Healthy relationships can honestly change and enrich your life.
It’s not every time drama and toxicity, your relationships shouldn’t be giving you headache but instead should be helping you grow as a person.
Besides as you grow older, you realize how important peace of mind is.
But what actually constitutes a good and healthy relationship?
We spoke with 9 Nigerian women who shared what it means to be ‘treated well’ by a romantic partner.
Here’s what they had to say:
1/ Sandra. 26. Straight
For me it means being treated with kindness, love and respect.
Based on my past relationships, I can tell you that most Nigerian men aren’t familiar with those words.
To be treated well means to put me first, love me unconditionally and respect me even when I’m not there.
2/ Folami. 24. Straight
To “treat me well” means to spoil and pamper me. I want to wake up to thoughtful and expensive gifts, I want to be told to pack my bags last minute because we’re going on a spontaneous trip. Long and short, I want to be spoiled.
Every woman wants to be spoilt by the right person. It’s the sweetest feeling so for me that’s what it means to be treated well.
3/ Hauwa. 28. Bisexual
To be treated with all my needs, wants and feelings being recognized.
To be prioritized, respected and cherished. A relationship where I am constantly encouraged, supported and comforted.
4/ Sylvia. 26. Straight
Being treated well is when someone treats me the way they themselves want to be treated.
When someone loves you deeply, they will treat you well by showing it with their actions.
Words don’t mean anything to me at all. Human beings can promise you the world and you will never hear from them again. Treating me well overall means less words, more actions; showing me how much you love and appreciate me, rather than saying it all the time. Some men can kill you with that “I love you”, but when it’s time to prove it, they’ll be no where to be found.
5/ Dubem. 22. Lesbian
When you’re treated well, you’re happy. It’s more than material things.
It’s when my partner is empathetic towards me, my feelings and my wellbeing. When they are always there to listen, lend a hand, show support and always have my back no matter what.
6/ Aisha. 25. Straight
To be treated in a way that makes me feel special and loved. Nothing beats those feelings, and when you constantly feel that way you never doubt the person’s love for you.
7/ Ibukun. 24. Straight
To be cared for. I’m a big baby and I’m too emotional for my liking, so to treat me well means to show me love to the point where I will never need you to reassure me because it’s so clear. It means to understand my anxiety and triggers and be there for me, calm me down and make me feel better. Everyone has their own little thing that they are dealing with, whether its self doubt, anxiety or anything, so I believe its very important to date someone who takes these things into consideration and finds ways to always be there for you and show care.
8/ Ayotunde. 21. Bisexual
In a relationship, to treat me well means that you always have me at the back of your mind before making decisions, because that means that you prioritize me, and someone that always puts you first no matter what sincerely loves you.
9/ Char. 24. Straight
My definition of being treated well is providing for me and not having to ask.
My body itches when I have to ask people, most especially my boyfriend for things, so having a man who goes out of his way to send me money when he knows I’m broke, pay for certain things I’m not able to and so on, is treating me well.
For you, what does it mean to be treated well in a relationship?
