Life with your partner can get hectic. You’re being pulled in a million directions, and it’s pretty easy to forget to show your significant other appreciation. Still, you should make a conscious effort to prioritize gratitude in your relationship. Not sure where to start? Here are some tried-and-true ways you can express appreciation for your partner.
Base Your Actions on Your Partner’s Love Language
You’ve likely heard about the five love languages: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Learning and practicing your significant other’s love language is one of the best ways you can show appreciation for them. For example, if they long for physical touch, hold them or give them a massage after a long day at the office. If they prefer gifts, stop at the nearest Dunkin’ on the way home and pick up their favorite drink.
Greet Them Warmly
You may be busy, but you should never be too busy to embrace one another when either of you gets home. Drop what you’re doing for a minute and give your person a warm greeting – and make sure it’s genuine. Don’t have an attitude or start an altercation. Just embrace the moment.
Practice Active Listening
Listening and communicating are huge parts of a relationship. So if your partner wants to have a conversation, give them your undivided attention. Put all tasks aside (and your phone) and make it your mission to be present. Listen and respond once you’ve fully taken in the context of the situation. If it’s light and breezy, bounce the conversation back and forth like a ping-pong ball. If it’s heavy, allow the tough talk to happen and find a resolution together.
Thank Them Regularly
Saying that you’re thankful for someone can go a long way. Show your appreciation for your SO by letting them know how important they are to you and thanking them regularly.
Keep a Shared Gratitude Journal
Buy and keep a journal somewhere around the house. Every few days, write a little note specifying why you appreciate your partner – anything from “Thank you for running the dishwasher last night” to “I couldn’t imagine this world without you.” If you both agree to it, you’ll automatically show gratitude. And, if either of you is feeling down, you can look back at some nice things you have said about one another.