Hi, lovelies! Happy Monday! ☀ I hope you had a great weekend! I mostly relaxed at home which was actually really nice. Alejandro and I watched some movies, went grocery shopping, and took a trip to the mall. We haven’t gotten a chance to be alone these last few weeks because of family gatherings and it was fun just spending time together. We both felt that we needed the quality time and after our weekend together, I couldn’t help but think about how crucial it is to consistently nurture a relationship, especially a long-term one. It’s an important lesson that I seem to learn over and over again, but I’ve been getting better at fostering my own relationship as of late.
I love Alejandro and truly think that in a long-standing relationship, you choose to be with your partner every day. Cheesy, I know…but loving someone kindly, gently, and patiently takes work. It’s worth it, though…because you have something truly beautiful, a person you can call home.
Here are some ways to nurture your long-term relationship. All of these tips come from my heart. They’ve helped me maintain a four-year relationship with the man I hope to call my husband one day.
1. Find ways to make time for one another, whether it’s a date-night or a Netflix marathon.
I know it isn’t always easy to schedule the perfect romantic date. For one thing, Cinderella-themed outings can get really expensive and aren’t always realistic for a couple that’s trying to save money for future investments. Also, sometimes they can be exhausting and stressful. Regardless, it’s important to keep the romance alive with your long-term lover.
Try scheduling a date night once a week. It can be as simple as going out for drinks, cooking a meal together, or dining at your favorite local restaurant. Heck, set up a Netflix date and watch that new comedy flick everyone’s been talking about! Alejandro and I have been going to the movies a lot on Friday nights lately and it’s always wonderful just spending time with him.
2. Actively Listen To What They’re Trying To Tell You.
Relationships are a two way street. It’s crucial to express yourself to your partner. On the other hand, you have to be willing to listen to their thoughts as well. In my life, I’ve noticed relationships fail simply because neither person left any room for communication. Alejandro and I have had really tough conversations. We’ve even almost broken up a couple of times, which I don’t talk about often. But through it all, we’ve kept an open line of communication and are learning to give each other our undivided attention.
If you’re struggling to meet in the middle with your partner about a certain issue, just try to actively listen to them. Take in what they’re saying. Don’t fire back with a response. Think about it, let it sit for a moment. And always communicate kindly.
3. Find Hobbies That You Can Do Together & Engage In Each Other’s Hobbies.
Alejandro and I used to really struggle with this tip. He’s my scientist that loves reading and math. Meanwhile, I’m the artsier one who adores music and writing. While our core values have always been similar, our hobbies couldn’t be any more different. In the beginning of our relationship, I knew that although he listened attentively, he didn’t truly understand my excitement when it came to decoding lyrics and discovering new musical artists. I also got sad whenever he talked about physics with a light in his eyes and I couldn’t grasp advanced concepts that he learned in college.
Eventually, we found hobbies that we could do together, like watching movies, going on scenic walks, taking trips to the museum, and cracking up about The Bachelor. Lately, we have even been getting into one another’s hobbies! 🙂 If you and your partner have different passions, try finding a new hobby you can both enjoy. Also, ask them questions and make an effort to understand their passions. 🙂 They’ll appreciate it!
4. Keep It Sexy
Even though I’m blushing, this one’s a must. After years of dating the same person, you have to discover new ways to keep it sexy. Let’s be honest, sex is probably not the first thing on your mind after a long day of work. I know you probably just want to lounge on your couch and catch up on the latest episode of Black Mirror. But just like any other aspect of your relationship, it’s important to maintain that physical connection. As long as it’s consensual and both of you are feeling in the mood–buy some new lingerie, give your significant other a back massage, go out dancing! Have fun! 🙂
5. Let Them Know You Love Them, Even On The Hardest Days
Finally, don’t forget to let them know you love them. It’s easy to become comfortable but we shouldn’t mistake comfort with complacency. Expressing love doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. It can be helping them with something, telling them that they look amazing today, or cooking a nice meal that they’ll love. Alejandro has been supporting me by taking an active role in launching my blog (whether it’s capturing photos of me or researching ways to help me grow as a blogger). He always encourages me to follow my dreams and I know that he loves me because of his everyday actions.
Even on the rainiest days, show them that you care.
I hope that you enjoyed this post, my darling readers. As always, thank you so much for reading. Here’s to a beautiful and positive start to the week! 💕
Were these tips helpful? Did any of them resonate with you? What are your thoughts about this topic? Please feel free to share your insights down below! 🙂
See you on Wednesday! 💓
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