“The course of true love never did run smooth.” -William Shakespeare
If you’re newly married, this quote is one to hold near and dear to your heart. During the first few days following your wedding, it’s impossible to imagine that the honeymoon phase might not last throughout your entire marriage. But relationships are a lot of work, and marriage is no different.
Thankfully, there are some ways you can keep the honeymoon vibe alive, no matter what challenges you may face. Read on to see our three favorite ways to keep a romantic relationship alive forever.
3 Ways to Keep the Honeymoon Phase Alive
1. Remember the little things
Hollywood romance movies have taught us that profound declarations of love have to be big. What they don’t mention is that you and your spouse don’t need to stand outside a window with a boombox to prove your love for each other. Your relationship is unique, and it’s the little things you do for one another that will make all the difference. Preparing dinner for your spouse, leaving them messages reminding them of just how much you love them, picking up your partner’s favorite snack before heading home after work… these are the things that will show your love.
As the years go on, you will find everyday responsibilities such as paying bills and caring for your children (if you choose to have any!) will take up your time, and that will make these little things that much more significant. After all, romance is really more than over-the-top gestures; it’s about having a stable and healthy relationship.
2. Make time for each other
As time goes on, your life gets busier. Between work, children, and household chores, your romantic relationship can get pushed to the wayside. In order to keep the honeymoon vibe alive, you have to make time for each other. Even if it’s only for a few minutes every day. By taking the time to focus on your relationship, you’re building intimacy. But you don’t need to make a whole date night out of your time spent together. Spending 15 minutes a day fully engaging with your spouse without any distractions (yes, that means you should put your phone away.) can work wonders for building and sustaining intimacy, so find what works best for you as a couple and do that!
3. Communicate
The number one reason couples split up? Communication. Lack of communication can wreak havoc on a romantic relationship, but communication is about more than just talking. It means listening to your partner, even when times are tough. So, if you find yourself in the middle of an argument, make it a point to listen to your partner. Believe us, it’s hard to not grow defensive and begin thinking of a response, but you’ll be amazed at how far good listening will take you in your relationship. After all, growing defensive does nothing more than increase the intensity of an argument. Your marriage is worth the effort.
These are only three tips that will help you feel the honeymoon phase alive. Relationships change as you grow, but the important thing is to realize that you’re growing together. And if both you and your spouse decide to always put forth the effort, you will enjoy the honeymoon phase for the rest of your lives.
If you’ve used some of these tips to strengthen your relationship, let us know in the comments. If you have some other great ways to salvage the honeymoon phase, please share them with us on Facebook or Twitter!