Never Go to Bed Angry

The idea that couples should never go to bed angry is everywhere, but research from Ohio State University in 2024 shows that forcing a resolution late at night can actually intensify conflict and increase stress. When we’re tired, our emotional regulation drops, making arguments worse.

Sleep helps us process emotions and gain perspective; a study published in Sleep Health in 2023 found that couples who allowed themselves to cool off overnight were more likely to resolve issues calmly the next day. Relationship therapists now often advise taking a break and revisiting the topic when both partners feel rested.

The pressure to “fix it now” can lead to hasty apologies or resentment. It's healthier to pause and sleep on it if needed, rather than pushing for an immediate solution.

Your Partner Should Complete You

Hollywood loves telling us that love means finding “your other half,” but the American Psychological Association’s 2025 review confirms that strong relationships are built by two whole, independent individuals. Relying on a partner to “complete” us can create unhealthy dependency and disappointment.

Data from Pew Research shows that couples who maintain personal interests and friendships outside their relationship report greater satisfaction and resilience. It’s inspiring—not selfish—to keep your own identity in a partnership.

True connection comes from sharing your life, not losing yourself in someone else’s.

Love Means Never Fighting

We’re taught to fear conflict, but a 2023 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that couples who argue respectfully are more likely to stay together long-term. Suppressing disagreements can cause resentment to simmer beneath the surface.

Healthy arguments are a sign of trust—partners feel safe enough to be honest. Conflict, when handled constructively, helps couples grow and understand each other better.

It’s not fighting that ruins relationships, but silence and avoidance.

Always Put Your Partner First

Many believe that putting your partner’s needs above your own is the ultimate act of love. However, a 2024 survey by the Gottman Institute showed that couples who practice self-care and set boundaries actually experience deeper intimacy.

Martyrdom can breed resentment and emotional exhaustion. When both partners prioritize their own well-being, they're more energized and emotionally available for each other.

Love isn’t about self-sacrifice; it’s about balance and mutual support.

Keep No Secrets—Tell Each Other Everything

Total transparency sounds ideal, but experts warn it can backfire. According to a 2023 Harvard study, sharing every thought and feeling can overwhelm a relationship and erode personal boundaries.

Healthy couples distinguish between privacy and secrecy. Maintaining some personal thoughts or time apart doesn’t mean you’re hiding something dangerous.

In fact, therapists say that a little privacy is natural and necessary for trust.

Jealousy Proves You Care

Jealousy is often romanticized, but recent findings from Stanford University (2024) reveal that frequent jealousy is correlated with lower relationship satisfaction and increased anxiety. While it’s normal to feel insecure sometimes, using jealousy as proof of love can be toxic.

Excessive jealousy often leads to controlling behaviors and mistrust. The healthiest relationships are built on trust and security, not suspicion or possessiveness.

Good Relationships Happen Naturally

We’re told that if it’s meant to be, relationships should be effortless. Yet a 2025 report by the National Institute of Mental Health highlights that lasting partnerships require ongoing effort, communication, and compromise.

Couples who believe that love should be “easy” are more likely to give up when faced with challenges. Like a garden, relationships need regular tending and care.

Success comes from intentional actions, not just chemistry.

A Happy Couple Does Everything Together

It’s easy to think that true love means sharing every hobby and social event. However, research in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships (2023) shows that couples who pursue separate interests and friendships enjoy greater satisfaction and lower rates of burnout.

Time apart is healthy and allows partners to grow as individuals. When you come together after doing your own thing, you bring fresh energy and stories to share.

The happiest couples aren’t inseparable—they’re supportive of each other’s independence.