6 Needs That Are The Absolute Bare Minimum In A Relationship

If you’re in a relationship with someone, you should be receiving and giving more than just the bare minimum.

Here are 6 needs that are the absolute bare minimum in a relationship:

Respect.

Mutual respect is essential in any relationship. Both you and your partner should value and appreciate each other’s thoughts, feelings, boundaries, and individuality. When you respect one another, it creates a solid foundation and a safe space.

Respect is really the bare minimum in any relationship. It’s about being considerate of your partner’s time, energy, and love. It’s about remembering their birthday, giving compliments (because who doesn’t love a good compliment?), asking questions, apologizing when you’re wrong or have made a mistake, putting in the effort to get to know them on a deeper level, and making them feel special and important outside of the bedroom. It’s about being considerate of your partner simply because they are human and they deserve that.

Communication.

Not everyone is good at talking about their feelings or expressing their needs. Some people are afraid of being “too needy” or “too much” for their partner, so they simply hold back. Some people avoid confrontation and conflict when/if it arises. Some people are simply too emotionally detached and unavailable and have a hard time being vulnerable.

Communication is a bare minimum need in any relationship. No relationship can survive without empathy and compassion, active listening, patience, and the willingness to have hard conversations.

Trust.

Every relationship should have a foundation of trust. Without it, the relationship is hopeless. Both partners need to feel secure and confident in the relationship and in each other. Building trust in the relationship depends on consistent actions, keeping promises, and good communication. Loyalty is hard to come by these days, but it’s deeply important and something you have to work at.

Emotional support.

You and your partner should provide comfort, validation, and understanding for one another. Emotional support is about creating a safe space for each other to open up emotionally, to be vulnerable, and to express your feelings without judgment or rejection.

Not only that, but you and your partner should be supportive of each other’s goals and dreams. You should push each other to do your best, to inspire you, to remind you of your worth, and that you can do anything you set your mind to.

Quality time and connection.

No matter what your love language is, spending quality time together is crucial for maintaining a strong bond. You have to want to build a connection with your partner just as much as you want to spend time with them. You should find a friend in your partner, and vice versa. Go out for date night once a week, make breakfast together, or take a little vacation together. Do something that both of you will enjoy.

Personal space.

This kinda ties into respect, too. While spending time together is important, it’s just as important for each partner to have their own space and independence. You don’t want to feel suffocated — physically or emotionally — in your relationship. Sometimes you might not want to cuddle with your partner before bed and that’s okay. Sometimes your partner might not want to invite you to the movies because they just want a night to themselves and that’s okay. It’s crucial to respect each other’s personal boundaries and allow each other to pursue interests outside of the relationship.