When did you last take some time to evaluate your relationship with your significant other? Whether you feel things are going great or are somewhat rocky, the truth is probably more complex and could use some examining. No matter what state your relationship is in, it never hurts to put some time and effort into improving it.
Taking the first step is the hardest part of promoting communication, spontaneity, and honesty in a relationship. If you don’t know where to begin with critically examining your relationship, consider some of these ideas for strengthening your connection with the one you love most:
Give a Gift
Giving your partner a gift -- even if there’s no particular occasion to celebrate -- injects a bit of fun and surprise into a relationship. It’s also an opportunity to take a short break from the distractions of the outside world and express your feelings, whether it’s through a highly personal item or a custom greeting card.
Gifts don’t have to be expensive or extravagant; the mere gesture of giving a gift can bring new life and thoughtfulness to your relationship.
Plan a Night Out
Sometimes relationships get stuck in a rut because they need a change of scenery. If you and your significant other have settled into a routine of hanging around the house once you get home from work, perhaps you need to break up the monotony a bit!
Sure, we’re all tired when we come home from work, school, or whatever other obligations tie us up during the day, but that shouldn’t keep us from sharing special new experiences with our partners. Brainstorm with your partner and organize an activity you’ve both been hoping to try!
Consider Couples Counseling
Couples counseling can help you and your partner even if your relationship isn’t on the rocks. Counselors are highly qualified to diagnose and address communication issues between members of a relationship. Couples that argue frequently (even if they’re generally happy overall) can expect to get some clarity from an impartial arbiter who can mediate conflicts. Additionally, the counseling setting encourages couples to open up to each other when they might otherwise stay silent. Below are some of the most notable benefits of couples counseling:
1. A professional counselor can help you and your partner set boundaries.
No matter how much you love somebody, sometimes saying no is essential -- for both your own well-being and that of your relationship. Sometimes we get so caught up in pleasing those we love, that we do not recognize when we suffer as a result.
Remember: there is nothing selfish about putting yourself first every once in a while. If you do not know how to be assertive, this is where couples counseling can help both you and your partner by identifying the difference between healthy and unhealthy boundaries and which presently plague your relationship.
2. A professional counselor can help you and your partner communicate with each other calmly and objectively.
No matter how much you love your partner, you are bound to disagree with each other from time to time. That is just how human beings are. However, you can make your disagreements a lot less draining on yourself and your partner if you learn how to work through them without raising your voice or personally attacking each other.
Your counselor can help you and your partner spot language that might provoke arguments or keep them raging on. For instance, you might find yourself playing the blame game so often that you grow numb to the “you” statements you throw at each other, which really are usually just accusations. When you learn to communicate with your partner with an open mind, you are much more likely to resolve issues without lingering resentment.
3. A professional counselor can help you and your partner verbalize your needs to one another.
No person is the same. Even if you and your partner seem to be made for each other, chances are high that there are areas where you two clash. A counselor can help you and your partner identify these areas and come up with plans that address both of yours equally. Allow both yourself and your partner to be honest. The more honest you are, the more effective your counseling sessions will be.
Bottomline: Counseling Can Help Anyone
Many couples are hesitant to get on board with the idea of couples counseling, because they see it as the last step in a relationship before breakup or divorce. That’s not the case at all! While strained relationships can certainly rediscover their harmony through couples counseling, happy relationships can experience improvements through counseling as well. No relationship is perfect, so maintenance never fails to pay off
Visit our couples counseling page at https://www.wakecounseling.com/couples-counseling/
Call us at 919-647-4600
