It’s difficult, sometimes, to make your relationship with your spouse or partner a priority, isn’t it? Take a moment to think about your relationship during the past year. Most of us can come up with a few things we’d like to do differently. So, let’s talk about how you can make your relationship a priority in the coming year.
Set Aside Time for Each Other
This can be easier said than done, of course. However, if your relationship is going to be a priority in the coming year, it is important for you to set aside some time to reconnect. Every couple handles this differently, and it’s important for you to find the method that works the best for your relationship. Some couples enjoy going out to dinner once a week, or even just once a month. Others find that having a morning cup of coffee together, or setting aside a few minutes to talk before bed, can have a tremendous positive impact on their relationships. The most important thing is to make time to spend together, without the television in front of you, and away from the kids, if you have them. You need this time.
Ask Yourself: Is This Good for Our Relationship?
In every relationship, there are bound to be some big decisions that need to be made. As you may have found out the hard way, making decisions on your own isn’t always good for your relationship. Make a commitment to each other to ask yourselves this question before you make any more decisions. For example, let’s say you want to buy a big screen television for your “Man Cave” but your spouse would rather put that money into a college savings account. It can be tempting to make the purchase anyway, and deal with the aftermath later. However, putting your relationship first means discussing these types of decisions and coming up with a solution that works for both of you. Who knows? You might just come up with another way to get that big screen television, and it will be something that makes you both happy.
Put Some Healthy Boundaries in Place
Putting your relationship first means putting it first. That isn’t always easy to do when you have family members that you want to keep happy. No one wants to ruffle any feathers around the holidays, but it is important to remember that you need to start your own traditions, as well. Your parents can be a great source of comfort and guidance for you, and many parents are. However, some have difficulty letting go. This might call for some tough conversations with family members who do not understand your need to make your relationship a priority. However, once you have these conversations, you’ll feel much better. You’ll also be giving your spouse or partner a wonderful gift – respect.
Making your relationship with your spouse or your partner a priority is an excellent New Year’s resolution! By taking the steps to put your relationship first, you’ll find that this year you can see some real changes that will only bring you closer together.