6 Signs Your Relationship Is Ready for a Major Commitment

So, you’ve survived a weekend IKEA trip together without breaking up – congrats! If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re starting to wonder if your relationship is ready for the next big step, whether that’s moving in together or planning a future with kids and a dog/cat.  But how do you know for sure that your relationship is truly ready for a major commitment? We took a deep dive into the psychology of relationships and have the answers. If you’re curious, grab a cup of tea (or wine, no judgment), your partner, and see if you’re ready to propose.

1. You Can Argue Without Starting World War III

Every couple argues. If you’ve never disagreed on anything, this is your first sign that you should press pause and analyze your relationship. In the spirit of moving forward, we’re going to assume you’ve argued an average amount. Now, take a step back and think about the way you argue. Do your disagreements spiral into screaming matches or cold-shoulder marathons? Or do they end in silent treatments or slammed doors? If the answer is no to both questions, this is a strong indicator that your relationship has the emotional muscle for long-term commitment. Research shows that couples who handle conflict with empathy, curiosity, and even a touch of humour tend to stay together.

2. You’re Comfortable Being Unfiltered

If you can share your weird thoughts, embarrassing stories, and questionable snack combinations without fear of judgment, maybe it’s time to start looking for beautifully crafted engagement rings. Being unfiltered isn’t about oversharing every random brain blip. It’s about emotional safety. Psychology calls this authenticity, and it’s a huge deal in long-term compatibility. When you can be 100% yourself – silly, vulnerable, messy, honest – it means you trust your partner not just to like you, but to know you.

3. Your Values Align on the Big Stuff

Love might make the world go round, but shared values keep your relationship from spinning out of control. If you and your partner agree on the big stuff (kids, career goals, or financial decisions), you’re in sync where it counts. If you haven’t had these talks yet, it’s a clear sign you should wait on popping the question. Instead, grab a piece of paper and list your top five values. Ask your partner to do the same, and compare notes. Then talk. You might come out of this discussion with a lot of valuable answers.

4. You’re Each Other’s Biggest Cheerleaders

Your success doesn’t overshadow your partner’s achievements, and vice versa. If you can acknowledge and support each other’s wins and be there for each other when things don’t go as planned, you’ve got something special.  If you’re not sure yet, here’s an imagination exercise: Say your partner wants to quit their job to start a bakery. Are you there, handing out cupcakes, or are you in a corner, side-eyeing the risk? 

5. You’ve Been Through Thick and Thin

Every couple, at some point, faces stress, whether it’s job loss, health scares, family drama, long-distance struggles, or something else. The way you navigate those storms says more about your future than a thousand date nights ever could. If you’ve weathered something genuinely difficult and didn’t just survive, but found new ways to support, communicate, and connect through it all, that’s a serious sign of long-term potential. It doesn’t mean you got everything right at the moment. But if you both came out of it with more empathy, deeper trust, and maybe a shared appreciation for emotional growth, your relationship is thriving.

6. You’re Not Trying to Fix Each Other

True love, that stands the test of time, means loving the whole package, warts and all.  If you’re secretly plotting to turn your partner into a morning person or a tidier human, you may not be on the right track. The little quirks that you can overlook today can easily snowball into the reason for your divorce a few years into the marriage.  A partner is not a fixer-upper. If both of you understand and accept each other without planning to “fix” anything, it’s a strong indicator you’re built for the long run. 

Wrap Up

There you have it: six signs your relationship is ready for the big leap. From fighting fair to cheering each other on, these markers show you’re building on trust, acceptance, and teamwork.