Healthy expectations

We all have expectations that shape what we need and want from our relationships, and our expectations may not all be the same.

All people want to feel loved, happy, and respected in their relationships. Understanding your own and your partner(s) relationship expectations can help you know what about a relationship will make you feel fulfilled. Expectations are the characteristics and behaviors you look for in a relationship. Our expectations help us feel safe, comfortable, and connected to each other.

What that looks like might be different for each of us, based on our personalities and what we think is important. For example, some people are happiest when they have a lot of social time and may expect their partners to spend a lot of time with them, whereas other people need and want more space and expect more time alone, away from their partners. These are both different but equally healthy expectations for relationships that are based on individual needs.

Having expectations about how you want your relationships to function and feel is normal and, when communicated with your partner, can help make sure your relationship needs are met.