Guide to Aesthetics

In an insightful study, experts have shed new light on the search for a happy relationship, emphasizing the importance of friendship as a foundation. This groundbreaking research, originally published in GQ España, challenges the common belief that finding a partner online is the best way to find long-lasting happiness.

According to psychiatrist Abigail Brenner, being friends first is crucial for a healthy, lasting, and happy relationship. This perspective, which has long been overlooked, contradicts the notion that men and women cannot be friends. The study by the University of Victoria and the University of Manitoba found that many happy couples met through friendship, and it's possible for two people to be friends without initial sexual attraction, which can develop over time.

The study suggests that all relationships should ideally start as a simple friendship, regardless of the duration. It's important to note that this doesn't mean forcing a change in a relationship if there's no initial attraction. Instead, it highlights the benefits of building emotional and intellectual commonalities, which can lead to trust, communication freedom, better self-expression, and direct problem-addressing.

Expert Raj Persaud in Psychology Today supports this notion, stating that a friendship is the best foundation for a happy relationship. The study also contradicts the idea that actively searching for a partner may be the most effective way to find a happy relationship. Instead, it seems that friendship builds naturally, and happy relationships often arise from these organic connections.

The study sheds new light on the search for a happy relationship by emphasizing the importance of friendship. It concludes that perhaps the search for the "perfect" partner isn't the most effective way to find a happy relationship. Instead, focusing on building meaningful friendships and allowing relationships to develop organically may lead to long-lasting happiness.

It's essential to remember that every relationship is unique, and what works for one couple may not work for another. However, this study underscores the value of friendship in forming happy relationships and encourages us to approach relationships with an open mind and a focus on building strong connections.