In today's episode we consider the skills that are needed to develop long lasting, fulfilling relationships. When people are asked about their wishes for a good relationship they usually talk about being supported, loved and feeling content and happy. However, often it is not clear what skills are required to create these fulfilling relationships. We are not taught in school how to go about creating strong relationships. We are taught in fairy tales that a prince or princess arrives and everything is hunky dory. But what happens next once you've got your prince or princess? In this episode we talk about the skills that we have identified as crucial for successful relationships: - Self-awareness: generating insight into understanding what makes you think, feel and behave in a particular way and why - Empathy: understanding your partner and their way of thinking, feeling and behaving. What makes your partner tick and why? -Mutuality: understanding how you impact on each other and why. Learning how to communicate more effectively with each other and to be present for each other - Sustainability: developing more capacity for intimacy and vulnerability. Learning to grow and develop together as a couple