In any long-term relationship, there are times when partners can become complacent and romance can seem to fade away or disappear entirely. This can be attributed to a wide variety of reasons, from the challenges of daily responsibilities getting in the way of spending time together to lack of communication. While it is no one spouse’s fault that this complacency and lack of romance happens, it’s the responsibility of both partners to work together to rekindle the spark and bring affection back into the relationship.
This process can feel daunting and challenging to some couples, especially when the day-to-day responsibilities of life get in the way. However, taking the first step and making the decision to work on your relationship and reestablish the romance that is missing is crucial to keeping the marriage alive. If you’re feeling like your relationship or marriage is lacking affection or feeling stagnant and you are unsure of what to do next, we’re happy to help. Keep reading to discover our top tips and advice to help rekindle the spark with your partner and set your relationship up for long-term success.
Make Time and Space for One Another
In our day and age, it can be challenging to find quality time to spend with one another, even our spouses. Between day-to-day challenges with work, taking care of children and trying to keep up with other responsibilities, it can be difficult to spend quality time with the most important person in your life – your spouse. Instead of falling into the routine, really work to make the time to spend together. Schedule regular date nights with just the two of you and stick to them – don’t let the rest of your life get in the way with spending meaningful, one-on-one time together as a couple.
Practice Open, Meaningful Communication
Another area of our relationships that can tend to fail with day to day responsibilities is within our communication. When we’re tired, burnt out or overstimulated, it can be easy to be short with your spouse, ignore them altogether or avoid discussing potentially troublesome topics to try to keep the peace. Instead of sweeping things under the rug or avoiding your spouse, make sure that you work to practice open, meaningful communication with one another. Don’t be afraid to express your feelings in a clear manner and allow your spouse to do the same. This will involve active listening in addition to sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Don’t Forget the Physical Intimacy
A crucial part of any relationship, physical intimacy is another area that can begin to fade or disappear altogether in long-term relationships and marriages. Make sure that you practice this with your partner, whether it’s small touches like holding hands or cuddling, or something more involved. This can also involve communication with your partner, asking them about their preferences and their love language, such as physical touch, acts of service or simply quality time spent together.
Remember What Made You Fall in Love with Them
Sometimes, all it takes to rekindle romance in a stagnant relationship is simply taking the time to remember what made you fall in love with them to begin with. Take some time together to revisit meaningful locations, reminisce on happy memories and try to identify what exactly has changed in your relationship. Through this process, you may be able to discover something else that’s missing between the two of you that can effectively rekindle the fire of romance in your relationship.
Make New Memories Together
For some couples, they may feel that the romance is gone in their relationship simply due to the fact that they have fallen into a routine with one another. One way to combat this feeling of complacency and boredom is to try something new together, whether it’s visiting a new location on a weekend getaway or trying a new experience. Many will opt to pair this with couples therapy, taking the plunge on a marriage intensive retreat at an exciting, exotic location to help in both making new memories and in laying the groundwork to reestablish the romance in their relationship.
Ask for Help When You Need It
For some couples, the romance and spark may be so far gone that it feels entirely lost. If you’re feeling like you’ve reached this point in your relationship, don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional for assistance in getting back on track. By seeking out a licensed marriage counselor or professional couples therapist, you can receive valuable insights and advice to help you and your partner work through any obstacles and rekindle the missing romance.
Reignite the Spark: How to Bring Romance and Affection Back into Your Relationship
In any long-term relationship or marriage, there can be times where it feels like affection and romance are beginning to fade away or have disappeared entirely. While it’s important to remember that it’s no one partner’s fault that this is happening, it’s also crucial to take steps to rekindle the spark as soon as you recognize this issue is happening. Through making the time for one another, practicing open communication, encouraging physical intimacy, remembering what made you fall in love with them and making new memories together, you can effectively rekindle the spark and get your relationship back on the right track towards romance and true affection.
