Have you ever spent years in a relationship and suddenly realized you were living for the other person instead of yourself? Even though you should be working toward a common goal in a partnership, it’s important to maintain your individual identities.

Being concerned for your partner is a natural impulse. Often, it’s normal and healthy. But if you obsess over your partner’s behavior and micromanage their habits, your relationship is heading into unhealthy territory.

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It’s normal to feel protective of your partner. But when those feelings and behaviors turn into possessiveness, the relationship is in danger of becoming toxic, codependent, and potentially not worth saving.

The pandemic has shifted so much of our lives online—some of it for the better. We’ve had to adjust to asynchronous classes, video work meetings, and even online hangout sessions to catch up with friends no matter where we are.

Relationships don’t always come easy. Communicating well, building trust, and maintaining your identity all take work. Being a better partner requires self-awareness, which we don’t always have.

Sexual compatibility is a top issue with couples. Contrary to pop cultural belief, matching your libido to your partner’s isn’t always automatic or easy. In long-term relationships, sexual frequency can become an unspoken problem that affects all other conflicts.

The holiday season is all about giving, feasting, and bonding with friends and family. But we all know that the holidays are often much more stressful than we want them to be. Expectations, family dramas, and the end-of-year work pressures can all lead to heightened stress.

It’s important to know what you want from a relationship. Being confident in your principles will help you set healthy boundaries and find a partnership you both find fulfilling. Dealbreakers are one way you can communicate expectations from your partner.