As time goes on, it would serve us well to find simple ways to improve our relationship with our spouse. In our modern world of technology, distractions, and interruptions it can become increasingly harder to feel connected to our beloved.
We already know how challenging relationships can be. Even couples who always seem to look picture-perfect on social media go through their fair share of ups and downs.
The good news is that there are many ways to solve many of the common issues that you may be facing as a couple. Many of these suggestions might seem like common sense but when life gets in the way, common sense goes out of the window.
Here are 5 tips to help you build a strong, romantic relationship that’s built on communication, trust, and love.
- Be Supportive
I know, Duh?? This sounds like common sense but do we really know how to this on a practical level? Here’s a great way to get started with this one. Try asking your partner about their day. Actively listen and pay close attention (this implies eye contact and no multi-tasking..so put your phone down) to their response, even if it’s a bunch of complaints and you don’t want to lower your vibes. Showing your support doesn’t only have to show up for big work projects and promotions. It’s the everyday signs of caring and empathy that matter most. This is a great way to communicate empathy, compassion, and understanding.
Be intentional and proactive in your actions. Here’s another quick tip. Get in the habit of sending a quick text or email during the day to “just check-in” and say hi. Sometimes it’s just good to hear “the voice” of your loved one when you’re in the midst of the battle during the day. Smiling emojis can work wonders. These little gestures help build a stronger relationship and can make your spouse feel validated.
- Savor the Tiny Gestures
A great relationship is a work in progress. It is the journey of a million miles. Try to focus more on the small daily effort that gives your relationship true meaning and value.
Although there is definitely a place for huge gestures in a relationship, they are not always necessary.
For whatever reason, we tend to look for grandiosity when pleasing our spouse. When we focus on the big event type gestures, we often overlook the power of making a small effort on a regular basis. There are a ton of little things we can do each day to nurture our relationship. It’s those tiny ongoing gestures that show your love and support for one another. It’s a smile, a kiss on the cheek, an unexpected hug that can go a long way. It lets the other know that they are prioritized in the midst of the mundane.
- Spice Things Up A Bit, Yeah?
Picture this: You eat the same meal every day. After a while, it becomes humdrum and “booooooring”. It’s the same way with your romantic life. Trying new things to add a new dimension to your intimacy and bring you closer together.
Variety is the backbone of any strong relationship.
Why not plan a dinner date or an impromptu lunch at your spouse’s favorite restaurant? Surprise!
The feeling that you are making time for the other person in your life is the root of any romance. Prioritizing time for one another means you’re not just an afterthought.
- Show Appreciation
Whether you’ve been in a relationship for six months or 30 years, relationships get comfortable after a while. Although this can be a good thing, it can also create an opportunity for you to take your spouse for granted. This is one of the biggest problems that arise in long-term relationships. It’s almost natural to slip into your comfort zone once you’ve been in it for a while. But the truth is that humans crave attention and appreciation. This too is natural. Honor your relationship and your spouse by letting them how much you truly appreciate them. Remember, no one is obligated to do anything for you. They do it out of the kindness of their heart. Be mindful to return this kindness by simply saying, thank you.
- Up level Your Communication Skills
Most people naturally think that they are great communicators because they may be great orators. Nothing could be further from the truth. The ability to speak well is not necessarily the same as speaking into someone’s soul and being heard. Communication is a highly intuitive skill. You have to learn to be good at it. It takes hard work, commitment, and practice.
Work, responsibilities, money, and kids all take their toll on relationships. They’re some of the main reasons why the effort that communication between couples demands takes a back seat to everything else.
One way to introduce good communication into your lives is to create a daily check-in session. This is where you talk with your spouse about just normal, ordinary, everyday things.
But, in the long run, these meaningful topics are what help deepen your intimacy and connection.
You get better at actively listening as well as speaking and being heard.
This practice opens up the lines of communication in a relationship. When communication lines are open between you and your partner, it helps prevent small issues from snowballing into bigger problems. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you dispute every little thing. It just means that you develop the habit of calling out issues with each other in a mature, calm, and understanding way. You can casually bring it up difficult topics in one of your daily check-ins.
Over time, this can become a habit where you effectively nip things in the bud and get them out of your mind keeping them from festering.
Bonus Tip: Read a book!
There are tons of great books written by experts that teach strategies on how to have a great relationship. For the most part, it never crosses our minds to read one of them. Instead, we simply shoot from the hip or repeat toxic patterns that maybe we picked up as a child. Your marriage is probably the most valuable relationship in your life. So why not invest the time, energy, and money to make it great. 🙂
Be well + prosper,
Elaine xx