THREE ESSENTIAL TIPS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP

People say if it’s ain’t broke, don’t fix it. And even more people live this out in their lives especially in their relationship with their spouse or significant other. We attend seminars, read books, take courses, and do what we can to improve our business, career, health, and even business relationships. But we are not that intentional about our romantic relationships. 

Why? It ain’t broken. Everything is fine, and therefore needs no fixing. With this as our mindset, we are oblivious of the fact that we are slowly sliding into the barest minimum or survival zone. We forget that if we are not intentional, we are drifting.

This is why I am here to remind you, that you, my friend, cannot drop the ball. Nope! Don’t get too comfortable surviving in your relationship, you are meant to thrive. And sometimes, thriving doesn’t mean you have to do something out of the ordinary. Sometimes it’s going back to being intentional about the basic or simple things you used to do for, or with your spouse.
So out of the kindness of my heart and because I want you to fully enjoy your relationship, I will share three tips to help strengthen that bond that is getting wornout and loosened up.

We will rekindle the old flames and set your heart on fire again. Some of the tips you already know so take this as an opportunity to relearn them. And if you didn’t know them, this is a privilege to learn. If you used to do the opposite, this is the time to unlearn, break old habits, and develop new healthier ones that will strengthen your relationship. 

Let’s dive right into it:

TIP 1: Never Stop Dating

You remember all the activities, sacrifices, and silly things you used to do for them while you were dating? How you used to climb seven mountains and cross the ocean just to get to them? Well, it doesn’t have to stop! To never stop dating your partner means that you have to be intentional about prioritizing quality time together and make a conscious effort to keep things fresh and exciting. You can achieve this by scheduling regular date nights, whether it’s weekly, biweekly, or monthly, and make it a non-negotiable appointment. Be as intentional as adding it to your calendar, this will communicate to your spouse just how much they mean to you. Try new activities, hobbies, or interests together, plan surprise dates or outings, and take turns planning dates to keep things interesting. Put away distractions like phones and focusing on each other, engaging in meaningful conversations and active listening, and making eye contact and showing affection. Sometimes, it’s not really about how long, but the quality of the time you get to spend together.
Another way to never stop dating is to show appreciation and gratitude. This is also crucial in keeping the spark alive. Express gratitude for your partner and your relationship, show appreciation through small gestures like surprise gifts or notes, and celebrate milestones and special occasions. We can easily get too familiar and overlook the efforts they put into the relationship, taking
care of the children, succeeding in their career and businesses, and we forget to celebrate all of that. Thinking they’re simply playing their role. Well, there’s nothing wrong in thanking a partner who plays their role well, and a simple “thank you” can lead to weeks of getting the best out of them. Making time for romance and is also vital, so prioritize physical intimacy and affection, plan
romantic getaways or staycations, and create a sensual atmosphere at home. Let me ask you a question, when was the last time you went on a date with your wife or husband? Just the two of you? When was the last time you had a getaway to a nice hostel and you spent the weekend just relaxing and being with each other? We get so busy taking care of bills and crushing responsibilities, that we forget to put some money aside to treat our spouse. Well, not anymore. This is your reminder to put some money aside this month and plan a weekend getaway to be with the love of your life.

Ps: It doesn’t have to be extravagant.

TIP 2: Enhance Communication

As we know, effective communication is the foundation of any strong romantic relationship. When you communicate, you exchange thoughts, feelings, information and desires with your partner. When it comes to communication, it transcends beyond merely passing a message. There is a good way and a bad way to communicate, and both have their effects.
When it comes to communication, it should be done regularly. Don’t go the whole day without talking to your partner. Don’t leave the communication till you’re home at night and the kids are in the way. A 5-min check-in during your lunch break will go a long way and can be just the motivation they need to overcome that challenge at work. When you communicate the right way, you build trust, resolve conflicts, foster intimacy, prevent misunderstanding and promote emotional intelligence. 

Here are five tips to do it the right way when it comes to communicating with your spouse: 

Practice Active Listening: Whenever you get to talk to your spouse, make sure to give them your undivided attention, and make eye contact. This is not the time to be on your phone or share the attention you give them with anything else. 

Use “I” Statements: When it comes to expressing your thoughts and feelings during conflict or discussions, use “I” statements, rather than “you” statements, which can come across as accusatory.

Example: “I feel you didn’t give me room to express myself earlier” not “You didn’t give me any room to express myself earlier.

Practice Empathy: Try to understand your partner’s perspective and show empathy. Do not rule out their feelings or make them feel they are wrong for feeling the way they feel, because what they feel is valid.

Avoid Assumptions: Don’t assume you know what your partner is thinking or feeling; instead, ask open-ended questions to clarify.

Schedule Regular Check-Ins: Regularly schedule time to communicate and connect with your partner. This way, you catch up on what you missed and also give them room to express things they didn’t get to say earlier.
By prioritizing effective communication, you can build a stronger, more resilient relationship that withstands life’s challenges.

TIP 3: Trust and Intimacy

Trust and intimacy are essential components of any healthy romantic relationship. Trust is the faith and confidence you have in your partner’s words, actions, and intentions. It is the foundation of a healthy relationship, allowing partners to feel secure and supported. 

There are three types of trust: emotional trust, which involves feeling safe to share emotions and vulnerabilities; physical trust, which involves feeling safe in physical interactions and intimacy; and financial trust, which involves trusting your partner to manage finances responsibly.

When it comes to building trust, you need to be consistent, transparent, vulnerable, and reliable. Consistently following through on your commitments, being open and honest in your communication, share vulnerabilities and fears with your partner, and be a dependable and
responsible partner. Are you transparent and honest with your partner, sharing the whole truth with them, or do you withhold information? Or do you reserve intimate conversations for others, rather than your partner?

However, if trust is broken, rebuilding it requires effort, commitment, and communication from both partners. Don’t give room to insecurity and forgive them for the mistakes they made in the past. You can rebuild the trust and your relationship can be strong again. Intimacy, on the other hand, refers to the emotional, physical, and spiritual connection between partners. It fosters a sense of closeness, vulnerability, and connection, strengthening the bond between partners. 

There are three types of intimacy: emotional intimacy, which involves sharing emotions, thoughts, and desires; physical intimacy, which involves engaging in physical touch, intimacy, and affection; and spiritual intimacy, which involves sharing spiritual beliefs, values, and practices.

Building intimacy requires quality time, vulnerability, communication, and physical touch. Spending quality time together, engaging in shared activities, sharing vulnerabilities and fears with your partner, practicing open and honest communication, and engaging in physical touch are all essential in establishing and maintaining intimacy. Regularly scheduling quality time, practicing vulnerability, and communicating openly can help maintain intimacy in relationships. The connection between trust and intimacy is profound. Trust is essential for building and maintaining intimacy in relationships, while intimacy can help strengthen trust by fostering a
sense of closeness and connection.

Trust and intimacy can reinforce each other, creating a positive feedback loop that strengthens the relationship. By cultivating trust and intimacy, you can build a stronger, more resilient relationship that brings joy, fulfillment, and connection to your life. So there you have it; never stop date, enhance your communication, and build trust and intimacy.

There are many more ways to strengthen your romantic relationship and I would love for you to explore as many as you can. It’s a journey and you can always experiment to get the best out of your relationship.
By following the tips shared here and many more, you can strengthen your romantic relationship and create a positive impact on other areas of your life.
I am rooting for you! May your relationship get sweeter and the bond, stronger!