There are a lot of things that come with being in a relationship... more than one would like to admit! They take time, patience, work, and love. But somewhere along the journey, you start to become a little more comfortable and if you take a step back to fully reflect on the things that you have done throughout the time, you'll realize that you have learned so much more than you would have thought. Here are 10 that stand out the most:

1) The Whole World Doesn't Revolve Around You

I know that this one may seem to be a little obvious but, sometimes, especially if you grew up an only child and happen to have some of that 'only child syndrome' then you know that you can sometimes get a little carried away in getting what you want most of the time. But once you have committed yourself to someone else and another person's wants and needs end up meeting your wants and needs, reality very quickly slaps you in the face and you see that not everything is your way or the highway!

2) Your Food Is Their Food And Vice Versa

There is nothing that I like more than food, and I am sure that a lot of you can relate to that, and sometimes it can be hard to learn to share your food even though we have learned all throughout our lives that sharing is caring. Sometimes though, you just don't want to share your food! After being in a relationship for a while though it kind of becomes a thing of the past to not share your food! In fact, sometimes you even become a little strategic in ordering; you order yours, he/she orders theirs, and just splitting it half and half so that you can get the best of both worlds without the reaching over a table to grab it.

3) Compromise

I think that this title speaks for itself. It kind of plays off the idea of the whole world not revolving around you, however it reaches out a little more in the compartment of overall decision making in the relationship. It is not about what you want all the time. You want to go out and your S/O wants to stay in? Compromise. Maybe you can go out and he can stay in, or this one night you both can go out or you both can stay in! It's not the worst thing in the world. Choose bliss over pointless arguments!

4) Your Partner Becomes Your Best Friend, NOT Your ONLY Friend

I made this mistake the first time I found myself in a real relationship and it was detrimental. I didn't even notice that I was isolating myself until I was no longer in the relationship, unfortunately. I was so caught up in having this guy as my best friend that I forgot that it was okay to branch out and go have other friends to hang out with. Not every second of every day has to be spent with this person, even though it really easy to have that happen.

5) You Can't Save Someone

This one is a little depressing to read, but unfortunately it is true. When you are in a 'real' relationship with someone, and they have a bad habit or something that really bothers you, (ie: drinking, smoking, etc), then you should know that you cannot save them from that. They have to choose to do it themselves. It kind of applies to other people in general, but in a relationship you learn that if they want to put in the effort to change something that really bothers you, that CAN be changed (not like a personality thing, a more 'physical' thing) then they would. Otherwise you can try all you want, but they may come to resent you.

6) Just Because You Have Invested So Much Time Into A Person Does Not Mean You HAVE To Stay With Them

THIS. IS. CRUCIAL. Let me say it again! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO STAY WITH THEM IF YOU FEEL LIKE THINGS HAVE CHANGED. My previous relationship definitely made me feel guilty for wanting to leave. This was a conversation that I had with him, talking about how things are feeling different and how I am not sure what I want anymore (keep in mind, I was also like 14 so however serious those relationships can be), but then he told me that we had already spent 10 months together (again, I'm 14 so this seems like 10 years) and tried guilting me into staying. Eventually I left, but do not be guilted into staying if you do not want to stay.

7) You Learn What Kind Of Relationship You Want

Playing off the previous point, after being in a relationship you start to learn what kind of relationship you want. After that relationship I realized that maybe it was not the best idea in the world to be in a relationship with somebody who tries to guilt me into doing ANYTHING. Eventually through trial and error I realized that the relationship that I wanted was something much more light weight. It's one where your partner is your best friend and you can joke around without getting too mean (since we know that humor can get mean). It's one where I can eventually start farting in front of someone or burping, whatever floats your boat.

8) You Deserve More Than You Think

After having been in a couple of bad relationships, it became clear that on top of knowing what kind of relationship I wanted, came with knowing what I deserve. Of course every person in the world deserves to be treated well and deserves to be treated as well as they treat others, but sometimes you can't get everything on the list you make, so you have to prioritize a few things. and make sure you get what you deserve. Whether you prioritize honesty, sex, chemistry, trust, love, romance, humor, etc... Be sure you get it! You deserve it!

9) Misunderstandings Are Entirely Inevitable

Misunderstandings are always going to happen. They happen in friendships and happen more than ever in relationships. MOVE ON. If your partner says one thing and you understood it as another, COMMUNICATE and don't hold it against them! Holding it against them and bringing it up is only going to hurt the relationships you have in the long run. Is it frustrating sometimes? Yes! But you learn to take a step back and see how small this misunderstanding is on the grand scheme of the relationship, and it makes things a whole lot better!

10) You Learn How To Please Each Other

Eewwww *squirm* YES! It is TRUE! As you grow together in a relationship, you move to other levels, and eventually you probably will have sex! It;s not the most magical thing in the world the first time, but it definitely will evolve over time if you both are committed to making it better. The more comfortable you are with the other person, the more that you can talk about what works and what doesn't! One day, badabing-badaboom you made it!!