How To Attract Healthy Love And Know When You're Ready

Medically reviewed by April Justice, LICSW
Updated October 9, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Learning to attract love into your life can involve more than finding the “right person.” It can rely on a certain level of individual readiness to embark on a balanced journey of love toward a meaningful relationship. Emotional readiness may be more than desiring a partner or feeling lonely. It can be about being emotionally available and having the capacity to nurture a relationship while also maintaining your individuality.

Understanding your readiness to manifest love can require self-introspection and honesty. You might ask yourself whether you’ve grieved past relationships sufficiently or can accommodate someone else's needs while maintaining personal boundaries. These questions may guide you to realize whether you are ready to attract love.

Finding your ideal partner may not be about perfection but finding someone who complements you. It may be about building mutual respect, understanding, and growth in your relationship. To attract a partner, you may start by becoming an ideal partner to yourself.  

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Defining healthy relationships 

If you are seeking a healthy relationship, it may be helpful to understand what ingredients can make up a positive, loving, and balanced relationship. While the definition may vary from person to person and between cultures, there have been recent developments in research examining the common factors present in reported “loving” relationships. 

In one study, researchers looked into how healthy relationships may be defined across diverse individuals and cultural contexts to create a healthy, evidence-based model for individuals to model. As a result of their efforts, their team developed what is known as the Happy, Healthy, Safe Relationships (HHSR) Continuum.

The HHSR Continuum model encourages individuals to assess and nurture their relationships. This model is not confined to a particular type of relationship but is versatile enough to be applied to various relationships, including family, friendships, and romantic partnerships. 

The HHSR Continuum fosters vital elements of relationships such as trust, respect, and understanding. According to this model, specific characteristics underlie all healthy relationships. For this reason, the model is organized as a pyramid, emphasizing that certain key factors can be present before the development of others. 

One of the key findings of the HHSR is that relationships must be safe before they can be healthy and healthy before they can be happy. They also discuss the continuous nature of the framework and that although safe, happy, and healthy are depicted as categories, there are varying degrees of relational quality within each. 

The HHSR Continuum acknowledges that every individual and every relationship is unique. It respects the diversity of perspectives and the distinctive needs of various subpopulations. In addition, the model can be tailored to respect cultural values, personal beliefs, and specific circumstances that impact the dynamics of a relationship. This inclusiveness of the HHSR Continuum can make it a powerful tool for modeling happy, healthy, and safe relationships for individuals of all ages seeking guidance. 

Am I ready for a loving relationship? 

It can be easy to get caught up in the world of dating apps to find a partner. However, manifesting love often begins not with finding the right partner but cultivating a healthy, loving relationship with yourself. Loving yourself first may seem paradoxical, but it can form the basis of attracting a partner who is a vibrational match to your energy. Recognizing your worth, setting healthy boundaries, and nurturing your mental and emotional well-being are facets of self-love that may contribute to the readiness for a loving relationship.

Some people seek a future partner in their lives without realizing that the quality of their romantic relationships mirrors their inner state. The Law of Attraction posits that like attracts like. According to this theory, if you have a positive attitude filled with self-love and respect, you may attract partners who offer the same. In other words, it’s not about the person you desire but who you are as a person that can dictate how attraction works. When you are in a harmonious relationship with yourself, you may be able to attract a partner who resonates with your energy.

To explore your readiness for a loving relationship, you might begin a journey of spiritual practice, tuning into your subconscious mind and setting clear intentions. As you create a deep connection with yourself and the universe, you can align your energy with the reality you deserve.

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What to focus on to attract love 

Reaching a state of readiness for a loving relationship may not be an overnight transformation. It can require introspection, patience, and the courage to face and heal your wounds. Focusing on yourself may help the wonderful things about you shine, making it easier to manifest love into your life. 

The goal can be to become a whole, fulfilled individual capable of spending your life with someone else, not depending on someone else for your fulfillment. Doing so can enrich your life and lay the foundation for a healthy, vibrant, romantic relationship. 

Self-worth

Before you attract love and establish a loving relationship with your ideal partner, understanding and appreciating your self-worth may be helpful. To feel happy and hopeful for an ideal love life, you may need to understand the concept of deserving more love. This process might involve acknowledging your strengths, accepting areas where you can benefit from growth, and cultivating a sense of self-love. Try to recognize that you are worthy and deserving of love and kindness, both from yourself and others. 

Ways to practice self-care and love

Practicing self-care and self-love, much like treating yourself as your own best friend, is a strategy to cultivate independence and self-worth. A few ways to start may include the following: 

  • Setting aside time for relaxation and activities that bring joy

  • Ensuring physical health through regular exercise and a balanced diet

  • Maintaining a healthy work-life balance. 

  • Setting healthy boundaries and learning to say no when necessary

  • Prioritizing your own needs 

  • Taking a moment to practice mindfulness and center thoughts or emotions

  • Using positive affirmations to boost confidence and self-belief

Ways to practice self-reflection

You might also engage in regular self-reflection. Self-reflection often involves taking time each day to acknowledge your positive qualities, recognize personal accomplishments, appreciate unique personality traits, and challenge negative thoughts. A daily practice of writing in a gratitude journal is a strategy that may help you foster a positive mindset and improve self-esteem.

Cultivating self-worth can be a journey that takes time and patience. However, it may help promote a deep belief in your power to achieve your dreams and appreciate the little things that make you unique. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion throughout this process. It may also be helpful to seek professional support when navigating your challenges. 

Emotional readiness

Another aspect of a healthy love life is your emotional readiness. Entering into a relationship can require emotional maturity and the ability to support your emotional needs and those of your partner, especially during difficult times. It may involve expressing your emotions honestly and openly and being receptive to your partner's feelings. The right mindset ensures you're not just seeking a best friend or partner out of loneliness but are genuinely ready to have loving energy and a positive outlook on relationships.

Are you ready to share your life, compromise, and commit to another person's happiness and your own? These can be vital questions when assessing your readiness for a loving relationship. It may not be necessary to figure everything out and be “perfect” emotionally to find a partner. However, it can be helpful to establish independence to bring a balanced emotional state to the table in future relationships. 

Unconditional feelings

Unconditional love is a profound, all-encompassing affection that remains constant, irrespective of circumstances, actions, or time. It's a selfless form of love that does not seek anything in return but offers itself freely and abundantly. This type of love is devoid of judgment, prejudice, or expectation. It accepts the beloved in their entirety, acknowledging their perfections and imperfections with equal respect and admiration. It’s the type of love people often associate with the bond between a parent and their child, but it is also an aspirational goal for many romantic relationships.

How projections and insecurities affect your relationships

However, attracting and maintaining unconditional love can require a certain level of self-awareness and spiritual maturity. One may benefit from knowing one's projections and insecurities to offer and receive such love. This process may involve acknowledging and addressing personal insecurities and prejudices, which may otherwise create unrealistic expectations or conditions in a relationship. In addition, it can be helpful to embrace the other person for who they truly are, not who you want them to be or who you have envisioned in your mind.

Letting love happen naturally can also be an aspect of attracting true love. Love cannot be forced or manipulated into existence. It may require patience, understanding, and allowing the relationship to unfold in its own time and way. When love blossoms naturally, it may be more likely to develop into a lasting bond. This natural development fosters trust and respect and may help you attract a partnership that resonates with your energy.  

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Support options

Falling in love and finding a partner can be challenging, and some people may encounter loneliness and other challenges along the way. If you’re experiencing relationship challenges, it may be beneficial to talk to a therapist. However, loneliness and relationship challenges can also bring up barriers to in-person therapy, such as difficulty setting appointments or affording to go to treatment. In these cases, online therapy may be beneficial. 

Online therapy may serve as an available platform where individuals can openly express their feelings, emotions, and concerns. Attracting a healthy relationship can involve acknowledging and addressing negative thoughts. These thoughts may serve as barriers preventing individuals from opening up to the possibility of love. 

Online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp may help you identify these negative thinking patterns and equip you with the tools to overcome them. With a compassionate and empathetic approach, online therapy may aid in fostering self-confidence that may be instrumental in attracting a healthy and fulfilling relationship. In addition, you may avail of unique resources like group sessions and worksheets.  

In one study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of online relationship counseling in helping individuals develop self-esteem. In the study, it was found that online therapy was able to effectively reduce negative thoughts and bolster self-esteem, two elements in fostering healthy relationships. This study highlights the efficacy of online therapy and its ability to provide an reachable, safe space where individuals who experience mental health difficulties can be comfortable opening up with the therapist. 

Takeaway

Readiness for love may not be a destination but a journey of self-discovery. It can involve recognizing your worth, healing from past wounds, and embracing vulnerability. 

It’s normal not to have all the answers. As you continue to grow, you may find that you can receive love healthily and free of expectations. Trust in the process of your unique love story and embrace the importance of self-love and self-care. You can also contact a therapist online or in your area for further guidance and compassionate support.

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