If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time, then you know that things can become stale. It’s not that you don’t love your partner, it’s that any long-term relationship needed to be refreshed on occasion. If you feel that you’re stuck in a rut, then here are some things you can do to change it up.
15 Ways You Can Refresh Your Relationship
1. Take a Trip
Most couples get so caught in the daily grind that they forget about the wants and needs of their partner. Taking a trip is a great way to reconnect. Leave the children with a babysitter and schedule some time off from work.
You need at least a couple of days to just rest and relax together. However, if you can do a week, then that’s even better. You just need to give your partner your undivided attention without 100 things interrupting you. It can change your entire relationship.
2. Have a Set Time to Unplug
Society has become obsessed with technology. You must take time to unplug from the daily grind and hear what your partner says. If your evening is spent playing video games and texting friends, then it’s easy to see how they can feel left out.
Make a rule that you unplug from technology for an hour or two. A good example would be every night at 7 pm the phones go off. Whatever you can fit into your schedule is best. Remember, your partner needs love and nurturing too. What happens to a plant if you don’t water it? you must enhance your emotional intimacy.
3. Reminisce About the Good Ole’ Days
Everyone falls in love for specific reasons. For some, the attraction is purely physical, while others seem to love someone for their intellect. It’s always nice to stroll down memory lane with your partner.
Relive fun times and milestones in your relationship. Remember when your heart skipped a beat just by seeing their face or smelling their cologne or perfume. Tell them how you felt and still feel about them as it can help to put your relationship back on track.
4. Use Simple Gestures Like Holding Hands
Sometimes you don’t have to do big things to bring the fire back to a relationship, but a simple gesture like holding hands can be so special. It’s a way of connecting even while the world is still going on around you.
The children can be running through the house, the TV is blasting, the oven is cooking dinner, but just holding hands means everything. Your body language is saying, “I get you,” “I love you,” and “were still connected.”
5. Watch a Movie and Snuggle
Movie night on the couch seems pretty benign, but you would be surprised how many people don’t even have time for little pleasures with their partner. Grab some blankets, a bowl of popcorn, and turn on one of your favorite films.
If it helps, you can put the kids to bed early, and put the pets in another room. Make this time all about you and your partner and no one else. Snuggle and watch the movie. It’s a sweet way to spend time together that doesn’t cost a dime.
6. Give Unexpected Gifts
The element of surprise is always welcomed. Have you ever sent flowers to your sweetheart just because? What about a box of their favorite candy sent to them at work? Life is hard, and work is the one place where a special gift can help give them the boost they need to make it through the day.
If it’s a birthday or other special occasion, then you can show up and take them to lunch or even send a singing telegram.
7. Go for a Stroll in the Park
There’s nothing better to help refresh and renew than a walk in nature. Take a stroll hand-in-hand and talk about your dreams and goals for the future. Laugh, spend time soaking up the sun’s golden rays and just be together.
There’s nothing better to get your blood pumping and to lighten your mood than a walk together. The cool evening is also a great time for a leisurely stroll. Something about a moonlit path and the nighttime breeze makes it more romantic.
8. Take Turns Planning Special Times
Take a night each week and declare it a date night. Each of you plans this night based on the other’s preferences. You will be surprised at how much fun you can have when you each have an equal say in your events.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box so that you can refresh your long-term relationship. You can also get other couples involved for some fun and to add a bit of variety to your weekly schedule. Going to dinner and movies with friends makes date night exciting.
9. Have Financial Meetings
Okay, so finances are nothing exciting to plan a date around. However, one of the many reasons couples don’t stay together is money troubles. If you want to refresh your relationship, then look at your long-term financial goals.
If you’re renting now, you may want to purchase a home in the future. Additionally, you can plan ways to save for major purchases. When you’re both on track financially, you can easily get on the same page about other things.
By taking care of this one obstacle that so many people encounter, you will find that your relationship is stronger and better. Both parties should be equally involved in financial endeavors.
10. Kiss Everyday
You would be surprised by the people who go through life without affection daily. Every day, there should be some sort of warmth towards each other. Whether it’s kissing, hugging, or just holding their hand, make sure that you show how much you care.
You should always kiss your partner bye before you go to work, and you should also kiss them before you go to bed. It doesn’t have to be a long and passionate kiss, but just a peck on the lips or cheek will do. It’s just a way to stay connected in this crazy life.
11. Always Say “I Love You”
You know your love your partner and they know it too, but you need to tell them how you feel. Now, a long-term relationship doesn’t require the constant “I love you” phrases that teenagers use, but it does need to be said.
Assure your partner that you do love them and don’t be afraid to tell them. When kissing goodnight or bye in the morning, make sure to include how much you love and care about them.
12. Open the Lines of Communication
It’s easy to keep things yourself that you’re afraid may cause a disagreement or protect the other person. However, you need to keep those lines of communication flowing. Remember the times when you couldn’t wait to tell them about your day?
You need to be sure you tell them everything. You shouldn’t have any secrets between you two, and you want to have their help and support along the way. Once you stop communicating and keep things to yourself, you’re asking for trouble.
13. Use “We” Instead of “I”
One thing that you might need to refresh is your speech. When a couple has been together for a while, it’s common to go your separate ways. Even if you’re physically together, you can easily drift apart.
Try to include them in most aspects of your life, even your vocabulary. You will find that inclusion is something that is very important to people, even when you have time for nothing else.
14. Read a Book To Each Other
There’s something romantic about curling up with a good book, only this time you can bring your partner into the mystery. Choose a genre that you enjoy, and take turns reading to each other.
Reading gives you a chance to get away from social media and allows you to connect on an entirely different level. Form your own book club where you can discuss the excitement from the story and share another aspect of your life.
15. Ask Questions – Never Assume
It’s easy to take your frustrations out on each other. However, it’s important that you ask questions rather than assume things. Even if it’s a small issue, always give your partner the benefit of the doubt.
You will be amazed at how you can refresh your relationship by changing the way you speak and think about your significant other.
Final Thoughts on How to Refresh Your Relationship
Relationships take work and plenty of it. You can find easy ways to engage with one another as well as change the current way you do things. With a few tweaks here or there, you will find that the very reason you got together is still the reason you stay together today.
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