A
new year has rolled around again and it’s time to re-examine our lives
and find ways to improve ourselves. Over Christmas we are constantly
reminded of the fact that the most important thing in life is love, so
surely the best New Year’s resolution we can make is to improve our
relationships. Here are 10 ways to make your relationships even better
than they were last year.
Forgive
Relationships
are tough and someone at some point will have been hurt within your
relationship. If that person was you, have you forgiven the other for
hurting you? If not, then it’s time to ask yourself why.
Was
the thing they did too hurtful? Is the deed too unforgivable? If it is,
then you need to end the relationship and move on. Yet if you can
forgive them, work hard to get over the hurt and then, once you’re ready
and able, do not hold the other person to blame, especially during arguments.
Be a yes person
How
many times did you go out for after-work drinks last year? How many
parties did you attend? If your schedule has fewer engagements than your
grandma’s, you need to change your attitude and become a yes person.
Saying yes to social events will mean that you have more chance of
meeting someone you like. Remember, you can’t meet The One whilst
sitting in watching a bad rom-com and eating a takeaway; get out there.
New tradition
If
you want a love life resolution to make for the New Year, you should
definitely start a new tradition as a couple. Traditions unite people
and will give you something to look forward to as a couple. Your
tradition could be anything, from going on a trip to somewhere you both
love to reading the papers whilst eating hot croissants on a Sunday
morning.
Keep moving
When
you have been together for a long time, it can be easy to get into a
relationship rut. If you think you are both in a relationship stalemate
make this year’s New Year’s resolution all about moving forward.
You
should aim to grow your relationship at a speed you are both happy with
in terms of commitment, trust and lifestyle. For example, are you guys
going to be ready to meet one another’s parents or move in together this
year? Don’t force your progression though; just think about where you
would both like your relationship to be in 12 months time.
Independent
To
improve your love life this New Year get some independence. Sometimes
through changes in your life you might find that you’ve become a little
too dependent on your other half and this is not healthy and will cause
unnecessary pressure and strain on your relationship. To get some
independence without sabotaging your closeness as a couple, get some
interests outside of one another. You could volunteer, join a team or
start a new, solo project.
Be kinder
When
you’ve been together for a long time it can be easy to take one another
for granted. When this happens you might find that you are less loving
towards one another and that you both tend to snap or bicker over silly
things.
If
this sounds familiar the next time you think you are about to be
negative take a deep breath, pause and ask yourself, what good will
come out of behaving like this? Being a little kinder to one another is
one of the best love life resolutions you can make, but it’s one of the hardest to achieve.
Get over them
When
a relationship with someone you love ends, it can be hard to come to
terms with. Although you are allowed to grieve for your ex and miss
them, there comes a time when you need to accept that things didn’t work
out and move on. This year make it your love life resolution to face
the feelings you have for your ex and make steps to get over them once
and for all.
Make love a priority
Work,
chores, friends and family ties mean that most of us feel overstretched
and stressed. Time is a constant battle for the modern man and woman,
yet when it comes down to it, there are sacrifices that can be made to
make sure you make love a priority.
For
example, do you need to take a promotion at work, even though it means
more time at the office? Be aware of the choices you make this year and
ask yourself if you are putting the people you love, or could love,
first.
Be honest
The
New Year is the perfect time to look at your relationships and honestly
ask whether things are working out. Be honest and face issues you’ve
been avoiding. For example, if the girl you’ve been dating tells you she
wants to be with you forever but won’t move in despite the fact you’ve
been together for two years, question whether it’s enough. Is this
relationship good enough for you and are you getting what you want and
need from the other person? If the answer is no, discuss these issues with your partner.
Random act of kindness
Nothing
says ‘I love you’ like a random act of kindness. Try to surprise your
partner at least once a year, but if you can manage to give your partner
a treat once a month it will remind them that you really care. The
surprises don’t have to be expensive. You could pack them a special
lunch to take to work or burn them a CD of their favourite tracks for
the car. Little things go a long way in a relationship so make it your
love life resolution this New Year to be kinder to your partner.
No comments:
Post a Comment