Relationships are the connections between people that help you feel supported, loved, and cared about. They can be romantic or platonic, and can be in-person or virtual. People in meaningful relationships have a deep emotional connection with each other, and they share joys, concerns, and needs.
A healthy relationship is one where both partners put effort into the relationship and work as a team to overcome barriers that may come up. The two partners are also there for each other, and they support their goals and dreams. They make each other smile when they’re down, and they understand them even when they can’t quite understand themselves. They are a source of strength and encouragement for each other, and they motivate each other to be the best version of themselves.
Intimacy is often synonymous with sex, but it can also be related to things like kissing, cuddling, and sleeping together. You can also have a physical intimacy in your relationship without having sex, but as long as you and your partner are on the same page about your desires.
In some cases, people stay in a relationship because they’re worried about being alone or don’t know how to be on their own. But a healthy relationship should be about working together to reach your goals, and the people in it should be helping you grow into your full potential. If you’re worried about being in a toxic or unhealthy relationship, take the steps necessary to find something better for yourself.