Whether you’ve been dating your partner for a few months or have been married for five years, healthy relationships are built on commitment, mutual respect, and effort. While you probably felt an instant and effortless spark when you first met, maintaining that spark as your relationship develops takes workâbut don’t worry, it will be the most fun and rewarding work you’ll ever do. While every relationship is unique, you can always strive to strengthen your bond, friendship, and intimacy. Seeking Online Therapy to make your relationship better would be helpful. Try these ten things right now to improve your relationship.
1. Something new to ask your partner
Communication is arguably the most important determinant of relationship success. It’s nice to inquire about your partner’s day, but it can become tedious if you ask the same question every day or don’t branch out into new topics of conversation. Improve your relationship and communication by making an extra effort to ask your significant other a more specific question. If you ask new questions, you will avoid going through the motions, listen more intently to each other, and have more meaningful discussions(such as “How did you feel about that?” or “What do you prefer doing at work instead?”).
2. Make a monthly date night
With both of your hectic schedules and never-ending responsibilities, the most fool proof way to ensure that you’ll make time for each other is to dedicate a night each month to strengthening your bond and reigniting that spark. Schedule a date if you want to spice up your relationship or do something together that doesn’t involve Netflix. Even a single night out can have long-term consequences.
3. Thank them
We can become so comfortable in long-term relationships and routines that we expect our partners to meet all of our needs, whether it’s how they treat us or the daily chores they do. Saying a simple “thank you” for cleaning the dishes after dinner or complimenting you reinforces their good behaviour and makes them feel appreciated, while also reminding you of why you love them. It’s also important to express your gratitude and appreciation for their presence in your life and how much they mean to you (and not just what they do for you).
4. Schedule a check-in
While scheduling may not seem sexy or spontaneous, making sure you check in with each other on a regular basis will keep your relationship strong. Checking in means fewer fights, more communication, and better connection because it’s easy to let annoyance after annoyance pile up until it becomes a full-fledged fight. After all, a relationship is just two people attempting to meet each other’s needs. Use a check-in to talk about any recent triggers, problems, or even all the good things that deserve to be recognised. Put this on your calendars monthly, weekly, or even daily so you don’t forget or skip it.
5. Consider the minor details
Another way to make your conversation more meaningful is to truly listen to what your significant other is saying and then bring up those minor details again later. For example, if your partner mentions wanting a new pair of shoes, make a note of it to give to them for their upcoming birthday, or if your significant other mentions wanting to try a restaurant you haven’t been to, suggest it for your next date night or surprise them with takeout. Paying attention to and remembering even minor details that your partner says demonstrates how much you listen, care, and want them to feel loved. Overall, it’s the little things that count.
6. Let the past go
What happens in the past doesn’t always stay in the past, as a culprit for many potential arguments and the underlying issue for future ones. However, moving forward in a relationship is difficult when you’re still thinking about past fights, problems, or issues that you’ve already resolved. If you find yourself dwelling on the past, it may be time to take a step back and consider why. Are you naturally less forgiving, or is there something that you just can’t seem to forgive? You’ll gain more clarity within yourself and about what you want from your relationship with your partner if you focus on the cause of this recurring feeling.
7. Display your affection
You know how you feel about your partner, from grabbing their hand in a restaurant to going to bed together at the end of the night, but they should be able to feel it as well. Physical touch can help to maintain romance and connection in long-term relationships. Avoid physical touch routines, which means that the only physical touch in your daily life should be a kiss goodbye or a hug hello (though these are also important gestures). In addition to your greetings and goodbyes, surprise them with a hug, hold their hand in the car or while watching TV, or simply pat them on the arm to feel close. Emotional closeness can result from physical closeness.
8. Discover your partners’ limits
Is your partner upset and wishes to be left alone? Do they mind if you text all day, or do they prefer that you call them when you’re apart at night? Is there a way they prefer to argue or a topic they’re not yet comfortable discussing with you? These are simple questions, but the answers will help you understand your partner’s boundaries (and stop you from crossing them). Overall, your partner’s needs are likely to differ from yours, and understanding their boundaries is the best way to respect them. Talk about your boundaries with each other, but also pay attention and ask questions to better understand them.
9. Laugh with one another
Relationships are simply exclusive friendships. It is essential for couples to love and like each other. While the life-partner stuff (like dividing chores) or the romantic stuff (like holding hands) may be top priorities for improving your relationship, don’t forget about the friendship stuff. Laugh together at least once a day, whether it’s sharing a funny grocery store story, bringing up an inside joke, or watching a show that makes you both laugh out loud. Laughter not only strengthens our bonds but also reminds us that the point of being in a relationship is to enjoy the person we love.
10. Make time to concentrate on yourself
In a relationship, we act according to how we feel about ourselves. For example, if you lack confidence in yourself, you’ll seek assurance in your relationship; if you don’t like being alone with yourself, you’ll need to be around your significant other 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To avoid toxic behaviours, it is critical to have a strong sense of self: Invest in a new hobby, make plans with friends, and start figuring out who you are as a person. You will naturally become the best version of yourself for the person who is falling in love with you if you fall in love with yourself.
Feel free to seek Relationship Counselling at TalktoAngel for more information.
