Relationships

Relationships are a common bond that connects two or more people together.  This can include friendships, parents, or a romantic partner. Relationships are a crucial part of life since we are social beings (humans are wired for connection).  We spend many meaningful moments of our lives through relationships.  It is through relationships that we thrive, learn, and grow.

Types of Relationships: 

• Platonic (friends)
• Romantic (girlfriend, boyfriend, partner, etc.)
• Codependent (Codependency is a circular relationship in which one person needs the other person, who in turn, needs to be needed. The codependent person, known as ‘the giver,’ feels worthless unless they are needed by — and making sacrifices for — the enabler, otherwise known as ‘the taker.')
• Casual (often involves intercourse without commitment)
• Open (a consensual and non-monogamous relationships where each partner can have intercourse with members not included in the relationship)
• Toxic (an unhealthy relationship that harms somebody emotionally, physically, or psychologically) 

Platonic Relationships:

A platonic relationship is a relationship in which two people share a close bond but do not have a sexual relationship. Members in the relationship might often feel love, often referred to as platonic love. This term can apply to both opposite and same-sex relationships. 

Platonic Vs. Romantic:

A platonic relationship is one that is often known for having friends and acquaintances. Although you are not romantically or sexually attracted to this person, you might feel love and appreciation for them as a person.

A romantic relationship is one that is often affiliated with crushes, boyfriend, girlfriends, partners, and spouses. According to https://www.lawinsider.com/dictionary/romantic-relationship, “Romantic relationship means a consensual relationship between individuals of a romantic or intimate nature.” 

Benefits of Platonic Relationships:

• Creates trust and balance as you learn to freely open up in front of others and create that sense of comfortability that can assist you in various types of relationships in the future. 
• A feeling of belonging as you find people that have similar interests and beliefs and fit in with a crowd that’s similar to your own.
• An ability to maintain healthy relationships as you learn communication, compromise, and boundaries. 
• Creates happiness and serotonin boosters throughout the mind. The love, support, and care that is brought to you by your friends brings happiness as well.

How to maintain a healthy, platonic relationship:

In platonic relationships, both or all members of the party want to be included and appreciated in the relationship. A platonic relationship is a building block for development for all ages and can contribute to a happy and healthy lifestyle. Some ways to keep that platonic relationship healthy, is to revert from romantically flirting, set ground rules, and to be comfortable around that person. 

How to cope from an ending of a relationship:

• Give yourself time to grieve

Losing a relationship often requires lots of time to grieve. In many cases, grieving involves five steps: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Let yourself be sad. It is a human’s first instinct to try and avoid pain and in relationship form, people find themselves trying to distract themselves with other things to forget about the emotional pain. The best way to deal with emotions is to face them. If this cannot be achieved by yourself, reach out to people you feel comfortable with for help. 

• Find the benefits

Take some time to reflect on what you’ve learned through this relationship. Was there something you liked? What did you not like? You can now take this experience and set boundaries for future relationships. Practice gratitude for the experience and the positive and perhaps bad lessons it has taught you. 

Codependent Relationship:

According to https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319873, “A codependent relationship is when one partner needs the other partner, who in turn, needs to be needed. This circular relationship is the basis of what experts refer to when they describe the “cycle” of codependency.”. This can often be played off as ‘clingy’ or ‘obsessive’. Codependent relationships aren’t limited to one group of relationships and can be found in platonic, romantic, toxic, casual, and open relationships.

What is the difference between a codependent and a dependent relationship?

A dependent relationship is when both parties make their relationship a priority, but can find joy in outside interests, other friends, and hobbies. The members may rely on each other for love and support and value each other but don’t revolve their lives around said relationship.

A codependent relationship is an occasion where each member of the relationship has little or no personal interests or values outside of their codependent relationship. A member might feel worthless unless needed by their partner(s). 

Open Relationship:

An Open Relationship is a consensual and non-monogamous relationship where each partner can have intercourse with members not included in the relationship.

Benefits of Open Relationships:

• It may help avoid a breakup
• Jealousy won't be a problem throughout the relationship 
• Improves communication and trust within each other
• Allows you to investigate different elements of your sexual identity
• Won’t need to rely on your partner for everything
• A good option for partners who want to stay together but also see other people

How to maintain a healthy Open Relationship:

The main key for an Open Relationship to work is making sure you set boundaries towards one another. You need to establish rules, stay in touch with each other, figure out how often you will check in with each other, and overall honesty and trust in the relationship.

Causal Relationship:

A Casual Relationship is when two people engage in an emotional and physical relationship without a relationship label. It’s a not-so-serious relationship where they go out together and prioritize physical intimacy (often involves intercourse without commitment)

When you want to satisfy your sexual needs without having to commit to someone

The whole point of being in a relationship is to enjoy yourself and your partner in whatever context works for you.

Benefits of a Casual Relationship:

• Explore sexual preferences 
• Stay independent and free from boundaries
• It's a healthy relationship as long as you keep communicating with one another
• Friends with benefits without having to commit to someone

Casual VS Open Relationships:

Casual: 

• No commitment
• No explanations to give

Open: 

• Able to have other lovers
• Committed to a relationship but able to see other people

Toxic Relationship:

A Toxic Relationship is an unhealthy relationship that harms somebody emotionally, physically, or psychologically.

It makes you feel unsupported, misunderstood, demeaned, attacked, damages self-esteem and drains energy. IT IS NOT A SAFE PLACE. A toxic relationship is characterized by insecurity, self-centeredness, dominance, and control.

How to leave a Toxic Relationship:

• Get emotional support from friends and family
• Remove contact of each other 

How to avoid a Toxic Relationship:

• Communicate clearly with one another
• Avoid jealousy and clear misunderstandings

How to move on after a Toxic Relationship:

• Start therapy/find support and MAKE SURE to take care of yourself

Signs of a Toxic Relationship:

• Tend to not spend too much time together 
• Sometimes, dealing with a toxic relationship can lead you to withdraw from friends and family
• Don't show respect towards each other and are often hurting each other verbally 
• Jealousy that leads onto mistrust
• One person in the relationship is often controlling towards the other
• Dishonesty and disrespect towards each other
• Hoping for partner to change/ignoring red flags