At the beginning of romantic relationships, showing affection is usually abundant and plenty. Whether it’s holding hands or giving your partner words of affirmation, showing affection comes easy to us in the honeymoon phase. As time goes on, other facets of a romantic relationship often take precedence, and showing affection to our significant other can be put on the back burner. This isn’t because we no longer care about our partner, but it’s more about getting caught up in other routines.
Some couples go on to get married, have children, and get caught up in daily life. Careers, housework, and caring for the little ones in the family might make you feel overwhelmed or simply exhausted at the end of the day, resulting in your long-term relationship becoming less and less of a priority to either you, your spouse, or both of you. Suddenly, quality time is a thing of the past.
Whether you are dealing with a serious rift in your relationship, or you simply want to become a better husband or wife, these are some of the best ways to make your spouse feel loved, appreciated, and special, as they did in the beginning.
Do you still surprise them out of the blue?
At the beginning of relationships, it’s not uncommon to surprise your partner with little gifts to show your appreciation for them. These moments make us feel significant and show us our spouse was thinking about us. Sometimes it’s about the little things that can make us feel more connected in our relationship and can have a big impact in the long run.
If the last piece of jewelry you got for your spouse was an engagement ring or a wedding band, it might be a good idea to treat them to something special, such as a Tiffany’s cushion cut diamond ring, a kitchen appliance they have been holding back on buying, or something as simple as a card that tells them you were thinking of them and appreciate all they do. Depending on the occasion, different gifts can be a great way of expressing love. For a special anniversary gift, though, opt for a Tiffany diamond instead of a card. If your finances don’t allow a natural diamond, you should know that synthetic diamonds get you all the sparkle and carats without breaking the bank.
These romantic gestures can turn a bad day into a great one, as well as serve as a symbol for a fresh start for your partnership. Each time they look at the gift, they will be reminded of how special it made them feel at the moment they received it.
Do you withhold physical intimacy?
When two lovebirds are just starting their romantic relationship, they might be all over each other physically, even showing public displays of affection because they can’t help but get close to one another. As time goes on, these moments may occur less often, and with less intensity.
It’s a good idea to have an honest conversation with your partner about what their needs are in this area and whether or not they are being met. Whether the goal is to have sex more often or simply kiss each other goodbye before leaving for work, these actions can go a long way when it comes to reigniting the passion in your relationship. Be honest with your spouse about both positive things and the resentment you may feel. Once you’ve been honest, you’ll have their full attention during foreplay, which will equal a good time for both of you on date night.
Are you mindful of your words and actions?
Mindfulness is a huge deal when it comes to communicating physically or verbally with your partner. We can all do a better job when it comes to being more mindful of the way we complement our significant others on a regular basis.
Try to give your full attention to your partner when they are speaking, so you can better understand where they are at and you can give them positive feedback and show you truly care about their needs, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional. The most successful marriage takes mindfulness into account. Each partner should follow it up with reciprocal behavior to not only discuss potential faults but act in ways to fully address and fix the issues.