1. Check yourself before you project yourself. When you start feeling upset or resentful, stop to ask yourself what's going on inside of yourself before taking it out on the other person. Seriously, 99% of the time your issue isn't even with your partner; you're just projecting something onto them. A little self-reflection goes a long way.
2. Schedule some alone time. Make sure both of you are getting a little time alone to relax and recharge: even 15 minutes can make a huge difference. Also, if you tend be really social as a couple, make sure to schedule alone time together (sounds like an oxymoron, but it's not!) as well, where you can just focus on each other without extra people around.
3. Wait til after dinner to turn the TV on. For awhile Nick and I got in the habit of eating dinner while watching TV, and then we'd keep watching TV after dinner, and it was possible to go a whole evening without really talking to each other. Sad, right? Now we eat dinner at the table and talk BEFORE heading to the living room to zone out with "Parks and Rec."
4. Shower together. If you're both busy (and who isn't?!), showering as a couple can give you extra time to connect without any distractions except some sexy soap lather.
5. Have all your important conversations face to face. Or on the phone if face-to-face is absolutely impossible. But never on IM or text or email. Communicating will be clearer, more respectful, and more positive if you do it in person. It also gives you the chance to touch or hold hands during intense moments, which can change the course of an entire interaction.
6. Never pass up the chance to cuddle. Physical affection is so, so important in any intimate relationship, and in this age of constant distractions, it sometimes takes a concerted effort to make sure it happens frequently and meaningfully. If your partner gives you a hug, take a second to lean into their chest and enjoy that moment. Go to bed 15 minutes earlier (or set your alarm 15 minutes earlier) to give yourselves time to cuddle before you fall asleep or when you first wake up. It's the best way to start and end the day.
7. Don't wait for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas to buy or make each other little gifts. If you see a little something that reminds you of your partner, get it for them. If you feel like making them a special dinner, do it. One of my favorite sayings is "Never resist a generous impulse," and that is doubly true in romantic relationships. It creates a feeling of spontaneity and generosity that lasts all year long.
8. Switch up your routine. If you always lay in bed on Sunday morning, go jogging instead. If you always go to happy hour on Thursdays, stay in and make cocktails instead. Take turns planning surprise dates. Switching up your routine keeps you on your toes as a couple and helps prevent the worst enemy of romance: stagnancy.
9. Don't ever put your partner down. This is so random, but I remember reading a Reba McEntire interview in a dentist office magazine many years ago and it kind of changed my life. She was explaining the demise of her first marriage and said something like, "We didn't respect each other. If you don't have respect, you have nothing." Preach, Reba! This advice is so simple, and so true. Relationships often take on a negative tinge as people get comfortable with each other. Playful teasing can turn cruel. Cute habits become pet peeves. But it's never too late to change the script: make a vow to never put your partner down–about the way they look, the way they live their lives, their little quirks, anything.
10. Spend a minute looking at each other before bed. At the end of yet another long, crazy day, it's tempting to start snoring as soon as you hit the pillow, but try to take a moment to face each other and look into your partner's eyes, really look. It's amazing how much closer this little exercise can make you feel.
Photo Credit: zoovroo via Flickr
This morning we talked about the "10 Things Not To Say At Work" and it the list was pretty interesting....so here it is! And remember....watch your mouth!
Well like many of you, I play the Powerball everytime it gets to a ridiculous amount like it is now, so yesterday when I bought my almost $4 a gallon gas, I also bought some Powerball tickets, sad to say I wasn't a big winner.
Well if you bought tickets too, there was no winner in yesterday's (May 15th) $360 million Powerball drawing, so the jackpot has now grown to $475 million, which is the second largest in Powerball history and third biggest overall!
The next drawing will be held on Saturday (May 18th), how many tickets are you gonna buy?
Kelly Rowland's new single just came out today and she opens up about the abusive relationship she experienced with her ex & how he turned her against Beyonce, friends and family.
Abuse is alive and subject to affect everyone of any caliber. It's always a relief to find out someone was able to escape.
Check out "Dirty Laundry" for yourself and let us know what you think!
Kanye's anger management problems continue to entertain me to the 12th power...lol Watch him walk into the street sign, proceed to cuss it and the photographers out, since it's everyone's fault but his own, and then stomp away like grumpy from Snow White and the 7 dwarfs....
If I'm being honest Victoria's Secret is sexy to me... which is why I have to stare at the floor when I'm walking with my wife in the mall, because when we get near the store I swear she stares at me to see if I'm looking at the models!
Well, Victoria's Secret has released its annual What Is Sexy list, which is supposedly chosen by the Victoria's Secret models themselves. See if you agree with them!
Sexiest Actress: Jessica Chastain
Sexiest Style: Nina Dobrev
Sexiest Legs: Blake Lively
Sexiest Bikini Body: Rihanna
Sexiest Hair: Amanda Seyfried
Sexiest Smile: Zoe Saldana
Sexiest Eyes: Zooey Deschanel
Sexiest Lips: Kerry Washington
Sexiest Sense of Humor: Jennifer Lawrence
Sexiest Mom: Giuliana Rancic
Sexiest Songstress: Beyoncé
Sexiest International Import: Emilia Clarke from "Game of Thrones"
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Photo Credit: zoovroo via Flickr
