More Than Romance: What Healthy Relationships Really Look Like

I feel like there’s a spotlight on relationships during February. There’s Valentine’s Day, and you’ve either been living or been around the same people for almost 6 months (that's a long time!). You see all this stuff on social media of couples’ things, romantic gestures, as well as galentines, and it can be a lot. Relationships aren’t just about being a couple; they also mean relationships with friends, family, classmates, teammates, and even yourself. Those everyday relationships often shape our lives more than one fancy date ever could. Instead of making this month about pressure and perfection, let’s take a second to chat about what healthy relationships actually look like. 

Healthy Relationships Aren’t Perfect - They are Respectful

Some signs of a healthy relationship include:

  • Open and honest communication

  • Respect for boundaries and personal space

  • Mutual support during hard times 

  • Trust without constant need for reassurance and monitoring 

  • Feeling comfortable being authentically you

If you’re always feeling anxious, stressed, or uncomfortable around someone, it might be worth paying attention to. 

That February pressure is so real and so unrealistic. Valentine’s Day can make people feel like they are missing out on something if they’re single, they're not in that “perfect relationship,” or they don’t have a big group of friends to celebrate with. I feel it too. Relationships don’t follow this calendar; there is no universal time for love or having a connection. 

Healthy Relationships Grow Through:

  • Share experiences

  • Honest conversations

  • Consistency, not grand gestures (but both can be good too!)

  • Small moments of care 

Being single does not mean you’re alone; having strong friendships or connections matters just as much. 

Friendships Are Relationships Too

Sometimes we overlook our friendships and connections during February because of this massive pressure to be in a relationship. 

Some signs of a healthy friendship:

  • Support without competition 

  • Saying no without guilt 

  • Celebrating eachothers successes 

  • Respecting differences in schedules and energy levels

Sometimes, a quick text or phone call check-in can mean more than an expensive gift. 

Don’t Forget That Relationship With Yourself 

This month is a great time to check in with yourself, too. Taking that time for self-care can actually help others around you at the same time. 

Some ways to strengthen your relationship with yourself:

  • Notice your body, energy levels, and your own needs

  • Take breaks without guilt 

  • Spend time doing things you genuinely enjoy

  • Talk to yourself with the same kindness you would to your loved ones

You deserve all the love and the best kind can be from inside yourself. 

Healthy relationships aren’t all sunshine and rainbows all the time. They are built on a solid ground of trust, communication, respect, and care for each other, whether it be romantic, platonic, or somewhere in between. This February, instead of focusing on all that stuff online and the expectations that come with it, try focusing on the relationships that make you feel supported, understood, and valued. Because healthy connections, in all forms, are worth celebrating all year round, not just one day out of the year. 

-Kayla McAdam, Peer Wellness Educator Lead