Article: There’s a saying that “love is all you need”, but along with that, everyone needs respect. If there’s no respect, is there love? Often, respect is a two-way street; if it’s not given, it’s not received. Be sure to treat your partner with respect just as much as you want him or her to respect you. Most importantly, have respect for yourself. Treat yourself with respect and dignity. Don’t be in a relationship just because you’re lonely, and don’t let your partner walk all over you. For more information on how to respect yourself, check out How to Respect Yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in feelings, but it’s also important to think about your partner in terms of what kind of person he or she is. What are your partner’s values and personality traits? Think about how these things affect you and your relationship. If your partner treats friends and family in a way you dislike, it’s likely that you and your partner have different values in how to treat others. It may be difficult to come to an agreement on how to treat each other in a way that feels good to both of you. Think about what you value in a partner, or what you consider your “non-negotiables”. If you value having a very mutual relationship yet the current one seems off balance, ask yourself if that’s something you can compromise on or not.  Think of all the values you have in a partner and in a relationship, then compare them with your reality right now. What are you willing to compromise with, and what are not unwilling to put up with? It’s unlikely you will meet someone who meets all of your “criterias”, so be willing to compromise in certain areas.  Remember it’s up to you where you choose to compromise. Especially at the beginning of a relationship, it’s easy to mistake attraction and physical intimacy for love. It’s important to make the distinction between sex and love. Ask yourself about what the relationship fulfills for you, and what it fulfills for your partner. Make sure that you and your significant other are on the same page; if one of you thinks the relationship is casual and the other views it as serious, it’s likely you will treat each other differently and find unhappiness soon along the way. You may treat each other differently or expect treatment from the other based on your own expectations. Be clear on your intentions in the relationship with each other. If you are unclear about nature of the relationship, or you are unclear about how your partner’s feels, talk about it.

What is a summary?
Prioritize respect. Evaluate your partner. Reflect on your values. Remember that sex doesn’t equate to love. Assess compatibility.