10 Things Emotionally Intelligent People Never Do in Relationships

Our emotional intelligence is an important factor when it comes to building and maintaining a healthy relationship. Often our emotional intelligence can dictate how smoothly a relationship runs; from how we handle disagreements with our partner, how we take feedback, and how effective our communication is with them. Difficulty managing emotions can be detrimental for relationships as it can lead to misunderstandings and even trust issues further down the line. It's important then, to understand what kind of actions emotionally intelligent people never do in order to cultivate healthy relationships with their loved ones. Here are 10 things emotionally intelligent people don't do when it comes to relationships:

Don't Blame Their Partner for Everything – Emotionally intelligent people understand that during a relationship, both individuals are equal partners who have a responsibility to make things work. As such, they don’t play the blame game, but instead focus on understanding better ways to manage conflict or difficult conversations in order to make progress.

Don't Play Mind Games – No one wants to win over their partner by see-sawing between being sweet one day and then cold and distant the next. This kind of tactic only serves to create insecurity and mistrust in the relationship. An emotionally intelligent person would rather focus their energy on communicating honestly and respectfully.

Don't Ignore Red Flags – Emotionally intelligent people don’t put up with chronic bad behaviour. Instead, they immediately recognise any red flags in order to protect themselves and others from unnecessary stress or harm.

Don't Suppress Their Feelings – Being emotionally self-aware means that intellectually intelligent people avoid burying their feelings. They don’t take out their frustrations on their partner, instead knowing that communicating openly is key to creating balance in their relationships.

Don't Gossip About Their Relationship– All relationships have ups and downs, but emotionally intelligent people don’t share that kind of information publicly. Doing so can easily put a strain on the bonds of respect between both of you.

Don't Make Quick Judgements – It’s natural for humans to jump to conclusions, especially when something seems like it could be bad news for them. Fuelled by emotion, their judgement can lack clarity, which is why it’s essential for emotionally intelligent people to remember to step back and take some time to unpack their thoughts before reacting.

Don't React Out of Fear – Emotional intelligence means being aware of your own motivations. If someone you care about does something that triggers intense worries about being judged or abandoned, it can stop you from seeing things clearly. Emotionally intelligent people practice self-awareness so they can separate fact from fear, allowing them to calmly address any difficult situation.

Don't Misinterpret Their Partner's Intentions– Misunderstandings can quickly arise when emotion is involved. Emotionally intelligent people take a step back, acknowledge their thoughts and feelings, and objectively assess the facts to make sure they can accurately interpret what their partner meant before responding.

Don't Avoid Difficult Conversations– While it may seem easier to sweep difficult problems under the rug, this approach doesn’t fix anything. An emotionally intelligent person will be honest and open by tackling difficult conversations directly so that they can be vulnerable and transparent with their partner.

Don't Take Traditional Gender Roles Too Seriously – When a relationship is driven by traditional gender roles, this can create resentment in the relationship. Emotionally intelligent people know that nurturing healthy communication, listening, trust, and respect are all key elements of a successful relationship regardless of gender.

These ten things emotionally intelligent people never do demonstrate how emotionally mature we need to be to nurture a healthy relationship. Communication is key, but it requires reflection on a personal level too; it's not enough to simply communicate, but also take responsibility for how we respond and how we empathise in any given situation. The more we understand ourselves and our purpose in our relationships, the more balanced, supportive and vibrant they become.