7 Signs Someone is Worth Fighting For – Psych2Go (2024)

Conflict and difficulty is inevitable in any kind of relationship. And no matter how much we may love someone or want to be with them, there will always be times when we feel like we just can’t handle it anymore. Frustrating circ*mstances can make even the strongest and happiest of couples start to second guess their relationship and ask themselves whether or not it’s even worth it, if they have what it takes to make it through all the ups and downs together.

While there are certain things that certainly make or break a relationship – such as infidelity, abuse, manipulation, and other toxic behaviors – most of the time, it’s not very clear what we should do when certain issues start to get in the way. On one hand, we’re not sure if our relationship can even survive the problems we’re facing or if it’s a sign that they just aren’t the right person for you. But on the other hand, you don’t want to spend the rest of your life regretting your decision and pining over “the one that got away”.

So, the question is: would it be better to stay with this person or break things off with them right now? Still unsure about what it is you should do? Well, here are 7 definitive signs that can help you realize whether or not someone is worth fighting for:

1. They make you happy.

Of course, when we find someone who makes us happy, we need to do everything we can to keep this person in our lives. Whether it’s a good friend or a romantic partner, numerous studies have found that having close and meaningful relationships with the people around us is integral to a greater quality of life and stronger feelings of overall contentment and satisfaction (Demir, 2008). So if you have someone in your life right now who makes you smile and feel good about yourself, then you should count yourself lucky. Not a lot of people do.

2. You can talk to them about anything.

It’s been said time and time again that honesty and openness are the foundation of any loving and healthy relationship (Yamada, 2012). So if you truly feel like you can talk to your significant other about anything at all – from your deepest, darkest secrets to all your hopes and dreams – then you should fight to keep them in your life because that kind of connection doesn’t just happen with anyone. It shows that there is a deep sense of trust, understanding, and acceptance between the two of you and you shouldn’t let that go to waste.

3. You agree to disagree about things

It’s a widely-held misconception that couples should strive to have as little conflict as possible to keep their relationship strong, but what a lot of people fail to understand is that conflict can actually be a good thing. And when you and your significant other can agree to disagree about things, it shows that you are both mature enough to handle your problems without resorting to screaming, fighting, name-calling, and passive-aggressive behaviors. Agreeing to disagree about things shows that you prioritize your relationship over your need to be right and that you are willing to set your pride aside for the person you love (Appel & Shulman, 2015). It shows that you respect each other’s differences and value one another’s opinions, which is as good a sign as any that you are indeed with the right person.

4. You share the same core values.

The truth is, no matter how compatible you and your partner are, you can never be perfect for each other in every way because you are two different people – and that’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with having different views and opinions about things as long as you share the same core values. Core values are defined as the fundamental beliefs a person upholds (i.e. honesty, fairness, peace, and compassion) and they shape a lot of our attitudes and priorities in life. If you invest in a relationship with someone whose values are not aligned with yours, it will only lead to constant disagreement, misunderstanding, and resentment over time. But if you find someone who believes in the same principles as you do, then it will be easier to maintain a relationship with them no matter the challenges you face together.

5. You love spending time with them.

Do you enjoy spending time with your significant other? Do you always look forward to seeing them and being around them? Even if you’re not planning on doing anything particularly fun or exciting? If you answered yes, then it shows that what you have with this person is special because you enjoy their company and you feel good being around them. You have fun even when you’re just hanging out at their place or talking about trivial things because, as long as you’re together, you always have a good time. Your relationship is easy, comfortable, and definitely worth holding on to.

6. You can be completely yourself around them.

Another great reason why you should fight for someone is if they make you feel like you’re free to be yourself around them. They accept you and love you just the way you are, so you feel safe letting your guard down with them. They never make you feel like you’re not good enough, or that you need to try hard to impress them, or change yourself just to please them. They bring out the best in you and you like yourself better when you’re around them because you can be your truest, most authentic self (Mills & Clark, 2009).

7. You help each other grow as people.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, any relationship where you help each other grow and change for the better is certainly one worth fighting for. Dependable and encouraging, they boost your confidence and push you towards achieving your goals because of how much they believe in you. Not only that, they also make you want to be a better person because of the wonderful example that they set for you. Finding a partner who not only loves and supports you but also challenges you can help you become the best possible version of yourself you can be (Dargie & Blair, 2017). And you’d be amiss if you just wanted to throw something so wonderful away!

So, do you relate to any of the signs mentioned here? Did any of these things make you realize that your relationship is actually worth fighting for? It’s never an easy decision to make, letting go of someone you love. But sometimes we are faced with so many obstacles and challenges in our relationships that we can’t help but wonder if we’re just fighting a losing battle.

But the truth is, falling in love and making a genuine emotional connection with someone isn’t something that happens often. So before we throw in the towel and decide it’s easier to give up on them than work through our problems together, we owe it to ourselves to take a good look at what it is we’re throwing away.

References:

• Demir, M. (2008). Sweetheart, you really make me happy: Romantic relationship quality and personality as predictors of happiness among emerging adults. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(2), 257-277.
• Yamada, M. (2012). Honesty as a mediator for relationship satisfaction and conflict. Journal of Personality and Individual Differences, 39(11), 281-294.
• Appel, I., & Shulman, S. (2015). The role of romantic attraction and conflict resolution in predicting shorter and longer relationship maintenance among adolescents. Archives of sexual behavior, 44(3), 777-782.
• Mills, J., & Clark, M. S. (2009). Viewing close romantic relationships in adolescents: Implications for maintenance and enhancement. In Close romantic relationships (pp. 21-34). Psychology Press.
• Dargie, E., & Blair, K. L. (2017). Predictors of positive relationship outcomes in adolescent dating relationships. Journal of social psychology, 41(2), 181-202.