‘Booked and busy!’ This can safely be one of the most hated phrases in 2019. While it has good connotations of success, ever wondered if you were not scheduling time to display appreciation to your partner? Countless times it has been proven that balance is key to ensuring a progressive flow to everything we are occupied with especially relationships.
Appreciation is vital to relations and as humans I believe we crave positive reinforcement and attention. Most days we can be guilty of being engulfed in the hustle and bustle of daily routines and unconsciously fail to acknowledge our partner. This begets the question just how important ‘appreciation’ is in a healthy relationship. So how do you ensure that you’re giving the necessary attention and appreciation to your partner? Here are 5 ways you can make your special person smile and know that you care.
Affirmations
Create space in your schedule to reinforce simple things that you admire about your partner. This can be done in many easy ways ranging from leaving sticky notes with a few gentle words, sending thoughtful messages, face to face interactions or even social media posts can warm almost any heart when it appears unexpected. Affirmations are merely simple yet effective to putting genuine smiles on your partner’s face.
Surprise him/her with their favourite meal
Looking for 10 points? Do a home cooked meal of their favourite meal. You can easily spark this cute idea up with cost friendly tea lights or even by playing some of their favourite songs while you dine. If your partner’s preferred meal is not that simple to recreate, take them to a restaurant that they hold in high standard, and if you’re witty make it a surprise!
A compliment
A little goes a long way. Compliments significantly boost confidence, and you’d want your loved one feeling the best way possible about themselves. A simple ‘Wow you’re handsome’ or ‘I enjoy admiring your existence’ can brighten your partner’s day.
‘Gratitude is ah must’
We sometimes take ‘thank you’ for granted. Showing gratitude for the simplest of things is a polite and easy way to show appreciation. Whether it be a simple act of them ironing your work clothes or getting you a book that you initially planned on purchasing, saying thank you is a good way to shower appreciation for their kind and thoughtful gesture.
Quality time
Be thoughtful and initiate quality time with your partner by doing a few things they love. You may not share the same interest but being able to compromise a few hours of your day doing what they love together can strengthen your bond and even so you may learn something new about yourself. It can be as simple as going to the beach or video gaming. Simple yet effective portrayal of appreciation
With all being said, if you have someone who feels like “HOME” to you, remember how easy it is to spark light through their window by expressing appreciation.
by Chanelle Beatrice, Media Analyst, Photographer, Writer BA Journalism (hons)