You like the same movies, want the same things from life, and rarely disagree. Sounds like relationship goals , right? But compatibility is only one part of the equation. If one or both partners struggle to express feelings, listen, or be vulnerable, even the strongest compatibility can feel surprisingly empty. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Ankita Kaul, counsellor and founder of The Unfiltered Ladies, decodes what’s sustaining the relationship.
Compatibility is often overrated in relationships. But how realistic is that? Two people coming from different families, backgrounds , experiences and circumstances are unlikely to think, feel and react in exactly the same way. Even twins are completely different. “What sustains a relationship, then, is not perfect compatibility. Emotional availability is the ability to listen, communicate, and understand your partner’s emotional needs without immediately dismissing, defending, or deflecting. It is being able to stay present in an uncomfortable conversation instead of turning it into an argument about who is right. “You can have different interests, personalities, social preferences and even different ways of expressing love.
We are made to believe that the right partner is someone who naturally ‘gets us,’ someone who shares our interests, matches our personality and effortlessly fits into our life, according to Ankita. It is emotional availability ,” said Ankita. Emotional understanding can help you navigate those differences and create a middle ground,” said Ankita.
