As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to be the same person I was
before we began dating. I should not have to adjust any inherent part of myself to
make you happy.
THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to my own private space. I
do not have to do anything I feel violates the boundaries I surrounded said space
with, which may include, but is not limited to, giving up my passwords to my email,
social media accounts, or phone and sharing secrets I am not ready to share. If I
choose to do any of these things it should be when I feel comfortable and when you
have earned my trust, not when you decide I have to.
THE RIGHT TO GROW AND CHANGE
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to as many personal
metamorphoses as I deem necessary to become the person I most want to be. This
may include: becoming healthier, being more outspoken, going out less, going out
more, going back to study, and so on. So long as my right to grow and change does
not infringe on your personal freedoms, you should not attempt to decelerate the
rate at which I develop.
THE RIGHT TO MAINTAIN OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to care for relationships
outside of our own; with friends, with family, with my career, etc. Although my
relationship with you is important and you are an important person in my life, I also
have other people and things in my life that hold value.
I HAVE THE RIGHT TO SAY ‘NO’; TO DISAGREE
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to say ‘no’ and hold opinions
contrary to yours. I am allowed to say ‘no’ when you want my answer to be ‘yes’. I
am allowed to disagree with you on certain issues. I am allowed to stand firm on
these declarations.
THE RIGHT TO PUT MYSELF FIRST
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to, when necessary, place
my own needs before yours. There will be times throughout the course of this
relationship in which I may have to be selfish. Sometimes I will have to step away
from an argument even though you want to talk because I need a mental break
from the fight. I will confide in you of my need to do so. Other times I will have to
sit out a social gathering even though you want us both to go because I am just not
feeling up to it. Whatever the case may be, there will be times I will – for the sake
of my sanity – need to be selfish.
THE RIGHT TO LIVE FREE FROM ABUSE
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to live free from abuse of
any kind; be it emotional, physical, verbal, sexual, psychological, social or financial
deprivation.
THE RIGHT TO BE TREATED AS AN EQUAL
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to be treated the way that
you want to be treated. I am your partner, not your child or subordinate.
THE RIGHT TO LOVE AND BE LOVED
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to express my love for you
with every fibre of my being, albeit in a normal, non-toxic way. I have the right and
expectation that love is a reciprocal process. Love that is respectful, patient and
tolerant of the other’s differences.
THE RIGHT TO BE HAPPY
As a member of a healthy relationship, I have the right to live a life that is full of joy,
laughter and warmth.
With thanks to theodysseyonline.com/healthy-relationship- bill-rights for their valued
insight into healthy relationships.