Relationships are important to all of us.  Humans thrive on relationships.  Intimate partnerships are even more important because they are considered adult attachment relationships, where there’s a similar need for safety, security and connection, as there was when you were very young and relied on your parents / primary caregivers.

There are things you and your partner can both do to improve the quality of your relationship.

Here are 25 steps to a securely attached and amazing relationship:

1. Communicate openly
2. Listen
3. Validate
4. Empathize
5. Respect
6. Trust
7. Give affection
8. Prioritize each other
9. Check in with each other
10. Nurture yourself individually – as well as the relationship
11. Identify / work on family of origin patterns or wounds impacting the relationship
12. Take an interest in what interests the other
13. Date nights
14. Playfulness
15. Work through resentment
16. Learn healthy conflict resolution skills
17. Friendship
18. Sexual intimacy
19. Reliability
20. Honesty
21. Loyalty
22. Mutual support of each other’s dreams
23. Forgiveness
24. Kindness
25. Love