There are many misconceptions when it comes to being a fantastic girlfriend. People think that a girlfriend should cook all her boyfriend’s favorite dishes, model sexy underwear, and learn bizarre sexual skills to please him. Not that doing all of these things won’t help, but if you want a more enduring and long-lasting relationship, you need to pick another route. 

Keep reading for some tips that are a surefire way to make him happy.

1. Be a Better Friend to Him

You need to be not only his girlfriend, but his best friend. Show him your friendly side and let him know you’re not just a romantic quick-fix – but someone reliable who’s there to support and love him at his best and his worst. 

2. Be Honest

Show him that what you say is real and honest at all times. When you’re honest about your intentions and actions, your partner isn’t left speculating about your mindset, perspective, or personality. Bare your true self to him, scars and all.

At first, you might be hesitant – but it becomes well worth it over time because you won’t be hiding anything from each other. 

3. Let Him Have His Freedom

The biggest strain a girl can put on her relationship is constantly wanting to stick to her partner’s side. Give your partner the freedom to be his person. 

Be aware of your limits and respect his uniqueness. If he has a night out with his friends planned, respect his individuality. You don’t have to impose yourself at every possible moment. 

4. Allow Yourself to Be a Little Insecure

Understand that your man is, in his own way, a little softer around the edges and has insecurities of his own. By showing that you too find it hard to love yourself sometimes, he’ll feel like he can relate to you on a whole other level. 

5. Become Friends With His Family and Friends

A man’s family and his friends are of great value to him. They’re a big part of his universe, and if you want to be an equally big part, you have to be friendly and courteous with the people he loves. Make a concerted effort to meet his friends, and be friendly with them. Invite his family over occasionally for games and dinner. 

6. Be Concerned About His Well-being

If he seems sick or tired, make it clear that you’re concerned for his mental and physical health. Drop-in on him and see if there’s anything you can do to improve his life. Make it clear that you’re prepared to go to any lengths to make sure he is healthy and happy. 

7. Believe in Him

You’re not just his girlfriend, you’re his designated cheerleader. Show him that if he ever needs anything, you have his back. He needs to know that he will receive 100% of your love and affection when he needs you, and that you support his endeavors. 

8. Pay Attention to Him

Make an effort to listen to him when you’re talking to him – but don’t just listen for the sake of listening. Pay attention to what he says, and find ways to communicate and engage in many conversations. Show him that you value his ideas, views, and opinions.

9. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Yourself

Men love women who aren’t afraid of being themselves. If a man feels like you’re putting on a show every time you meet him, he’s going to quickly lose interest. It’s ok to be a little goofy, be your kind-hearted self, and drop the sexy “for show” act. You want the relationship to grow stronger, and if you’re in it for the long run, you can’t play pretend. 

Though he may not admit it, your man enjoys you without makeup, particularly when you’re snuggling in bed together. With or without makeup, the best girlfriend is the one who is comfortable in her own skin. 

10. Be His Support

Ideally, the best girlfriend is one who can be her boyfriend’s pillar of support. Show him how much you care by showing up to the critical events in his life. Is he facing hardship at work? Help him with his household chores so he can focus properly. Does he have an important presentation due? Send him flowers or chocolates to show him that he is in your thoughts, and give him space. 

11. Treat Him as an Equal

If you take him for granted, or worse feel like you can do much “better”, then this relationship is doomed from the start. 

However, if you see and treat him as an equal in terms of respect and reverence, then you’ve unlocked the secret to a beautiful relationship. 

12. Show Appreciation

Most women don’t know how needy men are. If he asks you out on a date, thank him and tell him you had a great time when it’s done. Men are more receptive to praise on their accomplishments than they are to praise on their personalities, so when a woman sees and admires her man, he feels like the reigning champion and will go to great lengths to chase that high. 

Make it clear that you don’t take him for granted. If he does something romantic for you, tell him how much you appreciate it and how extraordinary you think he is. If you show him his efforts are being appreciated, it’ll help make you an even bigger part of his life.

13. Be Willing to Compromise

A little bit of a compromise can actually make your relationship easier to live in. Even if you aren’t a very easy-going person, try to be one for him. Instead of fighting to win, settle on a more peaceful middle ground – it’s the secret to a peaceful coexistence. 

If you’re angry with him, don’t be passive-aggressive until he asks what’s wrong. Instead, tell him what he did wrong. It’s not only what you say in a relationship that matters, but how you say it.

Don’t go down the rabbit hole of ignoring texts and making faces, and being rude. If you have something to say, just say it. 

14. Make an Effort to Be Affectionate

Compliment him. Let him know why you like him so much. Whenever he achieves something, tell him you’re proud of him. Kiss him on the cheek, or give him a big hug. Be intimate with him, and let him know how much you care for him.

15. Let Him Love You

Yes, you’re a powerful and self-reliant woman. You’re completely capable of surviving in this universe on your own, and you’ve got what it takes to look after yourself. 

However, encouraging your man to look after you isn’t a bad thing. It gives him a feeling of accomplishment and acceptance. When you’re able to depend on your man, it makes him feel like he’s become the person he had always wanted to become for you. 

16. Be Cool

Friends are incredibly important to a man, and while most women don’t understand the connection between them, be good to them – even if you don’t like them.

By being funny, smart, and sexy at the same time, you can show his friends how good he has it with you. 

17. Don’t Nag

Learning how to teach your boyfriend to always listen to you is an art form, but it’s never a good idea to nag or complain (especially about his friends or family). Nagging will just make your boyfriend super irritated, really quickly.

18. Don’t Flirt With Other Men 

A good girlfriend is loyal and trustworthy; she won’t make her boyfriend insecure by flirting with other men. Look hot and strut your stuff, but have your eyes fixed only on your man. Not only will that make other men swoon, but it’ll make your man realize how good he has it with you. 

19. Leave Him Heartfelt Notes

Sending him a short message saying “Good morning” or “I miss you” will enliven his day. He’ll love it no matter how brief it is. A nice quick note makes him feel like you remember him every day.

20. Accept Him for His Shortcomings

Expecting nothing less than perfection from your partner is a recipe for disaster. He’s just as human as you are, and like you, he’ll make mistakes. By accepting the flaws he does have, you show him how flexible you are. 

21. Don’t Get Caught Up in the Past

When you disagree with your partner, don’t bring up the past. Allow your relationship to progress, move forward, and grow in strength by letting go of the past.

Avoid saying things like “You always do this,” or “That’s so typical” during a fight. He’s trying his best, and probably doesn’t deserve that. 

22. Don’t Make Big Decisions When In a Bad Mood

If you don’t want to end up regretting your decisions, don’t make them in the first place – particularly when you’re angry. Allow yourself time to cool down so you can make the right choice with a clear head.

23. Always Resolve Your Problems

A great girlfriend won’t let the day pass without resolving any issues. If you care about his emotions, you’ll try to resolve the situation as soon as possible – before things get any worse. The longer it takes for you to talk about an argument, the more difficult it’ll get to resolve and get past it. 

24. Make Him Feel Special

The days when only the man was supposed to woo the girl are gone. Pamper him too! Be the girl who always has nice things to say to him. Making him feel special is the first step to being his special someone. 

25. Be Self-Sufficient

While it’s okay if he pays for dates or takes you shopping, you can’t depend on him for your financial needs in the long run. Let him take care of you, but be independent enough to take care of yourself. 

The Bottom Line

For men, thinking about their great girlfriend is another step to falling more deeply in love with her. 

Do things that make him happy – but do things that make you happy too. This ease allows you to step away from the emotional highs and lows of relationships, and will allow you to see things more logically – making the relationship develop more naturally.