Ever talked to someone who was just waiting for their turn to speak? It's annoying af and ultimately comes off as selfish. A great partner listens with intent, processes what you say, and responds thoughtfully. When they truly hear you, it shows they value your thoughts and emotions. And you'll know when they are listening because they are able to continue the conversation and engage. People looking to just get their words in tend to lose track of the conversation.
1. They Listen to Understand, Not Just to Respond
2. They Respect Your Boundaries
A healthy relationship means being able to say no without feeling guilt or pressure. Whether it’s needing alone time, declining an invitation, or setting emotional boundaries, a green flag partner honors and respects your space. The alternative starts to cross into that dreaded “overly clingy” territory. Create space. Make breathing room for your relationship to grow.
3. They Celebrate Your Wins
Your success isn’t a competition. It’s something they genuinely celebrate. Whether it’s a big promotion or finally finishing that book, they cheer you on because your happiness is their happiness.
4. They’re Emotionally Consistent
A relationship shouldn’t feel like an emotional rollercoaster. A green flag is when your partner shows up the same way: reliable, kind, and steady. You don’t have to guess which version of them you’re getting today. If they can be rock solid even when you're a mess, they're a keeper. Just make sure it goes both ways!
5. They Encourage Your Growth
They don’t just love who you are, they love who you’re becoming. A great partner supports your dreams but more importantly, they give you the gentle push you need to get through. I'm not saying you need a life coach, but we all need that person who sees more in us and gets us off our procrastinating butts.
6. They Handle Awkward Situations Gracefully
I had this one partner that would never let me slide when something embarrassing happened to me. It was infuriating. I don't need you constantly laughing every time I spill something. It felt like they were just waiting to fault me for something. A green flag partner can read the room. There are times when a little chuckle is in order, there are times when you should keep the comments to yourself. A green flag is when they make awkward moments less painful by brushing them off with ease.
7. They Apologize Without Defensiveness
There's nothing worse than a half-hearted apology. Nobody’s perfect, but how someone handles their mistakes speaks volumes. A partner who can genuinely say, "I was wrong, I’m sorry," without making excuses or getting defensive? If that means stepping away for a moment to calm down or collect their thoughts, it's a good sign that they are genuinely trying to process the mistake and course correct. Green. Flag.
8. They’re Curious About the Things You Love
They may not share your obsession with vintage records or sci-fi movies, but they ask about them anyway. Taking an interest in your passions, even just a little, shows they care about what makes you happy. And you never know, when you both take an interest in each other's interests, you may come away liking it yourself.
9. They Handle Disagreements with Empathy
Fights happen, in the heat of an argument, emotions can run high. A huge green flag is how fair your partner handles them. Dismissive, aggressive responses or personal jabs are no good. I do admit, I prefer to continue the conversation after the angry tempers have cooled - there's nothing less productive than a shouting match. But at the end of the day, a good partner will come back with a cool head, try to understand your side, find common ground, and resolve things like a team.
10. They Encourage Self-Care
Need a break? Want a solo night out? A healthy partner doesn’t make you feel bad or become self-conscious when you feel the need to take care of yourself. Just like in #2, they know that a little time apart makes you a better, happier partner in the long run.