We’ve all seen the movies; it’s always the grand gestures that take your breath away. Like when Lloyd Dobler expressed his love by standing outside with a boombox above his head. And while these gestures are grand, and they certainly can take your breath away, do they really show how much you care? Now we’re all in the spirit of being thankful for those around us and the festivities ahead, we thought it’d be a good idea to take a look at the not so little ways to show your partner how much you care about them.
Say thank you
When you’ve been in a relationship for some time, you get used to the little things that your partner does for you. You can forgive those times where a thank you is forgotten or a cross word is spoken, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Taking the time to be mindful about thanking your partner for the things they do – no matter how trivial – can really help strengthen a relationship and make them feel appreciated.
Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean being on high alert to say thank you every second of every day – that could get annoying. We’re talking about those gestures such as making a cup of coffee for you in the morning or offering to help you make dinner. A thank you really will go a long way.
Notice them
A common problem in many modern relationships is that one party feels like they’re going unnoticed – and we don’t just mean acknowledging their gestures either. Noticing your partner could mean many things, such as:
A new hairstyle or outfit
Man, woman, gay, straight, bi – whoever you are, getting a new hairstyle or outfit always makes you feel better. However, if it goes unnoticed by your partner, it can really be very painful. And, if you love your partner, you never want them to feel that way, right? Make the effort to complement their appearance, even if nothing has changed! It will go a long way.
A decline in physical or mental health
Being noticed can sometimes point to health problems rather than any other aspect of a relationship. We all get busy from time to time, and it’s easier than you might think to accidentally miss that your partner isn’t feeling well or might be struggling mentally. But, putting the effort in to notice how your partner is doing physically and mentally will go a long way! While you might not be able to cure them, you can help attend Doctor appointments with them or research ketamine providers to help find the right treatment for them. If they know their partner is willing to support them throughout everything – no matter what – really shows how much you care.
A change they’ve made around your home
Another area to try and notice is changes your partner might make around your home. This could be renovating to make your living space a clean and comfortable environment for you to live in, or it might even be making adjustments to make actually living in your home a nicer experience. For example, if they’ve hooked up your favourite surround sound in your living room to take movie nights to the next level – notice them, and show your appreciation.
Consider their feelings before making a decision
This one is a biggy. When you’re in a relationship, it can be difficult to grasp that everything you do and every decision you make is about you and your partner. Seems like a simple premise, but many people forget to consider how their partner would feel about the decisions they make! Taking the time to consider how your decision might affect your partner is a true gesture of love and affection.
Smile
This might seem like an obvious one, but actually smiling at your partner will make the world of difference! Life can throw big curveballs at us, so big that you might not feel like smiling. However, try to remember that they are in this with you! They are your light in the darkness, and you can get through anything together. Put extra effort in to smile at your partner and they’ll know how much you care.
Don’t ignore the little gestures
Finally, while this article has been focusing on the not so little ways to show you care, it’s important not to forget the little ones too. Making them a coffee or taking one of their chores off their hands are both great examples of how you can show your affection.
Everything in this article is something you can take action on today – so what are you waiting for?
Photo by Michelangelo Iaia:
