Staying in a relationship that provides no respect, and watering a dead plant- both are a waste of time and effort. In any relationship, respect is the key element that you shouldn’t look past. Without it, no two individuals can create a healthy environment to grow together in love and affection.
One of the key importance of respect in a relationship is that it is the root that keeps a bond standing strong against all odds. Respect takes a relationship to a long-lasting destination. And it also teaches how to develop mutual understanding and trust to get along well. It develops a sense of acceptance that makes a relationship liberating.
In this article, I have provided 5 reasons why respect is important in a relationship so that you know what to expect in a healthy relationship. Also, the article incorporates the consequences of being in a relationship where there is no respect between partners.
Why Respect Is Important in a Relationship?
Showing respect comes in many forms. And without getting respect you cannot expect to keep a healthy relationship with someone. In a relationship where there is no respect between partners, there will be conflict, someone will be hurt and both of you will be miserable.
Here are 5 reasons why I think respect is vital for a healthy relationship:
1. Acceptance
Developing a sense of acceptance towards each other is necessary to get along well in any relationship. And it is respect that facilitates acceptance.
If two individuals respect each other, they tend to accept each other as they are. When you are respected for who you are, you do not need to pull off a fake perfectionism in order to feel accepted. Naturally, you both will gravitate towards each other without trying too hard to adjust. And the relationship will feel more liberating.
Once you feel accepted by the other, you can wear your heart on your sleeve. Because you know that your feelings will not be judged.
Acceptance makes you contemplate that nobody is perfect and everyone has their own share of flaws and imperfections. Nobody is cut out to be the best in everything they do. So, if there’s mutual respect in your relationship, your imperfections will not be used against you. Rather your efforts will be counted and appreciated.
2. Mutual Understanding
Being able to read or understand each other is necessary for forming a healthy relationship. And having respect towards each other makes it easier to develop mutual understanding. Being respectful towards each other’s choices and circumstances forms the basis of mutual understanding.
There comes a phase in life when you cannot be all sunshine and rainbows. And during that phase, it is important to be understood by your partner. Because during your breakdowns it will completely shut you off from everyone, and it can affect your bond. But a sense of understanding can save your bond.
If you both respect each other, you will understand that it is human to have breakdowns and to require some “me time”. You both will realize that sometimes solitude is necessary to get yourself back on track. And it is none of your fault to require some solitude from time to time. You both will tend to respect and understand each other’s low phases without a second thought.
Mutual understanding is also necessary for respecting each other’s boundaries. And you definitely want to get along with someone who understands your boundaries and never tries to transform you into someone you are not.
Once you have a mutual understanding for each other, you both can live in harmony even if your life choices are poles apart. Whether you maintain a strict vegan diet chart or your partner prefers to socialize less, you both will not force each other to come out of the comfort zones. Because you both understand that respecting each other’s boundaries is also a form of love.
3. Strengthens Trust
Nurturing respect in a relationship works as the building block for trusting each other. And trust is the wind beneath your wings that helps you to maintain a healthy bond that doesn’t feel toxic or forced.
Once both of you start respecting each other, you will understand the need to maintain trust. You both will be considerate enough not to cause any immoral act that can disregard or hurt each other’s feelings. And if anyone makes a mistake, s/he will be willing to correct it in order to maintain the trust.
You will notice that nurturing trust will save you from having many unnecessary disputes. Because trust makes you contemplate the other side of the story instead of jumping into a disagreement over silly issues.
4. Long-Lasting Relationship
Love alone cannot often save your relationship from falling apart. Respect is required as well to get yourself through all the thick and thin. It makes you stick together in the long run.
In every kind of relationship, the bond seems to get stagnant after a point in time. But if you respect the bond you share, you will not give up on your relationship by putting the blame on the other. Rather, you both will work on the flaws to rejuvenate your relationship.
5. You Feel Valued
If you do not feel valued and appreciated for having your own stands or while you confide in, you will tend to lose the attachment gradually. But when the other person respects you enough, they listen to you actively without any interruption. They will make you feel heard and valued so that you do not regret opening up.
Also, if there’s mutual respect, you will not go around questioning your self-worth. Because they will reciprocate the same efforts as you do to make you feel worthwhile. And you will not be taken for granted.
How Does It Feel to Be in a Relationship with No Respect?
If you decide to continue a relationship that has no respect to provide, you should always keep its upsetting consequences in mind. Now, let’s take a look at what happens if you continue in a relationship where there is no respect between partners.
Relationship becomes Toxic
No matter how good of a term you start your relationship, it will become toxic gradually due to the lack of respect. And it will be driven by dominance and self-centeredness.
Your feelings will not be taken into consideration if the other person shows no form of respect. Rather, it is very likely that you will be questioned for not being able to make things alright. And during the decision-making process, your opinions will be disregarded.
It will be toxic to drag such a relationship any further. Because, in many cases, the lack of respect leads to domestic violence as well. And there will be no respect for your personal space and comfort. You will be only expected to contribute to the other’s well-being but you.
If you do not take a stand for your own self-respect and continue dealing with such a relationship, you are making a way for the other to take sadistic pleasure from your miseries.
You Will Feel Left Out
It is dreadful when two people are together, yet they feel lonely. You will notice that you will not be able to connect with the person that treats you with no respect. And because of that you will feel left out even in the presence of your significant other.
It is human to seek a safe place where they can confide in during their lowest. But you will not be able to count on your significant other if there’s a lack of respect in the relationship. Because they will listen to you for the sake of responding only. They will not try to perceive the gravitas of your situation.
Also, if you face any unlikely situation in public, they will not take a stand for you. Because they do not respect you enough to make your honor their priority. Rather, they will be more concerned to save their face instead of helping you out. And you will be left out on your own wondering where it all went wrong.
Conclusion
Even the highest form of love and affection can fade away if a relationship is not coupled with respect. If you realize the importance of respect in a relationship, you will never settle for less. And your relationship will not fall apart leaving you in despair.
In this article, I’ve provided 5 reasons why respect is important in a relationship. Hope it could provide you with some insights regarding how to form a healthy relationship on the basis of respect. Thank you for reading. I wish you all the best in life.
