Jermaine Jamero
Any relationship requires attention from all those involved. You’ll notice that anything you really wanted, you put a lot of your focus and intention into. Relationships are no different. In fact, this is essential for a healthy connection to thrive. Couples oftentimes experience issues of miscommunication or misunderstanding due to the fact that they aren’t giving the conversation their full and undivided attention. Maintaining a successful romantic relationship means knowing how to prioritize adequate time for your loved one. If you or your partner have varying schedules or have very busy lifestyles, then the time you do have with each other should be quality time spent together. The following tips are just a few ways to nurture your relationship with the attention it needs.
1. Come Up with a Ritual
Get into the habit of forming a ritual with your spouse that both of you enjoy doing on a regular basis. This doesn’t have to be a daily activity. For example, you can schedule a dinner date with your lover every Friday. This promise to be a part of this meeting will further strengthen the connection of the relationship as it becomes a consistent habit.
2. Be the Listener
Although it is quite normal that many couples do experience intense arguments, it isn’t healthy. However, it is healthy to disagree and try to come to some common ground. Some level of understanding should be reached between those involved. If you still don’t see eye to eye, then it is best to learn how to agree to disagree. If you have the habit of talking over your partner or speaking just to be heard, then you can practice active listening. If both people are speaking at the same time, then no one will hear anyone. Therefore, nothing will truly progress.
3. Speak Up
It can be very easy to keep your ideas to yourself. Many people do it to avoid any chance of confrontation. Some people do it because they feel as though their words will fall on deaf ears. So, they end up internalizing a lot of their thoughts and frustrations. This builds tension and resentment towards your partner. So, it is important for both people to speak their minds in a respectful manner. You may be surprised at the level of receptivity you receive.
4. Show Them How You Feel
It’s very unlikely that you or your partner can read each other’s mind despite however close your connection might be. Be mindful of how you speak to one another and treat your partner. Although you may know the magnitude of love you have for your significant other, they need to know as well. It can be dangerous to expect your partner to understand how you feel without reciprocating it through your actions. So, put intention into the actions you take with your loved one.
5. Respect the Boundaries
Any relationship with a solid relationship has its own established boundaries. There are certain lines that cannot be crossed by either partner or it is seen as disrespect to the connection. Some common boundaries including complete honesty, transparency, and loyalty. It is important to upkeep these standards so that you and your partner can maintain trust.
6. Gratitude
Look at all the things your partner does for you. It is important that you and your partner both feel appreciated and that their efforts are not in vain. It feels good for your contribution to be acknowledged. So, acknowledge their contribution by expressing how thankful you are.
7. Be Good Friends
You are not only lovers with your spouse. You are also friends with them. Many people start out their relationships from a romantic perspective. This is fine, but there is also a need for balance. After the honeymoon phase, there should still be things you both have in common and just a general sense of comradery.
8. Know What You Need and Want
If you don’t know what you want or need, then it will be impossible to relay that to your partner. You might find yourself being unfulfilled because whatever you are receiving is not what you truly want. Get in touch with yourself and figure out what it is that you want out of a relationship and from your partner. It is only fair to them so that they know whether or not they will be able to meet these demands.
9. Spend Time Apart
Although you are in a partnership with your significant other, both of you are still individuals and have to maintain individuality. As a couple, your two worlds may naturally join together. However, make sure you are not losing yourself. Maybe you are giving the relationship a bit too much attention. In this case, people can begin to feel smothered and suffocated in the connection. Try to reestablish some space in the connection and learn to be comfortable with it.
10. Be Mindful of Toxic Cycles
Practice self-awareness in your relationship. If you or your spouse have negative habits, it is best to extinguish them before it leaves psychological wounds on either person.
11. Leave the Past in the Past
Don’t go for low blows during any arguments or disagreements with your boyfriend or girlfriend. If something occurred in the past and it bares no relation to what may be going on currently, let it go. It shows some degree of spite or bitterness when a partner brings up something that happened in the past that both of you agreed was no longer an issue. It undermines the other person’s growth and changes they might’ve made to be a better partner to you.
12. No Generalizations, No Assumptions
Try not to speak in generalizations because it can paint a disproportionate picture of what is really going on. For example, don’t say “You always ignore me.” This negates the many times your partner doesn’t ignore you. Instead, be more specific whenever you are addressing issues so that your spouse knows exactly which instances you are referring to. Your partner just might not know how to respond during certain topics even though their intentions are in a good place. Give them the benefit of the doubt that they are not being malicious and ask them for clarification.
13. Make Promises You Can Keep
Make sure you are making promises that you can keep. Yes, we all have things we want to do or would love to do for our significant other. However, we must understand what we are able to do now. You don’t want to get your hopes up only for your the expectations not to be met. So, don’t do this to your spouse. If you know you will likely not have the time or perhaps you do not have the resources to give your mate, then do not make any promises contingent on what it is that you don’t have. This can create disappointment and distrust.
14. Be Transparent
If something is bothering you, tell your partner immediately. Don’t wait for them to see the problem and don’t expect them to know exactly how you are feeling at every second. Sometimes others have a lot on their minds and aren’t always aware of when you need their emotional support. So, express your needs and desires to your partner openly.
15. Compliment Frequently
It’s always good to be reminded of how your lover views you from their eyes. Perhaps the romance has been on the backburner in the connect. Offering compliments will keep the relationship in a healthy place by allowing each person to feel secure and desired by their boyfriend/girlfriend.
16. Cook Dinner Together
Having an activity for both of you to engage in will allow you to see a much different side of each other. Cooking a meal together will give you a sense of working as a team and learning to receive and provide help.
17. Couple’s Therapy
Marriage counseling or couple’s therapy isn’t a last ditch resort. It is a preventative measure and also a very good way to understand your partner. There doesn’t have to be dissonance in your relationship in order to seek couple’s therapy. Getting advice from an outside source will provide benefits such as clarity, incite, childhood healing, empathy, and compassion.
18. Surprises, Surprises!
Add some spice to your relationship every once in a while. It is okay t be spontaneous and do something different on a whim. Be more intimate with your partner. Take them on a surprise outing somewhere they always wanted to go. They will fall madly in love with you for taking the time out to make their day.
19. Take a Trip Together
Go out and see some things, experience different cultures, taste new foods, etc. It’s a wonderful experience to enjoy new things together. If you’re feeling adventurous, then plan trips with your loved one to sites that are entirely new to both of you.
20. Explore Their Interests
Let’s just say you and your partner don’t share everything in common. Be open minded to the things that they are interested in. This doesn’t mean to like what they like and to pretend. this imply means to keep an open mind and at least try a hobby of theirs. They will see your efforts and appreciate you for wanting to have a deeper bond.