What does it actually mean to be a successful relationship? It's not enough to simply be with the same partner for decades, experts say. To really be considered successful, you need to practice a few crucial, healthy behaviors that ensure both partners feel respected, cared for and valued — even . A successful relationship is "happy and stable," said relationship expert John Gottman, Ph.
D., during a recording of the " " podcast released earlier this month. "Except not happy the time," his wife and fellow relationship researcher, Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.
D., added, "because nobody is happy all the time." In many cases, couples find that the same few issues keep coming up over and over throughout the years because those conflicts are "based on either differences in lifestyle preference or personality differences," Julie Gottman said.
And the way couples navigate those differences can be eye-opening. During the interview, the Gottmans laid out three important markers of successful relationships — including the way couples get through life's inevitable ups and downs. "You have to really want to know the other person and keep knowing them as they change over time," Julie Gottman explained.
"And you need to also feel known by your partner." This is the most important marker of a successful relationship because it contributes to a feeling of being respected, cared for and admired by your partner. "You need to know that, if you seek attention from your partner, most of the time.
