and lightness into your life, balancing out the challenges with moments of happiness.

Conclusion

In a relationship, you deserve respect, love, trust, emotional support, and so much more. Healthy relationships are built on mutual understanding, shared goals, and the freedom to grow both individually and together. Remember that it’s not about perfection—it’s about being with someone who encourages you to be your best self while respecting who you already are.

As you navigate your relationship, keep these qualities in mind and ensure that you’re being treated with the love and respect you deserve. And if you ever find that your needs aren’t being met, don’t be afraid to communicate them. A healthy relationship thrives on open communication, compromise, and a commitment to each other’s well-being.

FAQs

How do I communicate my needs in a relationship?
Start by expressing your feelings clearly and respectfully. Use “I” statements (e.g., “I feel…”) and explain why certain things are important to you.
What if my partner isn’t meeting my emotional needs?
Have a calm and open conversation about what you need emotionally. If necessary, consider seeking couples therapy to improve communication and strengthen the emotional bond.
What if my partner doesn’t respect my boundaries?
It’s essential to set clear boundaries and reinforce them. If they continue to be disregarded, it may be a sign that the relationship isn’t healthy.
How can I ensure I’m growing in a relationship?
Encourage personal growth and mutual support. Set individual goals while also making time for the relationship to grow and evolve together.
What should I do if I feel my partner isn’t having fun with me anymore?
Check in with your partner and ask how they’re feeling. Relationships go through phases, and it’s important to rekindle fun and excitement through shared activities or quality time.