What is the difference between a healthy relationship and a toxic relationship? In a toxic relationship, only the toxic person and their needs and wants matter, and in a healthy relationship, both the partners matter equally, be it their needs, wants, desires and opinions. That my friend is relationship equality right there. It’s a very important thing, but unfortunately, not every relationship has it.

Having the ‘I, Me, Myself’ mentality is never going to help you sustain your relationship in the long term, and most importantly, the other person will never be happy. And it will be just a matter of time before the relationship ends. In today’s day and age, relationship equality has become non-negotiable, and rightly so! When you have equality, your relationship and both of you will be mentally and emotionally fulfilled.

Here Are 6 Things That Can Help You Build Relationship Equality

1. Both Partners’ Needs Should Matter Equally.

In every healthy relationship, both the partners matter, and both their likes, dislikes, desires, boundaries, and wishes matter. Being in a good relationship means taking into consideration what your partner wants, and accommodating their needs too. Never make your partner feel that their feelings and opinions are stupid or not important enough. Imagine how you would feel if you went to them for some emotional support because you are having a hard time and they behaved as if it’s not a big deal.

Never make each other feel irrelevant and unimportant, as that’s one of the worst things you can do to your relationship. Both of you should always feel comfortable enough to talk about your personal stuff, without constantly thinking that it’s annoying the other person. Treat your partner the way YOU would want to be treated.

Related: 12 Step Guide To Expand Your Relationship Intelligence

2. Respect Should Always Come First.

Respect is probably the most important cornerstone of every relationship, and without it, there is no hope for a relationship to last. Sometimes, respect is even more important than love. If you don’t respect each other, then why are you with each other? Respecting your partner is non-negotiable, and should never be taken casually and lightly.

All those couples who respect each other a lot always make sure that there is room for both of them in the relationship. There is no ‘I’, only ‘Us’, and this mindset can single-handedly help you take your relationship to new heights. The best ways to prioritize respect in your relationship are the following:

• Open and transparent communication.
• Emotionally and mentally supporting each other in everything.
• Being kind to each other.
• Acknowledging and respecting each other’s boundaries.
• Letting the other person talk without constantly interrupting them.
• Both partners making equal sacrifices and compromises.

Relationships that don’t have respect can quickly turn unhappy and toxic, and have no chance of surviving the test of time. So, respecting each other is one of the best things you can do, not just for the relationship, but for each other as well.

3. Having A Strong Friendship Is Very Important.

Having a strong friendship can help you build relationship equality; love is more than just romance, it is about being best friends with each other too. Think about the kind of relationship you have with your closest friends, and how you have similar hobbies and interests, and most importantly, how you can talk to them about anything and everything. Now imagine doing that with your partner. How amazing does it feel?

When you love each other, and are best friends with each other, it does not just help in building relationship equality, but also loyalty, trust, and openness. Being in a relationship is more than just sexual intimacy, it is about emotional and mental intimacy too.

Related: How To Tell If You’re In A Healthy Relationship (When You’ve Never Had One Before)

4. Having Shared Opinions About Your Sex Life.

Sex is always a very important part of every relationship, but at the same time, can be a sensitive topic too. If both of you are not on the same page regarding sex, it can lead to a lot of misunderstandings, and miscommunication. Sex should always be a mutual decision, and something that both of you share, not something that you feel you have to just ‘do’.

Most importantly, sex should never be controlled by one partner, nor should someone be forced and coerced into having it. That is straight out disturbing, toxic, and unhealthy. Studies have shown that open and healthy sexual communication leads to higher relationship satisfaction for both partners. Make sure that you are open and honest with each other when it comes to talking about this. Make it more passionate and interesting by talking about what turns you on, what doesn’t, and how frequently sex should happen.

5. Being Equal Partners In The Relationship.

One of the best ways to build relationship equality is by sharing your lives together, and being equal partners in everything that you do. Creating a partnership can help you so much in making sure that your relationship remains strong and healthy, even after you have spent quite a few years together with each other. When you don’t treat your significant other as your equal partner, you are giving off the vibe that only you matter in this relationship.

Some of the best ways to create an equal partnership are the following:

• Helping each other out whenever needed.
• Working hard equally when it comes to building a life together.
• Talking to each other before making any major decisions, and buying really expensive things.
• Opening up about what is going on in both of your lives.
• Making an effort to know each other’s family and friends more intimately.

Related: 8 Things That Couples In Healthy Relationships Should Never Say

6. Supporting And Being There For Each Other.

This one is obvious, isn’t it? Providing mental and emotional support is one of the best things you can do for each other. In a happy relationship, one partner’s desires and needs never overshadow the other’s, and both of you have equal standing in the relationship. Both partners should support each other in their endeavors, goals, and dreams, without insulting and belittling each other.

There are many other ways through which you can show your support, such as trying to resolve problems, making your home stress-free as much as you can, not saying unkind and horrible things when having a fight, expressing emotional affection, and assuring each other that no matter what happens, you will always be there for them. These might seem like small gestures but can make a world of difference to your relationship.

Not every relationship has equality, but that does not mean that it cannot be created. If your relationship does not feel equal, then keep these tips in mind, and with time see for yourself, how better your relationship gets.