As 2026 approaches, many people feel the pull to start fresh in love. New year, new mindset, new dating goals. But before downloading another app, planning dates, or chasing chemistry, there is one important step that psychology consistently points to. Understanding yourself comes before understanding a partner. This is not a motivational slogan. It is a pattern supported by decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and relationship science. The quality of your future relationships is strongly shaped by how well …