• Start the year right

A New year has finally graced us with its presence so it’s the ideal opportunity to make some resolutions. While you may typically focus on yourself, your career, and your fitness routine, there’s one part of your life you don’t want to neglect: your marriage.

Whether you’re living in wedded bliss or riding an emotional roller coaster, there are always ways to improve your relationship. Not sure where to begin?

Dedicate time to talking honestly.

Speaking with your partner should be ef ­fortless. Or, at least, that’s what many of us misguidedly presume. The truth is a little more complicated. When you’ve been in a relation ­ship for a matter of years, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. You might switch off when they start talking about a certain subject or give automatic replies without engaging. Whatever the issue with your communication style, it’s time to tackle it.

Listening to each other is important if you would like to feel intimate. It’s an art and we can assume so much about our partner without really taking the time to get to know them. Taking some time away from the home could help. You can begin by going out once a week and expressing affirmations and then listening to each other.

Sharing can take courage but is so worth it. Practice by writing in your journal or speak ­ing to friends first. Share what is happening in your life or what you desire. When you become clear, you may be surprised what your partner does for you.”

Slow down and focus.

Okay, so you’ve finally sat down without distractions—to talk. Now, what? One of the biggest mistakes you can make is constantly interrupting your partner. You might think you know them so well t hat you can predict exactly what they’re going to say. Not so fast.

Taking time to slow down is crucial in a con ­nection. You could take turns speaking and time each other for five minutes, Of course, this can be especially challenging if you’re disagreeing on something, but the same approach stands. It can be triggering to hear your partner say difficult things but you can get help from a counsellor.

Rediscover each other’s personality.

There was something that drew you to your partner. Have you forgotten what that was? Do you remember the early days of dating? Cast your mind back to the start of your relation ­ship. You were likely eager t o learn all there was to know about your partner. Even the most mundane details of their lives were vital puzzle pieces as you meticulously put together the full picture. But something changed along the way.

Now that we’ve entered the new year, take the opportunity to rediscover your partner ’s personality. Marvel over the things that make them unique. If you’ve been together for a long time, it should come as no surprise that they have grown and changed. Spend some time getting to know who they are now and how they have developed. You might just fall in love again.

To be continued…