Author: Teresiah Malatji

A guide to understanding the qualities that make you relatable in order to build true Connection.

Dear reader,

Trust that you are doing good and looking forward to being empowered and transformed. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy today’s lessons on your journey to building a fulfilling relationship. The big question we are unpacking in this issue is: What Makes a Life Partner Relatable?

This guide will help you identify the essential traits that make true connection possible and will help prepare you to become a relatable partner.

Understanding the word “relate” in a relationship

The word relate speaks to connection. The first foundation of any fulfilling relationship is a healthy connection between two people who choose to share their lives. Unfortunately, not every relationship has true connection and not every connection is healthy.

For the purpose of a fulfilling relationship, a relatable individual is someone whose presence makes you feel happier, more comfortable, more emotionally healthy and more satisfied when you are with them and even when you think about them, and vice versa. If I am going to spend most of my time with you and you with me, the least we can do is commit to becoming relatable partners.

Take note I have intentionally used the word “more”. With the word “more” I wish to highlight that, before entering any relationship, it is your responsibility to cultivate your own fulfilment. What is essential is that your partner or future partner does not drain your already fulfilled life and is not made responsible for your fulfilling life.

You must be already fulfilled when entering a relationship. A healthy relationship adds to your fulfilment than creating it. It is therefore important for you to embark on a journey of a Self-discovery, Self-development and Self healing to create and live a fulfilling life with or without someone.

Understanding what makes a person relatable helps us identify the qualities that form the foundation of lasting, fulfilling and harmonious partnerships.

In the journey of choosing a life partner, many people look for elements such as compatibility, chemistry, shared goals or attraction. While these matter, there is a deeper, often overlooked foundation that determines whether a relationship becomes a sanctuary or a battlefield: relatability.

Below are the qualities that make a life partner genuinely relatable.

While there are countless qualities that make a life partner relatable, the traits outlined in this article represent my top fifteen, which I consider foundational in creating emotional safety, deep understanding, and healthy connection.

These core qualities provide partners with the foundation that they need to navigate the relationship with a healthy connection.

When these traits are present, the couple is able to grow together, resolve differences with more ease, and naturally develop the additional qualities that sustain a long-term and fulfilling partnership.

1. Emotional Self-Awareness

Relatability starts with self-awareness. A self-aware partner knows and understands their emotions, patterns and triggers. They know how their own emotions affect the connection in the relationship. They are able to pause, reflect and express themselves honestly. Their emotional presence creates an atmosphere of safety. You know who you are dealing with and what they are feeling, without guessing or decoding.

Unfortunately most people are too afraid to deal with, connect with and face their own emotions. Emotions don’t define who we are, they present important hidden messages and they help us to understand what we carry within. Emotional awareness helps us to know and identify different types of emotions and the emotions that others carry, how to regulate our emotions, how to develop healthier emotional patterns. It also guides us in healing or correcting emotional responses that no longer serve us.

2. Authenticity Without Performance

A relatable partner doesn’t live behind a shield. They allow you to see the real, unfiltered truth of who they are, their strengths, flaws, dreams and fears, etc. Their openness creates a connection that feels human and sincere.

3. Clear and Honest Communication

They are intentional about developing their ability to communicate. They speak in ways that bring you closer, not in ways that confuse you or push you away. There is no silent treatment, passive aggression or emotional guessing games. Their words are aligned with their intentions. You can understand them, trust them, and speak freely around them.

How to Read the Rest of the Article

If you find this article useful and would like to read the full version, simply send an email to subscription@lifewithterry.com with your name and indicate that you would like to be added to the LwTee Life Partnership Blueprint: Journal with Terry. My goal is to connect with and work with individuals who are intentional about their personal growth and development.

Make Reading Part of Your Growth Culture

With the busy lives we lead, finding time to read even one article a week for personal growth can feel challenging. Fortunately with intention, nothing is impossible. Commit to setting aside at least an hour each week, whether during the week or over the weekend to read these life-empowering articles. Turn it into a ritual and make reading a consistent part of your growth journey.