Fall In Love Again & Again
It's normal for people to fall out of love; it's also normal for healthy & loving relationships to stagnate a little over time. Whether it's a dead bedroom or a jam-packed schedule, a ton of different factors can put strain on relationships. Read on to discover how you can feel those first date butterflies again even after years of marriage.
1. Have Date Nights
Just because you live together or have a ring on your finger doesn't mean date night has to stop! Going on dates is a great way to get an old relationship to feel new again. So book a babysitter for the kids, and enjoy each others' company.
2. Flirt
Likewise, there's no reason why flirting needs to stop when a relationship gets serious. Even the most committed couples shouldn't be too serious. Flirting is a fun way to compliment your partner and make them laugh.
3. Be Curious
Do you remember when you first fell in love with your partner and you wanted to know everything about them down to the phone number at their childhood home? Where did all that curiosity go? Ask your partner questions about their day, and really listen when they answer.
4. Practice Emotional Intimacy
Emotional intimacy is just as, if not more, important than physical intimacy. Emotional intimacy involves being vulnerable and trusting with your partner without judgement. We go into a few ways to be emotionally intimate further down the list.
5. Use Gentle Touch
In some relationships, taking intimacy off the table for a few weeks can strengthen both your emotional bond and your physical chemistry. In others, being exploratory about intimacy can have the same effect. In all relationships, gentle touches like hand-holding, hugging, and snuggling can set the foundation for more.
6. Share Secrets
Like we said, intimacy isn't always about the physical. One way to strengthen your emotional bond is by sharing secrets, big or small. They don't have to be confessions, but even something as trivial as "I'm scared of snails" can bring you closer.
7. Go Back To The Beginning
Maybe you met in high school, or at a party, or through the internet. Wherever you and your partner first locked eyes (and lips) is a great place to return to. We don't mean this literally—you shouldn't literally hang around high school—but revisiting old dates and old haunts can work as a strong sense memory.
8. Say Thank You
Two little words can go a long way—sometimes even longer than "I love you". Don't underestimate how powerful gratitude can be when expressed to a partner. Say it often and mean it.
9. Be Open To Change
Nothing stays the same forever, not even the strongest relationships. In order to stay together, you may have to shake things up and grow even closer. Explore how your relationship can evolve.
10. Write Love Letters
Love letters have fallen out of style in our digital age, and that's a darn shame, as anyone who's read Jane Austen knows the power of a good love letter. You could slip a note into your partner's lunchbox as a sweet surprise. Plus, it's a great way to flex those creative writing muscles.
Photo By: Kaboompics.com on Pexels
11. Take Pictures
One fantastic way to remember all the good times you've had is to document them. Taking pictures won't ruin the mood or distract from the moment—it can make the moment last forever. Bonus points if you get them printed so you can look through them together.
12. Communicate
Communication is the most powerful tool in your arsenal. If you're unhappy with how your relationship is stagnating, say something to your partner and have an open discussion about it. Be honest about what you're feeling and what you want our of the relationship.
13. Learn Their Love Language
The five love languages are 1) Words of Affirmation, 2) Quality Time, 3) Gifts, 4) Acts of Service, and 5) Physical Touch. You and your partner can take a quiz together to find out your respective love languages. After that, you can work on incorporating those love languages into daily life.
14. Build A Memory Jar
Memories can be fleeting, even the ones we want to hold onto. Writing down all your happiest memories together and adding them to your memory jar can help you hold onto that joy. At the end of the year, you can go through the memories together and remember all the great times you had.
15. Be Spontaneous
Sometimes schedules can help relationships, other times they can hurt. If you're frustrated by having your joint life scheduled down to the minute, throw the schedule out the window for a weekend. Take a day trip out of the city, or try a new hobby just for fun.
16. Say I Love You
While we said earlier that "thank you" are two of the most important words people can say to each other, you shouldn't be skipping over saying "I love you" just because it's a given. Sure, your partner probably knows that you love them, but it's always nice to hear. You'd be surprised by how many ways there are to say I love you.
17. Surprise Your Partner
Surprises can be big or small, from having their favorite treat waiting for them at home, to planning an evening out. You could also surprise your partner by picking up a new skill or giving them a handmade gift. Obviously, if your partner doesn't like surprises, you don't have to do this.
18. Get Your Hearts Racing
Adrenaline and endorphins go hand-in-hand, and there's no better way to get your hearts beating in sync than to make them race. If you're sports fans, get tickets to the big game; if you're horror movie buffs you could visit a haunted house. Controlled adrenaline is very powerful for bonding.
19. Take Care Of Yourself
When two people are together for a long time, it's natural for them to start blending together. While you and your partner may share passions and interests, it's important to make sure you each retain your identity. Loving yourself will make someone else's love even stronger.
20. Have Fun
Few adults make time in their busy lives for play, and what better way to reconnect with your partner than to feel like kids together. This could mean being bad at something together—we love the trend where couples swap paintings—or simply having fun. Throw a two-person dance party in your living room!
