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Words of Wisdom: Relationship Advice for Women
What are good relationship tips?
By Zoë O'Connor
on December 05, 2023
Read time: 10 mins
When we all start out in the dating landscape, girls can be found scouring magazines and pestering their mothers for relationship wisdom — searching for any outlet to provide them with the dating advice they need for survival!
So, if you’re still on that quest, we have some relationship advice for women that should help you sidestep some of the greatest dating mistakes and set you up for lasting relationship success!
The most important thing we will emphasize, despite what many outdated magazines may have preached — stop basing your concept of love around what men want. What do you want from a relationship? What do you envision when you picture your happy ending?
As you prepare for your quest to find the one, we have some pieces of relationship advice to guide you along the way. So buckle up — we have a lot to get through!
What is good relationship advice for women?
When looking for the best relationship advice for women, there’s a lot to consider.
Whether you’re dating right now, or happily settled in a long-term relationship, there will always be bumps on the road to love. It might derail your idea of a fairytale ending, but even with all of the best advice in the world — sometimes you have to learn these lessons the hard way!
Lived experiences are our greatest resource, and even though you may have to kiss a few frogs, all the break-ups and make-ups are worth it when you find the healthy relationship you deserve.
So while we may preach a doctrine of perfection and spill all of our dating tips, no relationship expert (even us!) knows better than you when it comes to your own life. Therefore, we hope our bank of relationship wisdom can help guide you along the way, but we hand the reigns to all the wonderful women reading this. You got this!
50 Pieces of Empowering Relationship Advice for Women
As you embark on the journey of love, we hope that these nuggets of wisdom can help you find the person that you deserve.
No man can dictate how you feel, or tell you how to act — so we hope that these empowering pieces of advice will help you remember your worth. After all, you’re the architect of your own love life and you can write your own destiny.
1
Retain your independence: As much as you might adore your partner, you should never give up the life you hold outside your relationship. Even if you feel compelled to spend every moment with your loved one, try and take a step back to pursue your own hobbies and interests. Not that we’re predicting a breakup, but if your relationship disappeared tomorrow — where would you stand? If your answer gives you shivers, it’s time to start prioritizing your independence.
2
Prioritize yourself first: When it comes to priorities in a relationship, it might be your first instinct to prioritize your partner before anything else. Even though this natural reaction is incredibly loving — never forget how important your own happiness is and never let that need fall off the agenda.
3
What’s meant for you won’t pass you: Although this may be thrown around in lieu of a break-up, it really is true. Don’t go chasing after someone who doesn’t realize what they have. He’s not your Prince Charming after all, and that’s okay!
4
Practice self-love: You can’t love someone else before you love yourself. This might take a lot of work, and heapings of therapy, but when you reach that point — everything feels sweeter.
5
Never tolerate abuse: There are many different types of abuse that can arise in a relationship, and not a single one of them is acceptable. If you notice early signs of abuse in a relationship, seek the help you need and walk away.
6
Don’t be afraid to speak up: Women are often taught to keep quiet to avoid coming across as annoying, bossy, or pushy. But in the modern world, remember that you have the right to speak your mind. Being agreeable may sound like a compliment, but not if it’s not what you really feel.
7
Set realistic expectations: As children, whether you’re playing with princess dolls or not, think about our fairytale ending. It’s important to remember that no one can live up to this kind of expectation, and if you hold everyone you date to these high standards — you’ll end up further away from the happy ending that you intended.
8
Don’t abandon your friendships: No one wants to be that girl who forgets all about her friends just because she’s fallen in love. While many relationships come and go true friendships are forever — never forget that.
9
Expect respect: If your partner ticks all your boxes, but doesn’t respect you, that should spell the end straight away. Relationships are all about mutual respect, and without that, you can’t build a healthy foundation for your future together.
10
Discuss power dynamics: What kind of power dynamic do you want present in your relationship? Don’t be afraid to discuss gender role issues in your relationship, and chat about how your partner feels about shared responsibilities in the home. It may shine a light on some issues you didn’t even realize were there.
11
Never settle: If you’re in a relationship where you’re not 100% happy, never feel compelled to stay because you’re afraid you won’t find someone else. Settling in a relationship is very common, but never give up on your dream relationship out of fear!
12
Never be afraid to walk away: This ties in with the above advice, but if you’re truly unhappy, never be afraid to walk away. Break-ups are stressful and draining, but if you’re staying together to avoid a difficult conversation — that’s all you need to know.
13
Don’t try and mold your partner: To allow your partner to be authentically themselves, you shouldn’t be constantly trying to change them. While it’s important to encourage your partner to be the best version of themselves, it should never involve changing important aspects of their character.
14
Become a person you’re proud of: We’ve all heard it before, you attract what you out into the world. If you’re searching for certain qualities in your partner, do you share those qualities yourself? Take the time to work yourself to project that energy into the world.
15
Practice alone time: Life can get pretty hectic, which is why it’s so important to stay in touch with yourself. Take yourself out on a solo date and spend some time with your own thoughts to preserve your own mental health and well-being.
16
Don’t channel negativity: Everyone is entitled to a rant from time to time, but no matter how bad things get, try not to lapse into negativity. If you find yourself constantly bitching about people, your partner, or even work, try and cut out this habit.
17
Trust your gut: At the end of the day, only you can know how you truly feel about someone. Take a step back from everyone else’s opinions and try to listen to your gut — it’s hardly ever wrong.
18
Communication comes first: Remember that your partner isn’t a mind reader. If something is bothering you and you keep it yourself, how are they supposed to know? No one likes difficult conversations, but open communication will save you from resentment or conflict down the line.
19
Life is all about balance: While we all know about the benefits of a balanced diet, we can forget this doctrine when it comes to our personal lives. It’s never easy to find the perfect balance between spending time with your loved one, your family, work, and all your other commitments — refraining from focusing on just one thing will help preserve all your relationships.
20
Teamwork makes the dream work: Try and view your partner as your teammate. No matter what comes your way, you have them by your side to fight your corner. Working towards your goals as a team is a much easier feat!
21
Health is wealth: This may seem like a grandmother’s advice but without your health, everything else fades into unimportance. While it may seem unrelated to your relationship, everything revolves around your well-being. Practice regular health check-ups — for both your mental and physical health.
22
Share your problems: A problem shared is a problem halved. As your partner and teammate, you should be able to share your problems with your partner. If you choose to bottle it all up, it could come out in less productive patterns.
23
Practice gratitude: You don’t want to be one of those people who ‘don’t realize what they have until it’s gone’. Practice gratitude for your relationship and take the time to thank your partner for the little things.
24
Don’t be afraid to take risks: The greater the risk, the greater the reward. Relationships are all about taking risks and diving headfirst into a new future with your partner. It might feel scary, but it’ll be worth it in the end!
25
Know your worth: Never let anyone convince you that you don’t deserve love. Remember your worth and everything that you have to offer, and never allow someone to treat you any differently.
26
Avoid comparison: Comparison is one of the greatest killers of relationships. It’s tough not to compare yourself to your partner’s ex, or to refrain from comparing your past relationships with your current one. Even though we all tend to romanticize the past, don’t let it hold you back from your future.
27
Choose authenticity: Healthy relationships allow you to be authentically yourself. To make a relationship work, both partners need to feel that they don’t need to hide any aspect of themselves from their partner — feeling fully accepted for who they are.
28
Set personal boundaries: Setting healthy boundaries is a key aspect of any relationship. Whether it’s emotional or physical boundaries, these lines in the sand will be your saving grace when it comes to finding your soulmate.
29
Nothing is worth looking ‘cool’: We’ve all heard of the ‘cool girl’ concept, but no matter what the cool kids think — we prefer being kind over being cool any day.
30
Practice conflict resolution: No one wants a relationship that’s dominated by screaming arguments and building resentment. While no relationship is without its occasional squabble, try and establish healthy conflict-resolution skills to preserve your relationship.
31
Don’t fake it till you make it: As we’ve already discussed, authenticity is everything. If you’re unhappy in your relationship, don’t put up a front or fake your feelings. No one can keep up that pretense forever, nor should they try to!
32
Practice check-ins: Try and schedule regular check-ins with your significant other. While it may sound formal, it’s important to take the time to take stock of your relationship and assess how you’re both feeling. This allows you both to express your feelings and resolve any issues before they have a chance to grow.
33
Be vulnerable: Relationships are all about opening up to your partner, no details spared. This means allowing yourself to be vulnerable with your loved one. This may seem scary, but to get the relationship of your dreams — this should be step one.
34
Accept flaws: No one is perfect. As readily as we’re about to accept the flaws in ourselves, we have to be willing to accept our partner’s flaws too.
35
Practice patience: This rule has two avenues of thought. Not only do you need to be patient with your partner, but you also need to be patient with yourself. Don’t push yourself into anything that you’re not ready for and grant yourself the patience needed for healing.
36
Timing is everything: Right person, wrong time. It may seem silly, but this old saying still rings true. Distance, timing, work, responsibilities — there are a million things that could get in the way of your love story. If you truly believe that you’ve found your person, you have to have faith that things will work out in the end.
37
Compromise is key: While some things are non-negotiable, with the little things, it’s usually better to be open to compromise. Being stubborn will only get you so far, and if your partner really wants Chinese food — it’ll be your turn to choose next time!
38
The grass is always greener: If you’re in a relationship where you’re still having your head turned, or you believe that the grass might be greener on the other side — it could be time to leave. If you feel like you want to pursue something with someone else, grant your partner the decency of breaking things off in the proper way. You’d wanted to be treated with the same respect!
39
Don’t skip sex talk: When you’re being intimate with someone, especially if you’re in a new relationship, it can be hard to voice your concerns in the bedroom. Even though it’s not always easy, try and encourage an open conversation about your sex life — the results could surprise you!
40
Pay attention to red flags: Ignoring red flags is not going to get you anywhere. Take heed of the warning signs and turn in the other direction, preferably before anyone gets hurt.
41
Choose your best friend: Everyone dreams of finding that one person who is your best friend and your romantic partner all in one. If you find someone who makes you feel like that — never let them go.
42
Work on your insecurities: Everyone has insecurities, it’s what makes us human! What’s important is that we don’t let these things define us, or more pressingly, hurt our relationship. If you’re feeling insecure, express your concerns to your partner before they have time to wreak any havoc on your happiness.
43
Brush off the little things: Getting worked up over the little things is tempting, but it’s never worth it. While it may seem logical to fly off the handle over your partner leaving his dishes in the sink, it’s not worth it. Look at the big picture, take a deep breath, and remember not to sweat the small stuff.
44
Date nights matter: No matter what your love language is, quality time is an important aspect of every relationship. Even when life gets hectic, always schedule your date nights!
45
Know your dealbreakers: While everyone in the dating world is familiar with icks when you’re in a relationship — it’s important to know your dealbreakers. For example, if your partner doesn’t want to have pets, that could be a dealbreaker for you and that’s okay.
46
Say I love you often: If you’re in love with your partner, you should want to shout it from the rooftops! Don’t shy away from expressing your feelings for your loved one, and encourage them to do the same.
47
Relationships are a two-way street: While we advocate for every girl prioritizing herself over any relationship, it’s equally important to factor in your partner’s feelings. Treat them how you would want to be treated and you’re well on your way to a healthy relationship.
48
Practice active listening: Take on board what your partner is saying to you. Instead of just nodding along to their stories, pay them the kind of attention that you’d want yourself!
49
Focus on your real life: Take a step back from social media and the allure of your phone to focus on your relationship. Lowering your screen time (and not phubbing your partner!) can make it easier to connect with your loved one daily.
50
Take things at your own pace: No matter what happens, take the relationship at your own pace. Even if your partner is ready to get married after your first date, it doesn’t mean that you have to be! Never be pushed into a situation that you’re not comfortable with, and never feel pressured to feel something that you’re not ready for! If you’re with the right person, they’ll respect your need to take things slow.
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