People With High Emotional Intelligence Usually Set 3 Relationship Boundaries Very Early On
Geber86 | Shutterstock People with high emotional intelligence are better at relationships mostly because they understand that, in order for love to thrive, you have to convey your needs and wants right away.
An important part of conveying needs and wants is setting healthy boundaries before things get serious. If you don't know where to start, relationship coach Sabrina Zohar shared three non-negotiable relationship boundaries that can help set you and your partner up for success.
Relationship boundaries people with emotional intelligence set when they first start dating someone new:
1. They must be finished with their ex
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Let's be real: we don't have the patience or time to deal with people still hung up on their exes, and we don't need the whole unresolved-issues conversation. This is why if you're going to date someone, you have to make sure they're actually ready to date.
Zohar said, "Put it to sleep, learn your lessons, process it, move on. It's time to make space for somebody new and stop holding on to people that didn't work out." And if they can't let go and move on? Well, they shouldn't be dating in the first place.
2. They must care about self-improvement
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"Whether that person's in therapy, reading books, or doing some work on themselves, it is crucial that somebody is doing the work on themselves, and it is not just you," explained Zohar.
We all want partners who are on the same level as us and who want to self-improve and do better. That is why having a partner who is on the same page as you matters. Because if they're not, you'll waste your time dating somebody you have little to nothing in common with.
You'll begin to realize that while you are advancing and growing as a person, your partner will always remain the same, making you feel frustrated and alone in your progress.
3. They don't argue when you say no
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The most obvious green flag is when you tell the person you are dating no, or you are uncomfortable with something, and they accept it without a fuss.
For instance, let's say you're going on a date with somebody, and they ask to meet late at night. If you say you'd prefer to meet earlier, how they respond matters. If they respect your decision and are willing to work with you, they have basic decency and respect.
According to Pew Research Center, "Nearly half of U.S. adults (47%) say dating is harder today for most people compared with 10 years ago, while a third say it is about the same and 19% say it’s easier today." And guess what? For women, dating appears to be a lot harder.
So, don't feel bad if you're having difficulty finding a partner. And remember, be patient and give yourself grace. The right one will come along eventually.
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's degree in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, and family topics.
