For a long time, I thought being in a relationship was the key to happiness. But I’ve learned that being with the wrong person is far worse than being single.

The truth is, staying single until you find the right person is one of the best things you can do for yourself. It gives you time to grow, figure out what you want, and avoid settling for less than you deserve.

The key isn’t just finding someone—but finding someone with the right personality traits. The kind of person who brings out the best in you and makes life easier, not harder.

If you truly want to be happy in a relationship, wait until you meet someone with these seven traits.

 

1) They make you feel at peace

I used to think love was supposed to feel like a whirlwind—dramatic, intense, and full of ups and downs. But real happiness in a relationship comes from the exact opposite.

The right person won’t leave you feeling anxious or unsure about where you stand. Instead, they bring a sense of calm into your life. You don’t have to second-guess their feelings or constantly fight for their attention.

When you’re with someone who truly fits you, being around them feels easy. You can be yourself without fear of judgment, and their presence alone makes life feel a little lighter.

If someone brings you more stress than peace, they’re not the right person—no matter how much you want them to be.

 

2) They communicate openly and honestly

I once dated someone who would shut down every time there was a problem. If something was bothering them, they wouldn’t say a word—I just had to guess. And when I brought up my own concerns, they’d either get defensive or change the subject.

It was exhausting. Instead of feeling close to them, I always felt like I was walking on eggshells, unsure of what they were really thinking.

That experience taught me just how important open and honest communication is in a relationship. The right person won’t make you guess how they feel. They’ll tell you the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, and they’ll listen when you do the same.

If someone avoids tough conversations or makes you feel like your feelings don’t matter, it’s a sign they’re not the right one for you.

 

3) They are emotionally mature

A strong relationship isn’t just about love—it’s about how two people handle challenges together. And emotional maturity plays a huge role in that.

Someone who is emotionally mature takes responsibility for their actions instead of blaming others. They can handle disagreements without resorting to yelling, silent treatment, or manipulation. Instead of running from problems, they face them head-on with patience and understanding.

Studies show that emotional intelligence is one of the biggest predictors of relationship success. People who can manage their emotions and empathize with their partner tend to build stronger, healthier connections over time.

If you want a happy, lasting relationship, don’t just look for attraction or chemistry—pay attention to how they handle conflict, stress, and difficult emotions.

 

4) They support your growth

The right person won’t just love who you are—they’ll encourage you to become even better. They’ll celebrate your achievements, push you toward your goals, and support you when things get tough.

A healthy relationship isn’t about control or competition. It’s about two people growing together while still maintaining their own dreams and ambitions. When you’re with someone who truly supports you, you never feel like you have to shrink yourself to make the relationship work.

If someone discourages your growth, downplays your successes, or makes you feel guilty for wanting more out of life, they’re not the right person for you. The best relationships are built on mutual encouragement, not limitation.

 

5) They make you feel safe

Love shouldn’t feel like a constant battle to be understood or respected. You shouldn’t have to wonder if your feelings will be dismissed or if your mistakes will be used against you later.

With the right person, you don’t have to be on guard all the time. You can express your thoughts without fear of judgment, admit when you’re struggling without feeling like a burden, and be yourself without worrying that it’ll push them away.

Emotional safety is what allows real intimacy to grow. Without it, a relationship becomes exhausting—full of second-guessing, walking on eggshells, and pretending to be okay when you’re not.

If someone makes you feel small, unheard, or afraid to speak your mind, they’re not the right one. The right person makes the world feel a little less heavy just by being in it.

 

6) They share your core values

Attraction and chemistry can bring two people together, but shared values are what keep them together.

The way someone sees the world—what they believe in, what they prioritize, and how they treat others—matters more than most people realize. If your core values don’t align, you’ll eventually find yourselves pulling in different directions, no matter how strong the initial connection was.

This doesn’t mean you have to agree on everything. But when it comes to the big things—like honesty, family, ambition, or kindness—you need to be on the same page. Otherwise, the relationship will feel like a constant compromise, where one person is always sacrificing what truly matters to them.

The right person won’t just fit into your life—they’ll share the values that shape it.

 

7) They choose you, every day

Love isn’t just about feelings—it’s about effort. The right person doesn’t leave you questioning where you stand or make you fight for their time and attention. They show up, consistently, because they want to.

They choose to communicate instead of shutting down. They choose to work through challenges instead of walking away. They choose to love you not just in the easy moments, but in the difficult ones too.

Real love isn’t passive. It’s not just something that happens—it’s something two people commit to, day after day. And you deserve someone who chooses you, not just when it’s convenient, but always.

 

bottom line: love should add to your life, not take from it

The quality of your relationships has a direct impact on your overall well-being. Research from Harvard’s Study of Adult Development, one of the longest-running studies on happiness, found that good relationships are the strongest predictor of a happy and healthy life. But “good” doesn’t just mean being with someone—it means being with the *right* someone.

Love should feel like a partnership, not a struggle for validation or stability. The right person won’t drain you, confuse you, or make you feel like you’re not enough. They will bring peace, support your growth, communicate openly, and most importantly, choose you—every single day.

Until you find that kind of love, staying single isn’t just okay—it’s the best thing you can do for yourself.