Between work, school, and all of our other responsibilities, we sometimes get lost in a downward spiral of "me, me, me". We start to let our relationships with our support systems, especially our significant others, fall to the wayside.
But when it comes to relationships, you get out what you put in. Keeping a healthy relationship is hard work, but we do it because it is so, so worth it in the end to know you have someone that will always be there for you when you need them.
If you feel like you've gotten off track with your relationships, this article will give you some good suggestions and reminders on how to be a better partner to your favorite person. (But also remember that this is a two-way street, so if you aren't getting anything back for your efforts, it may be time for a chat.)
1. Listen.
We all are guilty of falling into the "it's all about me" trap from time to time. The next time you talk to your SO, take a minute to really listen to what they have to say. You might be surprised to find out they had something happen today, and they need your support. Maybe they had a great day and are simply excited to share it with you. Either way, really listening and engaging in conversation with your partner shows you truly care about what they're going through and you're there for them if they need you, which will only make your bond stronger.
2. Get excited!
Your life partner just got promoted! They're absolutely ecstatic, and they can't wait to tell you about it as soon as they get home. Image how they must feel when you give them a half-hearted, "That's great, babe" as you continue doing whatever you were doing before they got home. This is your partner, your best friend, your person... Support them!
Give them your undivided attention, and get excited with them. You'll be amazed how your relationship improves when you start gassing each other up and sharing in your accomplishments. Whether it's just an excited exclamation, a kiss, or a full-on celebration with a special dinner, show your love that you care about their achievements, big or small.
3. Do things they enjoy, even if you it isn't your favorite thing to do.
This is one of the give-and-take parts of a relationship. He likes baseball, so you go to his favorite team's game even though you think it will be extremely boring. Instead of moping because you don't want to be there, focus on the fact that your boo wanted to share something he loves with you! Enjoy the time spent with them, because every moment you get together is a precious opportunity to make wonderful memories (even if it's something neither of you would rather be doing, like trying to get your car out of two feet of mud, on New Year's Eve, in the middle of nowhere, with no cell service).
4. Give them compliments!
Even when the puppy love is gone, tell them how good their booty looks in those jeans! Don't keep those things to yourself and assume that they already know it. Even if they do, it's incredibly nice to hear it, especially coming from the person you love most. (A timid text isn't enough all the time, tell them how awesome they are face to face! It will mean so much more.)
5. Check in every once in a while.
No, I don't mean a, "Hey, what's up?" This is a, "Are you happy with life right now? Is there anything you need? Is there anything I can do?" situation. These words coming from someone you care about so deeply mean a lot more than you might think, and are really just another way of saying, "I love you" in my book.
6. Ask them how their day was.
How long does it really take to check in on someone's day? Even if they did absolutely nothing, it's nice to have someone genuinely care about how your day went and what you did.
7. A good morning text goes a long way.
Telling your SO "Good Morning" is the easiest way to start their day of right. It lets them know you're thinking about them when you're away and is sure to make them adorably and sleepily smile if you're together. What could be better than that?
8. Tell them to text you when they make it to their destination.
This is another instance of saying "I love you" in a different way. If you're in a relationship, you obviously care about the other person's well-being, so let them know it! You both probably worry when the other person is driving or traveling somewhere, and a text saying you arrived safely could mean the difference between a relaxing evening for both of you or a very stressful one. (Make sure you hold yourself to this one, too!)
9. Always, ALWAYS, tell them you love them.
We only have a limited number of days on this planet, and we never know when they last time we may see our partner is. You've said it a hundred times, and you should say it a hundred more. Even after the worst fight of your relationship, if you love them, tell them.
Whether you're in a long-term relationship or a brand new one, try some of these suggestions out and see how quickly things start to change. Not only will it bring you closer together, it will also make your daily lives much more positive and enjoyable. Cherish every moment you have with your person, because we'll never know how many more moments we'll have.
