Every relationship will get boring after youโve been together for a while. Love is difficult, itโs not always about laughing and smiling. People tend to fall out of relationships when โthe sparkโ starts fading out. You want somebody to love you and never give up on you, yet even with the best partner things eventually get โboring.โ
Relationships get boring. We all wish they wouldnโt, but the fact of the matter is that a little boring โ is unavoidable. This doesnโt mean, however, that itโs unfixable. How to revive a boring relationship is all about the small things you do (or donโt do) โ and this blog post will show you how you can revive your intimate connection, with just a few simple changes.ย
The Secret To A Happy, Long Relationship
Relationship researcher John Gottman is one of the leading experts on why some couples last and others donโt.ย
He means that long, happy relationships are about connection and working together. That we need to have realistic expectations of our marriages and relationships and go with โgood enoughโ as opposed to โperfectโ.ย
In essence, Gottman means that if we still want to hang out with each other, even after years and years together โ that thatโs pretty fantastic and, ultimately, enough.ย
One way of how to revive a boring relationship is by adjusting your expectations and looking at the small, simple things that can be done to make it fun again.ย
One of these is turning towards each other, as opposed to being away from one another.ย This means looking for connection even in times of irritation, as well as in times of joy and excitement.ย
It may seem too simple or like something you perhaps already do. But thereโs always room for improvement, and good, interesting relationships survive because of small things, often, not grand gestures that happen every six months.ย ย
Read: How To Keep The Signs Happy During A Relationship
How To Revive A Boring Relationship By Turning Towards Each Other
Looking for ways to connect in your seemingly mundane week-day routine, can be a great way of revitalizing your relationships, as it mixes things up.ย
As a clinical sexologist, I discuss lots of things with my clients besides sex.ย Below are three examples of common situations Iโve found a lot of couples end up in. They highlight why we all need to constantly work at turning towards each other โ in both good and bad times.
1. Ignoring your partnerโs boring work story
After a few years, or decades, our partnerโs renditions of what Helen at the office did in the lunchroom, yet again, can start to get tedious.ย
Itโs only natural to fall into a pattern of starting to filter it out once your partner or spouse gets going again.ย
The thing is โ what Helen did (or didnโt do), matters to your partner. And to show that you donโt care by disengaging and blocking them out is to suck the energy out of your relationship. You donโt mean to, but it happens.ย
Instead, try listening to their story, asking questions, and validating your partnersโ experiences.ย Try and see if you can suss out if theyโd like feedback or advice โ or if they just want someone to nod in agreement and tell them that theyโre right and that Helen really needs to get her act together.ย
When you take a routine happening, like a boring Tuesday evening work story, and flip it into a moment of connection; you make it interesting, instantly feeling closer and having more fun together!
2. Calling your best friend to tell them the great news
Sharing positive emotions with your friends is important โ however, it can be a good idea to make note of how often you do this with your partner too.ย
Sometimes we fall into a habit of only sharing boring news with our spouses or partners. We tell them about the problems at work (enter: Helen), and share our worries and concerns about the kids.ย
What we forget to do, is revel in each otherโs joy. We charm friends and acquaintances at dinner parties โ and we can actively work at charming our partner too. If youโre looking for ways how to revive a boring relationship, this is key.ย
Next time you get great news or think of a funny anecdote you want to share โ call your partner and connect.ย By doing this, youโre infusing your relationship with positivity, happiness, and humor. This strengthens emotional intimacy.
3. Sitting at opposite ends of the sofa while binge-watching TV
At the beginning of relationships sitting next to each other (or practically on top of each other), while watching TV, is the norm. It seems like we canโt get close enough.ย
As time passes, we get comfortable sitting further apart, and before you know it weโre on opposite ends of the sofa, or in separate armchairs.ย
This is ok. You donโt have to constantly seek physical contact to have a good relationship.ย However โ putting your arm around your loved one or holding hands can be a great way of connecting when youโre too tired to talk.ย
Itโs also a wonderful way of showing love and affection and it simultaneously offers an easy, undramatic way of initiating sex, should you feel in the mood.ย Next time youโre doing a Netflix marathon session, you might want to try getting close to one another. It doesnโt have to be fancy, sexy, or spontaneous โ it just has to happen.ย
Read: The Way You Act In A Meaningful Relationship Based on Your Zodiac Sign
Simplicity Is Key
Relationships can go stale over time which is why itโs important to keep remembering to turn towards each other.ย
This can be done in lots of ways:ย
- By listening and validating your partner even when what theyโre sharing is less than riveting
- By sharing good news and fun stories along with the tough stuff
- By being physically affectionate โ sexual and otherwise.ย
You donโt have to break out the grand gestures and go globe-trotting. When youโre looking for ways of how to revive a boring relationship, keep in mind that the key to less boredom over time, is making a few small tweaks here and there. Thatโs it.ย
Originally Published On: Therapy by Leigh.ย
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