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After a string of being in not-so-great relationships, getting into a great one comes with a whole new set of challenges.

Insecurity, doubting your own common sense, lies, misdirection, sleepless nights, endless worries. These are all part of the nightmare that are bad relationships, and nearly all of us have been there.

You met someone who you (for some reason) just can’t let go of even though you know they’re terrible for you. They’re like love junk food! You love to indulge, but you know you’re going to regret it later.

When things finally come to an end with your latest ill-fitting boo, you go through the same familiar routine. By now, you know how to pick up the shards of your broken heart, piece it back together and let time heal the wound. You know how to sit back and think about what you learned from this love gone wrong and (hopefully) how to apply it to your love life moving forward.

But what happens when you actually meet someone that’s good for you?! They don’t flirt with other women in front of you. They return your calls and text messages regularly. They’re there for you when they say they will be. They know how to demonstrate their love for you instead of parroting those three little words to keep you hooked. They’re the real deal!

For anyone that has learned how to function in dysfunction this is a terrifying thought because it’s completely new territory. There

1. Learning You Can Actually Trust Them

Trust in a relationship is about way more than someone being faithful to you. It’s also about whether your significant other is honest with you and whether they’re fulfilling their commitment to you.

Being in a good relationship means you don’t have to look over your shoulder anymore. You don’t need to be a part-time private eye anymore! However, learning to trust them also means you need to learn to trust your own judgment when it comes to them and their intentions.

2. Being Able To Relax

Being in a good relationship means you can finally let your guard down. There’s no need to be on edge anymore. There’s no more waiting for the other shoe to drop because of your feet (and his) are on the ground!

The good news is that this means you can finally focus on doing your best to make sure your relationship is solid, happy and healthy for the both of you.

3. Learning To Think As Part Of A Team

When you’re in a bad relationship, you’re convinced that it’s you and your boo against the world, but you’re actually just fending for yourself while getting somewhat regular sex. In a good relationship, though, you and your honey actually are a team.

This comes with some responsibility, though. You have some backup in your day-to-day life, but this also means that you are someone else’s backup. Being part of a team means you have to think about what is best for the both of you as a unit.

Being in a good relationship isn’t easy, but overcoming its challenges are well worth the work if you’re brave enough to face them.

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Real Love: 3 Scary Things About Being In A Good Relationship  was originally published on hellobeautiful.com