Relationships can be complicated and hard to navigate, and it is all too easy to forget the bare minimum standards that should be met to have a healthy relationship.
Whether you’re just starting or have been together for years, setting these standards is an important part of creating a lasting bond.
This article will discuss 20 bare minimum standards that should be met in every relationship and how you can do better in fostering a strong and healthy relationship.
What is the bare minimum in a relationship?
The bare minimum in a relationship is the last thing that any couple should do to make sure their relationship is healthy and strong.
For example, couples need to ensure that communication, trust, and mutual respect are present in their relationship. Without these basics, the relationship won’t last long.
20 Bare Minimum Standards In Relationship
To ensure that both parties in a relationship have their needs met, there are certain bare minimum standards in a relationship that all couples should strive to follow. Here are the top 20 bare minimum standards for couples to consider when building lasting relationships.
1. Open communication
In any relationship, communication is the most important factor in forming a strong bond. Open communication allows partners to express their needs and wants without fear of judgment or criticism.
This allows your partner to feel comfortable speaking up and being fully transparent about their feelings which is essential in developing an honest, healthy relationship.
Couples can practice this through active listening and taking turns expressing their thoughts without interruption or judgment.
2. Mutual respect
Having mutual respect in a relationship is one of the bare minimum standards that should be upheld by both parties. Respect means recognizing the worth and value of each other, as well as honoring their boundaries and opinions. Without it, a partnership cannot thrive or withstand difficult times.
Mutual respect can be found in many forms – listening to each other’s points of view, apologizing when wrong, accepting differences in opinion, respecting time commitments that have been made outside of the relationship, honoring privacy, and not prying into personal matters.
When partners respect each other it creates an environment where they feel safe being themselves and sharing their feelings openly without fear of judgment.
It is also important to note that respect isn’t something you can demand from your partner; it must be given voluntarily.
3. Appropriate level of compromise
Compromise is an integral part of any relationship, and having a fair approach is essential for both parties to feel satisfied. Taking the time to understand each other’s needs and preferences can make it easier for couples to find common ground and reach compromises that benefit them both.
When compromise is done fairly, partners should be mindful of their wants as well as their partner’s needs. For example, if one partner loves going out on weekends but the other prefers staying in, they might come up with a compromise that includes some nights out at events that cater to both of their interests. This type of compromise allows each person to have some time doing what they love while also maintaining quality time together as a couple.
4. Peaceful conflict resolution
The importance of peaceful conflict resolution in relationships cannot be overstated. To maintain the health and longevity of any relationship, both parties must be able to manage and resolve their differences effectively.
Firstly, both individuals need to communicate openly and honestly with one another about whatever issue has caused friction between them.
Also, both of them should take time to listen and consider the other person’s point of view without judgment or criticism, whilst respectfully expressing their own opinions. From this basis, couples can work towards finding an amicable solution that works for everyone involved.
5. Spend quality time together
Having a healthy relationship requires effort and dedication from both partners. One of the most important aspects of any relationship is spending quality time together. Quality time can mean different things to different people, but ultimately it should consist of activities that bring joy and connection to both people.
For some couples, quality time can be as simple as going for a walk together or watching a movie together at home. It’s important to remember that quality time doesn’t always have to involve big plans or expensive outings; in fact, it’s often the small moments spent with each other that are remembered the most fondly.
For example, making dinner together, going on drives around town with music playing, or having breakfast in bed on the weekend can all be fun ways to spend quality time without breaking the bank.
6. Maintain physical connection
In a relationship, the physical connection is key. It helps to maintain trust between partners, and can also be an indicator of how invested each partner is in the relationship. Without it, couples often feel disconnected and may struggle to stay connected emotionally as well.
The physical connection doesn’t necessarily mean sex. It can encompass any type of physical contact from hugging or kissing to cuddling or holding hands.
The couple could also decide to hug each other hello when they see each other after work or kiss goodbye every time one person leaves the house even if it’s just for a few hours.
7. Mutual trust
When it comes to maintaining a relationship, trust is an essential factor for it to be successful. Trust allows individuals in the relationship to feel secure and comfortable with one another. Without trust, even the most loving relationships can become strained and broken.
To build mutual trust within a relationship, both parties need to commit to respecting each other’s boundaries and decisions without judgment or criticism. This includes being honest with one another regarding thoughts and feelings while also keeping their conversations private and confidential.
Another important element of mutual trust is supporting each other through difficult times while also having faith that they will work together towards solutions when disagreements arise.
8. Emotional support
One of the bare minimum standards for emotional support within any relationship is the ability to feel safe in expressing your emotions openly. This means having someone who accepts you unconditionally, listens actively, and empathizes with your feelings – no matter what they may be.
Having someone who can provide comfort during tough times allows for a deeper bond between two people, which is key when it comes to building lasting relationships.
9. Have the same expectation for the relationship
Having the right expectation means that you know who you are to each other and what kind of relationship you are in (casual relationship, exclusive relationship, friends with benefits, etc).
In addition to that, you should also have the same expectation for the relationship, for example, both of you are planning to get married in 3 years, to have at least two children, or you do not want to stay together with in-laws after getting married.
The couple should talk about the expectation early in the relationship can help to avoid frustration and disappointment down the road.
10. Honoring promises made
One of the main bare minimum standards in relationships is about committing to honoring promises to each other. This means that when you agree to do something, you keep your word and follow through with it no matter what happens.
An example of this might be if you promise your partner that you will pick them up from work on time, then you should depart early and be there on time even if traffic is bad.
In addition to that, you should complete your part of the house chore on time and not repeat the same mistakes in a relationship if you have promised your partner that you will not do it again.
11. Maintain appropriate financial responsibility
Another bare minimum standard couple should have is to be responsible for each other financially. This is to help couples stay on track with their finances while also protecting them from future disagreements or money-related arguments.
Examples of bare minimum standards that couples should strive for include making sure all bills are paid on time, setting up a budget, keeping track of shared expenses like groceries or rent, and creating an emergency fund for unexpected costs.
Additionally, couples should make sure that each partner plays their role in savings for a long-term goal, for example, to buy a dream house, set up a family, pay for the child’s education, or to take care of the parents who are getting older each day.
12. Being faithful to one another
One of the most important bare minimum standards in a relationship often includes being faithful. This means to maintain a commitment and staying loyal to one’s partner without straying away from the boundaries set by both parties.
For example, one should avoid flirting with someone else or engaging in physical intimacy outside the relationship. It also means not having an emotional attachment to anyone else and adhering to what was agreed upon between partners when it comes to communication, trust, and honesty.
Furthermore, being faithful may involve refraining from doing activities that could make your partner feel jealous or hurt because of your behavior.
13. Make each other feel loved
When it comes to bare minimum standards in a relationship, making sure your partner feels valued and appreciated is at the top of the list.
What does it mean to make someone feel loved? It not only means showing them you care but also taking action that shows you understand their needs and desires. This can range from surprise gifts or special outings to physical affection like hugs and kisses.
In addition, making time for each other is key. Whether that’s carving out regular date nights or just watching a movie together after work. If your partner has had a tough day, being there with kind words and a hug (or maybe with chocolates too) can help to cheer them up.
14. Feel secure in the relationship
When it comes to establishing bare minimum standards in relationships, each person should feel safe expressing their views without fear of judgment or ridicule from their partner. This allows couples to have deep conversations and bond emotionally.
In addition to that, trustworthiness also plays an important role as well. Both partners must remain loyal to each other and avoid doing things that will make their partner feel insecure.
For example, they should not flirty with others or stay overnight at the opposite gender’s house. This will cut off unnecessary jealousy and make the overall relationship stronger.
15. Do not take each other for granted
One of the major bare minimum standards that are essential in any healthy relationship is not taking your significant other for granted and showing them respect.
To create a strong foundation, both partners must show appreciation for each other. This could mean expressing gratitude for small gestures such as making dinner or doing laundry or simply saying “I love you” regularly.
It is also important to make time to be together and engage in activities that bring joy and connection. This could involve going on dates, cooking dinner together, or having conversations about what matters most.
16. You can be yourself comfortably
The most basic standard for any relationship is that both people have the right to be themselves comfortably. This means each individual should feel safe expressing their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and needs without fear of being judged or criticized.
Additionally, both parties should accept each other’s unique differences and embrace them rather than attempting to change one another. Respectful communication is key; this includes actively listening with an open mind without leaping to conclusions or assumptions about what the other person is saying.
Finally, when a disagreement arises it should be handled calmly and maturely instead of resorting to name-calling or belittling remarks.
17. Feel satisfied in bed
When it comes to relationships, everyone has the right to expect that their partner will provide them with a level of satisfaction in bed. Having bare minimum standards in this aspect of your relationship is essential for ensuring a healthy and fulfilling sex life.
First, it’s important to be open and honest with each other about your desires and needs. This means communicating openly with your partner about what turns you on, what doesn’t work for you, and how they can meet your needs.
Secondly, respect should be present between both partners during intimate moments; this includes refraining from pressuring one another into activities they don’t want to do.
Finally, couples should set boundaries together to ensure that no one feels taken advantage of or ignored in the bedroom.
18. Having equal rights
As relationships evolve and develop, it is important to ensure that both parties in the relationship have equal rights. Bare minimum standards of equality should be met to create a healthy and balanced relationship. This includes having respect for each other’s opinions, space, and freedom as well as feeling safe with one another.
Both individuals should feel empowered to make decisions in the relationship – big or small – without feeling controlled by the other person.
Additionally, privacy should always be respected and each partner should have the right to keep certain things private if they wish. No one has the right to intrude on someone else’s private space without permission.
19. Feel attracted to each other
When it comes to relationships, certain bare minimum standards should be present for the relationship to work. One of these is feeling attracted to each other. Attraction doesn’t have to be a full-blown in-love feeling, but it does need to exist for a couple to experience true emotional connection and intimacy.
Physical attraction is one type of attraction couples can feel toward each other. This means that they find each other physically appealing and enjoy spending time together because of this physical connection.
Another type of attraction couples can experience is emotional attraction. This involves being drawn toward each other’s personality, interests, beliefs, and values, rather than simply physical qualities.
Finally, intellectual attraction involves enjoying conversations with each other due to mutual respect and understanding on various topics.
20. Accept yourself for who you are
At the most basic level, one should never have to apologize or change themselves to be accepted by their partner. Everyone has unique qualities that make them special and should be embraced rather than dismissed or judged harshly. A partner should not expect their significant other to conform to certain standards if it does not feel authentic or natural, as this can lead to resentment over time.
Additionally, a partner should accept the other’s flaws and mistakes without harsh criticism or judgment; understanding that everyone makes mistakes in life is essential in cultivating an environment of safety and respect within the relationship.
With that being said, if your partner has some unhealthy habits like excessive eating, smoking, or misuse of drugs, it is alright to advise them to replace it with a better and healthier habit.
Examples of bare minimum in a relationship
The phrase “bare minimum” refers to actions in a relationship that is just enough to keep it going, but not necessarily enough for true growth and connection. Examples of this type of behavior can include only saying what’s necessary when communicating with your partner or never putting to make them feel special.
The bare minimum also means taking action only as much as you need to avoid negative consequences such as arguments or breakups. This could involve responding quickly when your partner reaches out, but not necessarily engaging in meaningful conversations. It could also include attending events they invite you to, even if you don’t have an enthusiasm for attending them yourself.
In short, the bare minimum involves doing the least amount possible while still keeping one’s relationship afloat.
How to do more than just the bare minimum in a relationship
Being in a relationship is more than just the bare minimum. It’s about taking extra steps to show your partner that they are valued and appreciated. Doing small things like sending a text to let them know you’re thinking of them or surprising them with flowers can mean so much. It’s important to make sure you are consistently showing your partner how much they mean to you.
There are plenty of ways to do more than just the bare minimum in any kind of relationship whether it’s romantic or platonic. Going out of your way for someone, even if it’s something as simple as cooking their favorite meal, is an excellent way to show that person you care about them without saying anything at all.