In case you haven’t gotten one for awhile, here’s a friendly reminder that you should never settle for a guy who isn’t worthy of you. A good man can be hard to find, but if you’re ever in doubt as to what you deserve out of a boyfriend, here’s a little checklist you can refer to.
1. HE KNOWS YOU’RE PRICELESS.
He hit the jackpot with you and he knows it. He knows you deserve the very best in a man, and he’s ready to take on the challenge and be his absolute best self for you. Don’t settle for a man who thinks he’s got it all figured out from the start and takes you for granted. He’s lucky to have you. You deserve nothing but the best.
2. COMMUNICATION IS AS IMPORTANT TO HIM AS IT IS TO YOU.
Why is it so difficult to find a man who will talk things out? Being able to have deep conversations is essential for a relationship to be successful, and this is absolutely impossible if your partner isn’t willing to engage with you when you need to speak openly with each other about things. Find yourself a man who understands how important communication is and who’s willing to have the tough talks in order to make the relationship stronger.
3. HE ISN’T AFRAID TO GET EMOTIONAL SOMETIMES.
Men often find it harder to be open with their feelings, and to be fair, a lot of this has to do with the social stigma surrounding men who are sensitive and in touch with their emotions. But guys who are open with their feelings are the ones who will understand your emotions the best and be compassionate with you. They’re also the ones who can express their love for you the best. Don’t settle for a man who can’t talk about his issues or cry sometimes.
4. HE’S AN ACTUAL ADULT.
Why is it so damn hard to find an adult man these days? It seems like every guy between the ages of 20 and 35 is a child who can hardly do his own laundry let alone be emotionally available or care about another human being. Guys like this do not make good partners, which should be obvious, but considering the fact that it seems like they’re the only men in existence, it can be hard to remember that they aren’t good enough and don’t deserve you. Real adult men do exist. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder.
5. YOU ADMIRE HIS AMBITION.
A man with goals of his own is sexy as hell. It’s great to find a man who loves you and cares about you and is present in the relationship, but if he doesn’t have his own life and his own ambitions, your relationship will get frustrating pretty much immediately. Find a man with dreams and the work ethic to pursue them, and you’ll never be disappointed.
6. LISTENING IS ONE OF HIS GREATEST TALENTS.
Sometimes, you just need someone to sit with you and hear you out. If you’ve had a day straight from hell or one of your friends is being the worst, having a guy who is there to listen and actually care about what you’re saying can be a lifesaver. You deserve a guy who’s interested in your life and wants to know everything about you, just as you care and want to know everything about him.
7. HE VALUES YOUR OPINION.
Some guys go into shutdown mode when they’re dealing with any kind of issue in their lives, and this can be extremely hard on a relationship. You deserve a guy who values your opinion enough that he actually relies on your input about anything and everything happening in his life, large or small.
8. HE TREATS YOU LIKE AN ACTUAL QUEEN.
Regardless of whether or not you’re into the old-fashioned gallantries of having doors opened for you or being walked to your doorstep, you deserve to be treated like royalty. Make sure the man you choose to be with pampers you in every way possible, especially when it comes to the little things like impromptu foot massages and romantic dinners in. You deserve only the best treatment from your man.
9. YOU CAN RELY ON HIM FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.
Whether you’re running late to the office and need someone to pack a lunch for you or you’ve just had the worst day of your life and you just need someone to be there and hold your hand and cuddle, he’s there. Having a guy who is always going to show up for you no matter the situation is something every woman deserves, so don’t settle for anything less. You’d do the same for him.
10. FINANCIAL STABILITY ISN’T ONE OF HIS ISSUES.
The man has his act together. He can afford his rent and he has a steady job and he isn’t five months behind on his car payment. It’s not like you need a millionaire—this isn’t about being a gold digger—you just need a guy who has his act together and doesn’t need to be supported by you or his parents or anyone else. You should be with a guy who is your equal in everything, and that includes finances.
By Rose Nolan for Bolde