How to Prepare Yourself for a Healthy Relationship: 12 Key Steps

Relationship readiness involves developing emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and communication skills. Research shows that individuals with high self-awareness navigate conflicts better and maintain identity within partnerships. Successful couples learn to manage disagreements well and understand each other deeply. Preparing for a healthy relationship focuses on personal growth rather than achieving perfection, allowing for genuine intimacy. It is essential to become someone who can love generously while still maintaining individual identity.

"The healthiest relationships aren't built by perfect people, but by individuals who've done the work to understand themselves and relate to others with intention and skill."

"When you invest time in understanding your own emotional patterns, communication style, and relationship needs, you create space for genuine intimacy rather than projection or codependency."

Read at The Gottman Institute