Healthy Traits For Men To Search For In A Potential Partner
This article is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.
Many men desire to have a partner, whether they’re seeking something casual or long-term. Having a significant other can bring happiness, companionship, and stability to a man’s life, enriching them in ways they wouldn’t get to experience while single. However, choosing a partner can be challenging, as people often present the best versions of themselves in the beginning and slowly reveal their true colors as the relationship goes on.
While there’s nothing men can do to predict or control the future, they can help themselves by searching for certain traits in those in the dating pool. Understanding which traits are healthy can allow men to streamline their search for a potential partner who shares the same values and can meet their needs. It can also help them avoid getting into a relationship with someone they won’t be compatible or happy with. Below, we’ll explore some of these healthy qualities.
Healthy Traits Men Should Look For
The person you choose as your partner will have the ability to affect your mood and quality of life, making it important to choose wisely. Relationships can either add to your life or create hardship. Many people have experienced trauma from being in a toxic relationship. Although sites like BetterHelp offer online therapy to work through these challenges, it can take considerable time before some people feel comfortable giving dating another chance.
To start your search off on the right foot, try looking for individuals who have the following traits:
Honest: It’s crucial that you feel comfortable enough with your partner to tell them the truth, and that they feel safe enough with you to do the same. Honesty builds trust, which is the foundation for any relationship. Being honest doesn’t mean being hurtful or mean, as there are plenty of ways to say what you need to while remaining sensitive to the other person’s feelings. If you keep catching a potential partner in lies, it could be an indication that the relationship won’t be able to be built on solid footing.
Empathetic: Empathy plays a critical role in a relationship, as it allows partners to grow closer and understand one another’s perspectives. Every couple has its differences, and any two people are bound to disagree at some point or another. However, when partners have empathy for one another, they’re able to look past these differences and see where the other is coming from. Potential partners who take the time to get to know and understand you while sharing in your pain or hurt likely possess high levels of empathy.
Trustworthy: Trustworthiness and honesty go hand in hand. Without honesty, there cannot be trust, and vice versa. Establishing trust in your relationship is what will allow you and your partner to grow closer in intimacy. When you feel safe opening up to them about your thoughts, feelings, and past, you’re trusting that they won’t judge you for what you say or use your insecurities against you. Trustworthy individuals are easier to be vulnerable with because you know they’ll have your back. It can be nearly impossible to form a healthy relationship with a partner who continually betrays your trust.
Respectful: Respectfulness means being accepting of someone even if you don’t understand them and treating them right even when you don’t agree with them. Partners can show respect for one another through their words, actions, and behaviors, especially when the other isn’t around. If your partner takes your thoughts, feelings, desires, and boundaries into consideration, they’re showing that they hold you in high regard. People who speak badly about their significant other behind their back, don’t listen, or are only concerned with getting their way may be lacking this quality.
Loyal: Loyalty is essential to a strong, lasting, and fulfilling relationship. It involves having each other’s backs, being faithful, and staying committed even during tough times. While it can be easy to leave a relationship when there’s conflict, loyal partners are more concerned with working through the issue by coming to a compromise or finding a solution. Finding a partner who you know won’t give up on you or betray you can increase the intimacy, connection, and trust in your relationship.
Caring: When your partner cares about you, they’ll naturally want to make you happy, show affection, and treat you well. If you’re going through something difficult, they’ll be there to offer support and encouragement, seeking to relieve your distress and remind you that you’re not alone. Caring also means wanting the relationship to succeed and staying kind even during conflict.
Each of these traits can be expressed physically or verbally. For example, your partner may say things like, “I wouldn’t want to be with anyone else but you” to show loyalty or “I’ve never told anyone else that before” to communicate their trust in you. They might cuddle up to you when you’re feeling sad or make it a point to kiss you each day you come home from work, showing their empathetic, caring side.
Know What You’re Looking For
Although men are often aware of the complexity of navigating the dating world, they may not realize that failing to look for certain traits could be holding them back. While it might be challenging to assess potential partners and pick out a solid match, this process tends to be harder for men who don’t know what they’re looking for.
The traits listed above can serve as roadmaps for finding a potential partner with whom a healthy and happy relationship can be built. Partners who possess honesty, empathy, trustworthiness, respect, loyalty, and caring can help foster a strong bond in which the lines of communication are kept open and conflict results in deeper intimacy and understanding. Ultimately, prioritizing these qualities can lead to a fulfilling relationship in which both people feel valued, supported, and loved.