One of the most common questions couples ask is how they can improve their relationship. Relationships are complex, leaving people to wonder why their partner wants what they do or why men pull away after getting close. Unlike in fairy tales, real relationships require the parties involved to sit down and resolve issues together. In this article, I’ll take you through tips that have worked for me on how to further a relationship.
1. Greetings Are Essential
It may seem unimportant, but something such as a simple hello and a hug can go a long way in cultivating a relationship. This communicates that you’re happy your partner is home, which can make them feel appreciated after a long day at work. Over the years, I’ve found that appreciating your partner in small ways—including telling them how much you missed them throughout the day—increases your bond.
2. Go on Dates Regularly
The hustle and bustle of life can leave you feeling like you have little to no time for your partner. This has led me to establishing weekly, productive check-ins with my partner to ensure that we still spend quality time together to foster our relationship. It can be as simple as having dinner or going out on a movie date. Moreover, if you both have busy schedules during the week, you can consider having lunch dates on weekdays.
3. Talk About Your day
“I’ll love you for better and for worse” is often included when couples get married, but this sentiment is difficult to practice. One of the most effective ways to further your relationship is to discuss how your day went, including the highs and lows. You can also try including your kids in your discussions, which helps in building a family bond.
4. Appreciate Them
One of the things I appreciate about my spouse is that he always brings me flowers. For you, maybe it’s the way he makes you feel special or brings you breakfast in bed once in a while–it can be as simple as being there for you whenever you need him.
Identify one or a few things you like about your spouse and let them know you appreciate those things. Remembering the aspects you love about your partner can make them feel seen, and can be grounding when you have difficult conversations. This practice can also go a long way when working to fix intimacy issues.
5. Look Each Other in the Eyes
This might sound obvious, but it is effective. Your parents may have instilled in you that it’s important to look someone in the eyes when you speak to them, and the same goes for your partner. Making eye contact with someone gives the impression that you care about them and what they’re saying.
In Summary
It’s possible to further your relationship even after you’ve been dating for a while, but this requires thought and communication. It’s not as easy as it sounds and may sometimes require each of you to cede ground–but it’s worth it.
If you want to understand more about other relationship dynamics, check out my recent article on whether or not men pull away when they have feelings for you.
