The Importance of Commitment in Relationships

Commitment in relationships is not a simple word, or just something that comes with a ring before the wedding. It's all about working together as a team.

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist María Alejandra Castro Arbeláez.

Written by Yamila Papa

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Love, respect and commitment in relationships are fundamental. However, the latter often goes unnoticed or is taken for granted for various reasons. Generally, most people often think that their ring or wedding is what true commitment means.

Contrary to popular belief, having an engagement ring doesn’t guarantee anything. Yes, it’s a very nice symbol. However, it’s important to have a secure and sturdy foundation. You can’t reduce a relationship to a simple object and an empty promise.

Concept and importance of commitment in relationships

Commitment in relationships doesn’t mean losing yourself or that you love yourself less. After all, in order to be good to others, it’s important to be good to yourself.

Now, to build a stable relationship, you need a commitment that includes teamwork, as well as good, clear communication.

Nowadays, commitment in relationships is complicated because it doesn’t seem to let everyone do “whatever they want.” People often get confused about the ideas of freedom, responsibility and other things.

For a relationship to last, it’s important for there to be commitment. This should be an agreement of mutual understanding, honesty, respect and cooperation that is always growing. From this point of view, commitment helps couples stay happy, even when there are problems.

Commitment in relationships isn’t just putting a ring on it, but learning to work as a team. In addition, it’s about maintaining a common vision of the future, without forgetting about each person’s individual needs.

Commitment in relationships: more than just a ring

As we mentioned, true commitment is not only about exchanging rings and having a great wedding. Neither of those should be considered as the big sacrifice to prove that “the relationship works.”

If commitment is based only on expectations or exercising control over the other, the relationship won’t work. On the other hand, if it’s a mutual agreement, with a vision of the future, respect, good communication, and fidelity, it helps the relationship grow healthily.

Honesty and respect are key values

Often, couples take values like respect and honesty for granted in their relationship. However, the truth is that you have to work on them every day. For example, you can practice them by talking confidently with your partner about anything.

Don’t stay quiet and go to bed angry, even if the issue is small. In other words, don’t wait until later to talk about what’s bothering you now. You ca always talk about it to achieve (and maintain) balance in your relationship. The important thing is to stay positive, listen, and always work together.

It’s also important not to keep your feelings to yourself. Express your feelings out loud and talk about them face to face.

Never, under any circumstances, think that your opinion or your partner’s doesn’t matter. No couple should forget this, whether they’re newly married or have been together for decades.

Commitment in relationships goes beyond promises and social expectations. It’s an important component that you need to work on every day as a couple. It doesn’t have to be just an ideal. You can make it happen.