12 Habits Every Loving Partner Must Adopt To Ensure Their Relationship Lasts

Partners who prioritize these things will go far together.

A man kisses a smiling woman on the cheek outdoors. Both are dressed casually, and the woman has sunglasses on her head. The background features blurred greenery and sunlight.

It’s easy to keep a relationship going during the honeymoon phase, but a long-lasting partnership requires diligent care and maintenance. By putting the following 12 habits into regular practice, there’s a far greater chance that your love will endure.

1. Prioritizing time with their partner.

A couple stands on a sandy beach, wearing coats and smiling as they embrace. The background features dunes and softly blurred vegetation under a clear sky. The overall tone is warm and serene.

Life is busy more often than it isn’t, and many of us fall into bed at night feeling as though we’ve left important tasks unfinished. Chores can be set aside to do later, but quality time with our loved ones can’t. Make it a priority to spend time together often, and be truly present while doing so.

2. Checking in regularly to keep ahead of any issues.

A couple sits closely on a couch in a cozy living room, with soft natural light coming through large windows in the background. They are comfortably embracing and smiling at each other. A laptop is open on a table nearby.

While we’re constantly firefighting issues that come up at work, with kids, and so on, we may be lax in paying attention to the health of our relationships. As a result, it’s important to check in with your partner on a regular basis to see if there are issues that need to be addressed.

3. Making an effort with their partner.

A man and woman sit at an outdoor table, toasting with glasses of red wine. The man wears a blue shirt, and the woman is in a backless dress. They are smiling, with greenery in the background.

When you’ve been together for years, it’s easy to start taking one another for granted. As such, make sure to put in effort toward them, whether it’s surprising them with their favorite takeout, dressing up nicely for “date night”, or taking on some of their usual chores so they can have a break.

4. Keeping the romance alive.

A couple dressed in black leather jackets, wearing sunglasses, and embracing each other closely while smiling. They are about to kiss, with sunlight softly illuminating them from behind, giving a warm and romantic atmosphere.

Many couples find themselves living more like housemates over time, as family responsibilities take precedence over romance, and spontaneity is overshadowed by exhaustion. Keep romance alive by being affectionate with your partner throughout the day, having skin-to-skin contact (even just a brief morning shower together), and bedroom intimacy on a regular basis.

5. Celebrating important milestones together.

A close-up of two people clinking champagne glasses. The person on the left is wearing a white sweater with red and blue holiday patterns, while the person on the right is wearing a blue sweater. They are smiling and celebrating together.

Life is a lot shorter than most people realize, and we often regret not celebrating as much as we should. As such, make a point of celebrating things like the anniversary of your first date and/or each other’s achievements in addition to birthdays and holidays.

6. Expressing emotional warmth.

A man with curly hair and a beard sits on a couch, smiling at the camera. A woman with curly hair stands behind him, leaning over his shoulders and hugging him warmly from behind. A green plant is visible in the background.

Many people withdraw emotionally and seem distant when stressed, which can put a damper on even the most loving relationship. It’s important to keep at least part of your heart soft toward your partner—even in difficult circumstances—and express regularly how much you love and care about them.

7. Ensuring that you have fun and play together.

A young man and woman are doing laundry together. The man is jokingly holding a shirt towards the woman, while she sits on a washing machine holding clothes. They both laugh and smile in a light, playful moment against a tiled wall background.

This doesn’t mean you should torment them or try to force them to have fun when they’re really not feeling it, but when you find that your partner is in a playful mood, run with it. Play games and be silly together in ways that make you both happy.

8. Being honest and transparent.

A woman and a man are sitting outdoors on a bench, engaged in a conversation. The woman is leaning forward with her arms resting on her knees, wearing a white sleeveless top and sunglasses on her head. The man in a white t-shirt is touching his forehead. Trees are in the background.

Few things can damage a relationship like dishonesty. Even the most trivial “white lie” or falsehood by omission can sow the seeds of distrust if discovered, and that can seriously erode your partnership over time. Always err on the side of honesty with your partner, even if it’s awkward or uncomfortable.

9. Learning your partner’s love languages, and expressing them often.

A woman with curly hair sits on a couch, smiling as she holds an open gift box. A man with glasses stands behind, looking over her shoulder with a joyful expression. The room has a cozy, modern decor with plants and shelves in the background.

People express and accept love differently, so make sure you’re speaking their language. For example, if your partner’s primary love language is gift giving, surprise them with sweet little items on a regular basis so you’re showing them how much you care in a way that they can recognize and understand.

10. Letting go of the “small stuff”.

A man and a woman are sitting back-to-back in an outdoor setting. The man is wearing a plaid shirt and looking to the left. The woman, with short blonde hair and a sleeveless top, is looking to the right with a slightly serious expression. Both appear deep in thought.

Few things take their toll on a relationship like nitpicking over things that don’t matter. If there’s something that irks you but isn’t going to make your kidneys explode, let it go. Getting upset at them for hanging toilet paper the “wrong way” isn’t going to end the world, but it’ll damage the partnership over time.

11. Communicating personal challenges.

A woman with blonde hair wearing a mustard-colored shirt and a man with short hair and a white T-shirt sit across from each other at a table. They hold hands and gaze at each other, with sunlight streaming in from the window behind them.

Many people turn inward and go silent when they’re dealing with personal difficulties, especially if they learned that technique as a coping mechanism early on in their lives. To one’s partner, however, it may seem like they’re being locked out. Find ways to communicate when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and find a path forward together.

12. Being your partner’s greatest cheerleader.

A woman sitting on a bicycle with a basket of purple flowers high-fives a man standing next to her in a park. The woman is wearing a blue dress and a wide-brimmed hat, while the man is dressed in a white shirt. Trees with sunlight filtering through the leaves are in the background.

You don’t have to like the same things they’re into, but be as supportive as possible. Wear the hideous sweater they knit for you, taste the concoctions they’re cooking, reassure them that they’re smart enough to go back to school if that’s their dream. Be their rock, and they’ll be yours in turn.