How to Decide If Your Relationship Has a Future

When you've been in a relationship for awhile, you may start to wonder where that relationship is going. Every relationship comes to a point where it either advances ahead or fizzles out, sometimes without warning. If the relationship ends on a sour note, feelings are hurt and someone usually ends up heartbroken.

1. Step 1

   Find out if you and your partner want the same things. Many relationships end because partners do not communicate enough about their desires. Sometimes, a woman may want marriage and kids, and a man may not (or vice versa). It's important to know what your partner expects out of the relationship. If you both are not on the same page, someone could end up getting hurt. Finding this out ahead of time can save a lot of heartache and time often wasted. Be sure to communicate about your relationship wishes and speak to your partner about his (or hers) so that you aren't left feeling betrayed.

2. Step 2

   A relationship that has a good future is one that is secure and stable. If you constantly fight with your partner, there could be something wrong in the relationship that needs attention. Sometimes, partners are just not meant to be together, but hold on because of their love for one another. If you feel that your relationships is happy, healthy, and stable, you may have a great future together. Even if it isn't, this doesn't always mean that it can't be fixed. A relationship with a future is one where both partners work to make things great. If you want your relationship to last and step toward the next level, you need to make sure that it's healthy enough to get to that next level. Leaving problems unattended can only create more trouble in the long run.

3. Step 3

   Do you and your partner spend time together and care for the relationship properly? A relationship that has a future is one that is tended to constantly. Like a plant that needs food, water, and care to grow...a relationship needs time spend together and constant attention. If one partner feels ignored, the relationship will not have a very good future. Both partners must make a point to give each other what the other needs as often as possible. This doesn't mean that you should not have hobbies outside of each other. You definitely need time apart as well. But, too much time away from the relationship can spell disaster and create a bleak future. Be sure that both partners are paying attention to each others needs and you will have the makings of a great relationship with a wonderful future.

4. Step 4

   Do you respect one another? A relationship with a great future is one that involves respect. If both partners treat each other with kindness, their relationship is bound to have a wonderful future. Always treat your partner as you'd want to be treated and be sure that he (or she) is treating you the same way. If you're unhappy with the way your partner behaves with you then chances are, your future together could be rough. A relationship where both partners respect one another will flourish to it's fullest potential and have a more solid future than one where one or both partners treat each other poorly.

5. Step 5

   How much do you love your partner? A great relationship will have a future if you love each other deeply. Love is important in a relationship and can't be counted out in considering a future. If your relationship lacks a deep love, you may have trouble in your future. While love is not the only aspect to a great relationship, it is what brought you two to consider a future in the first place (I hope) and having anything less than a real love for each other will damper a relationship's future. While head-over-heels love does fade after awhile, you should still feel a great amount of joy for your partner. If that kind of love has disappeared as well or never existed, your relationship's future could be bleak.