Successful relationships don’t just come together haphazardly. They take effort from both people involved to continue building upon the foundation on which the relationship began. Too often, life gets in the way, and many of the little things fall through the cracks. Because of this, it’s important to remember that a relationship should be one of the most meaningful aspects of a person’s life, and it’s worth every ounce of energy you put into it.
Here are a few small things that can make a big difference in your relationship.
1. Give long embraces
Emo band Saves the Day once said “nothing’s like being held sometimes.” While I’d advise you to take caution when taking advice from an emo band, you should definitely hold onto this one. After a long day’s work, there really isn’t much better than spending a few minutes wrapped in each other’s arms. It allows you to forget the outside world, if only for a few moments, and remember why you both work so hard in the first place.
2. Leave little reminders around for them to find
I don’t think there’s much else that makes me smile more than seeing a little note from my wife attached to my windshield when getting in my car in the morning. The little things that let your significant other know that you’re thinking of them can completely turn their day around. Even texting a picture of something that reminded you of them is enough. Everyone loves to feel important; show the person you love the most just how important they are every chance you get.
3. Show gratitude for everything they do for you
You undoubtedly appreciate your significant other very much. But do you show it all the time? Don’t just show your thankfulness around birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. Make it a point to thank them every day for even the tiniest of favors. Whenever they do something for you, they’re allowing you to relax just a little longer. Thank them for it. It shows you don’t take them for granted, and you acknowledge just how much they mean to you.
4. Make their life easier whenever you can
On the flip side of the last point, you should do everything you can to make their life easier. Even if that means stopping at the store at the end of a long day or running back out if they forgot to grab something. Clean the house or have dinner ready on the table when they get home. Keep in mind everything they’ve given you, tangible and intangible, as a reminder for when you don’t “feel like” doing something, and do it anyway, knowing it will ease their troubles a little more.
5. Take a break from busyness for them
We all lead busy lives. But you should never be so busy that you don’t have time to spend with your significant other. Otherwise, what’s the point of working so hard? I’m not saying you should completely blow off your responsibilities to spend time with your significant other, but definitely recognize when you’ve spent way too much time on work-related obligations and hit the pause button. Sometimes, you just need to put everything else on the back burner and enjoy some quality time with your love.
6. Tell them why you love them
You probably tell one another you love each other all the time. Obviously, there’s nothing wrong with that. But take it a step further: tell them why you love them. Make them understand exactly what it is that keeps you tied to them. Put some thought into it, too. You’ll likely end up finding even more reasons to love them than you had realized in the first place.
Originally Published: http://www.lifehack.org/324325/6-small-things-you-can-make-big-difference-your-relationship
