If I were to ask you: Which factor do you think is the most important one when it comes to relationships, what would you say?
Some of you may think that the key factor for a healthy relationship is connection and sexual chemistry; others will say it is honesty and communication. Well, neither is right, according to one psychologist.
John Kim, an expert in his field, he said that the most important factor in a relationship is respect.
He says that without respect a relationship could not survive. If you’ve ever been in a relationship which lacked respect, you know why respect is so important. Simply put: You can’t have a healthy relationship without respect because respect creates trust, and trust is the foundation of every great relationship.
Simply put: You can’t have a healthy relationship without respect because respect creates trust, and trust is the foundation of every great relationship.
So, let’s define respect.
Oxford dictionary defines respect as “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.”
John Kim doesn’t agree entirely with this definition. In his opinion, respect means something else in relationships. He says:
So, first, you have to ask yourself: Is there respect in your relationship? And if there is not, the most important question to ask yourself is: Have all your relationships lacked respect? Has this become a pattern in your life? If your answer is ‘yes’ then you should ask yourself – Why?
Why would you stay in a relationship without respect? You should look for the answer within yourself. Don’t blame your partner. Maybe there was respect at first, but then it slowly diminished.
Anyway, the following question arises:
How can you stop this from happening in the future?
The first and most important step is: Don’t ever compromise yourself.
If your partner doesn’t respect you and doesn’t meet your needs – it is time to call it quits. If you lower your standards and accept any kind of bullshit behavior out of love, chances are you’ll become less worthy in your partner’s eyes.
Respect yourself enough to be able to walk away from someone who doesn’t respect you.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.