The keys to a successful start to a relationship

Talking about women's well-being means addressing sexuality, self -affirmation , self-love , but also relationships. Puissante tackles this complex yet fascinating subject.

We wondered how to avoid heartbreak and boring dates, and how to give yourself the best chance of building a healthy relationship . Here's a summary of our best tips for thriving when meeting someone special.

Some prerequisites before embarking on a relationship

Put the fairy tales away on the shelf

The few references we have about romantic relationships come from our social circle and pop culture. We were all raised on princess stories and romantic comedies where fate intervenes and magic happens.

Spoiler alert : human relationships are much richer (and more complex) than that.

The perfect person doesn't exist. And that's good news, because we don't have to be perfect for each other either!

Distinguishing between alchemy and compatibility

The secret to knowing if we're embarking on a Disney relationship or if we're grounded in real life? Differentiating between chemistry and compatibility.

• Alchemy
  The emotional connection when two people are together. Chemistry is that flame so difficult to capture, yet impossible to ignore. When the connection is strong, the other person occupies your thoughts; you get butterflies in your stomach as soon as they appear. This spark is also present in intimate moments, igniting passionate encounters that leave you breathless and your legs trembling.

• Compatibility
  The natural alignment between lifestyle choices and values determines the possibility of building a long-term romantic relationship. It comprises priorities, activity preferences, and core values.

Chemistry and compatibility sometimes appear together, sometimes not . A meeting with strong compatibility but little chemistry promises great conversations, but a quickly boring relationship. Conversely, strong chemistry and little compatibility foreshadow a vicious cycle of toxic passion. Not a bad idea.

To determine if this budding relationship has a chance of working out, assess the balance between chemistry and compatibility . Don't expect a perfect 50/50, but if the person shares your long-term vision and makes you grin from ear to ear every time you meet, that's a good sign.

You can't get a better start to a relationship . 

Loving yourself above all

You've probably heard the saying " you have to love yourself before you can love others ." Okay, it might be a bit radical, but there's a grain of truth to it.

At the intersection of personal development and self-love, learning to love yourself leads you towards kind and selfless relationships .

To take a first step towards self-compassion, we invite you to clearly define your values . Knowing what is important to you is another step towards building a relationship with a healthy foundation.

Once this is done, you are able to communicate your expectations and needs to your partner (both in your intimate life and in general), which fosters better mutual understanding. To help you, refer to a pre-established list of values .

Knowing how to set boundaries is also essential for a successful start to a relationship. This means being able to define what is acceptable to you and what is not. It's key to preserving our integrity and emotional well-being, while establishing a balanced foundation in the relationship.

One last little tip for learning to love yourself: become BFFs with your demons. Accept their presence by your side; it means facing them, understanding them, and integrating them into your personal journey. They need a good dose of love too.

Embracing the uncertainty of the beginning of a relationship

Starting a relationship and opening yourself up to someone is scary. You don't know what baggage the other person brings with them, or if they're as committed as they say. In intimate moments and everyday life, you hope their preferences and habits will match yours. You dread stumbling upon some detail or revelation that will shatter any hope of a potential future together.

Your thoughts are jumbled, and that's normal; your brain hates the unknown. That's why it whispers to you to read between the lines, to expect the worst, or why it sometimes pushes us to overinterpret behavior. Beware of self-sabotage.

Thank your subconscious for placing doubts and fears in your path. It's kind of you to want to protect yourself. Promise your anxious brain that you'll take note of its warnings and dare to take the plunge.

You are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself . Therefore, you can begin a romantic relationship knowing that if it doesn't work out, it's for the best.

A relationship is a bonus that enhances your existence, not a prerequisite for living a fulfilling life.

Allowing room for uncertainty enables us to enjoy the experience of mutual discovery and establish a deeper connection. Doubts and fears are part of the process, but it is precisely in these moments that we learn to trust each other.

Embracing vulnerability

When we have learned to hide our emotions for fear of being vulnerable, we often associate this term with weakness.

However, being vulnerable means consciously choosing to freely express your emotions and desires to others, without worrying about how it might affect how others see you. This requires courage and a good dose of self-love .

But vulnerability is also the only path to a genuine connection with the people you meet. Some will be passing through, and others will choose to stay.

Communicating clearly about who you are is the priority for a successful start to a relationship . This means being honest with yourself and your partner about your needs, desires, fears, and aspirations.

Show yourself as you truly are, in all authenticity!

To explore this topic of vulnerability in relationships further , we highly recommend the episode “ Why is it so difficult to show vulnerability in intimate relationships? ” from the podcast Émotions (Louie Media). It's available on all listening platforms.

You now have the essential keys to building fulfilling and enriching romantic relationships . These tips apply as much to your romantic relationships as to the beautiful friendships you will encounter along your path.

To continue, we highly recommend this list of the best tools for getting to know yourself . Essential reading for learning to enjoy yourself and set boundaries.