Published on
Updated
Reading 2 min.
It’s a fact: receiving flowers or a small gift on Valentine’s Day is always a pleasure. But that’s not what will strengthen your relationship, not in a deep way, at least. To strengthen ties with your partner, focus on these little things that are easy to put in place.
All people, especially those in a relationship, like to receive a little attention from their partner for Valentine’s Day. But to really strengthen ties with him (or her), focus on these small gestures, recommended by Amy Morin, author of the book “13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don’t Do”, in order to cultivate lasting love.
Keep a photo of your partner near you
By having your partner constantly in front of you, with a photo on your desktop or as a wallpaper on your phone, this helps increase your commitment to your relationship.
Remind your partner why you chose them
When you’ve been in a relationship for a long time, you sometimes take certain things – like your partner – for granted. The first excitements of the beginnings have passed and life as a couple no longer necessarily has any spice. Still, it’s essential to remind your partner how lucky you are to have them in your life. You can list the reasons for your choice and read them to him during your Valentine’s Day dinner. Remind yourself of these qualities regularly, too, afterwards.
Learn to better regulate your emotions
Working on yourself to change is the best gift you can give your spouse. Whether it’s learning to swallow your anger, better manage your anxiety, tolerate frustration, tolerate discomfort… Bet on learning to better regulate your emotions, with the help of a specialist, if necessary and you will see the improvement in your relationship, between now and next Valentine’s Day.
Look for the positive in your partner
At the beginning of your relationship, everything is so idyllic that it’s easy to not see what you don’t like in your partner. Over time, this is reversed and it is not uncommon to meet couples who only highlight the negative in each other. To counteract this, you must learn gratitude. Valentine’s Day is therefore an opportunity to list the positive things that your partner has done recently and that you appreciated.
Discuss the limits you want to set in the future
Valentine’s Day can also be the time to set future rules in your relationship: are you spending too much time at work? With your friends ? Your family ? Setting rules to protect your relationship will only strengthen it.
Plan something fun to do together
If you are bored when you are in a relationship, this does not bode well for the future of the relationship. It is therefore important to learn to plan activities with your partner, by finding activities to do together. It could be a dance class, a cooking class, a weekend… It doesn’t matter, the main objective being above all to spend time with your other half.
Make a couples therapy appointment
Couples therapy is often a recourse for couples on the verge of breakup. In reality, it is possible to make an appointment to do a sort of review of your relationship. The opportunity to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship. “To do alone, if your partner is not interested in the process” concludes Amy Morin.
Slide: Good resolutions for a happy couple