Welcome to Relationship Building week! We’ve decided to spend the next week offering articles to help you build your relationships by exploring concepts that help couples grow closer together. Part IV of our Relationship Building series focuses on how setting aside days where it’s all about your partner can really make a big difference in the continued quality of your relationship.
We all know that relationships are built on compromise. If you’ve ever had even a semi-successful relationship, you know that it takes both parties conceding some things to really keep it going. If you’ve never quite had that successful relationship, maybe that’s a part of the problem! But for those that are in a relationship, you know that we become so used to compromise that it just becomes part of our daily routine. It’s almost as if we get desensitized sometimes that we don’t even think about what we’re saying. We’re so used to our partners that we can just do the right thing without even thinking about it. The good thing about this is we can use that comfortability and routine to our advantage and surprise our partner with a day that is all about them!
Just like anything in life, the less you get to do something the more exciting it becomes. While a special day all about the things you like to do isn’t really all that ground-breaking to a single person, or maybe even a young couple, it’s huge for a person with a family or a long-term relationship. Setting aside a special day just for your partner where you maybe go to their favorite restaurant, do their favorite activity, and let them splurge on the things that you normally don’t. Not only does it show your partner that you care about them enough to let them have a special day, you’re also showing them your commitment to the relationship by trying to break up the monotony that we all experience.
There is one crucial thing to remember when planning that special day for your partner. Don’t make it about you! It’s easy to get caught up with things that you want to do and that you enjoy, but remember that it’s not about the both of you for that day. It’s not about compromise for that one day. Make it totally about your partner, and even be willing to do activities that you don’t necessarily like just because you know that they do. The reason that the day is special and it brings you closer together is that you’re recognizing all the things that they give up for you, and you want them to at least be able to experience them every once in a while. Being in tune with each other’s feelings and showing that we care enough about our partners do things we don’t necessarily enjoy is a great (and very mature) way to strengthen your relationship.
Come back tomorrow for Part V of the Relationship Building series when we’ll talk about how getting away on a trip with your partner can give you some much needed relief from your daily grind and bring the two of your closer.
