1. Yourself. Never change who you are to please someone else. Your lover should accept you as you are. We all evolve and grow throughout our lives, therefore the perfect partner should be open to accepting who you are at any point of your life. Compromises are necessary in a relationship, but it doesn’t mean you should modify your personality or values to please your partner. If they cannot accept you in this manner, there is always someone who will.

2. Freedom. If you have to check in with your partner for everything you do, or if you feel bad while meeting friends or relatives, something is wrong with your partner’s confidence. Possessiveness demonstrates insecurity, therefore even if your spouse deserves your love and kindness, it does not give them the right to demand that you end all other relationships with people. Such domineering conduct indicates a lack of self-confidence, which must be addressed if you want to spend the rest of your life with this person.

3. Happiness. Why are you with your partner if they are not making you happier? If your spouse is consistently making you unhappy, it’s time to terminate the relationship. You should be with someone who will bring optimism and match your positive energy, rather than someone who will drain you of it. Your partner cannot always be happy, and neither can you, but their inability to find happiness for themselves or for you is a clue that they should work on themselves rather than your partnership.

4. Your Dreams. A healthy relationship is one between two people who share the same mission and who support each other throughout the journey. Even if your dreams are different, you should encourage and support one another. However, if you do not believe you have that from your spouse, it is time to end your relationship. You do not need someone to belittle or discourage your aspirations.

5. Your other relationships. You should never give up your friendships or family relationships simply because you are married or in a relationship. If your partner wants you to spend less time with these people, this indicates possessive behavior, which is never healthy or productive. Make sure your partner understands and is confident enough to allow you to take time away from them on occasion.

6. Your spiritual or religious convictions. Some people are willing to change their faith in their relationship, but there is a distinction between doing so to please their partner and making the decision on their own. Nobody is worth compromising your convictions for, and your partner should support your spiritual life, even if it differs from theirs.