“Having it all” can be a pretty tall order to fill — loving marriage, fulfilling career, stylish home, well-behaved children, flat abs, homemade dinners. Yes, comparing real life to the perfect pictures on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook can be incredibly discouraging, especially when your kids are running rampant and dinner is plain-jane grilled cheese. Again.
Fortunately, the secret to balancing all of these important aspects of your life is knowing when to step back and invest in romance. Romance is often the first aspect to get sacrificed, but if you can keep the romance alive then smiling through life’s annoyances and balancing work with soccer practice will feel a whole lot easier.
Psychology Today claims that happy couples have 20 positive daily interactions for every negative one. Intrigued? Follow these five tips to carve out a little more time for romance and watch as your life’s balance melts into place:
Plan Ahead
Many of your most important to-do items get done regularly and naturally. Your next salon visit is booked on your calendar a month in advance. Your bills are paid through automatic bill pay. Your grocery list is posted on your refrigerator for daily updating. Why not approach quality time with your spouse in the same way? Take a few minutes with your hubby to commit to some monthly dates. Establish a comfortable budget, and alternate who plans the date. Planning ahead like this is the only way to snag a romantic weekend getaway at a bed and breakfast, or concert tickets to see your favorite musician.
Make Time for Small Luxuries
Date nights don’t have to be huge events. Plan a relaxing night at home instead. Text your spouse throughout the day to tell them you love and miss them, and that you’re excited for date night. Buy a bouquet of lavender for your nightstand or order a fresh flower arrangement for the dining room table. Put on some jazz, spread a blanket on your bedroom floor, and have a wine, chocolate and cheese picnic after the kids are in bed. It might seem goofy, but the change of routine will spark some conversation and refresh your flagging spirits for the rest of the week.
Give Back to Others
Studies show that people who volunteer to help others are healthier and less stressed. Combine these benefits with quality couple time by planning a date to volunteer together. Shovel an elderly neighbor’s sidewalk. Walk dogs at a local animal shelter. Pass out flowers to strangers on a busy street corner. The cheer you share with others will inspire you and may even ignite a new admiration for your spouse.
Sweat Together
According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise boosts energy and improves mood. Want a little extra motivation to get moving? Nab your spouse as your new biking buddy. You will both be invested in the results, plus conquering a new health goal will strengthen your bond and provide something concrete to brag about your spouse at his next work party.
Turn off Work
Turn off your work, literally. Establish a specific space and business hours for yourself with a clear start and end. After 6pm, for example, shutdown your computer and leave your home office regardless of the email barrage filling your inbox. Shut the door and start the home part of your day. Set your phone to notify you of new messages only from your personal accounts. After the kids are in bed, shut down all electronic devices and just talk with your spouse for 30 minutes. Catch up on work news. Compare calendars and get on the same page about your upcoming obligations. Dream about your next vacation. Read the newspaper together. This daily, focused time together doesn’t take much work and it will have huge payoffs in the long run.
Thank, Urbanette. Problem solved! 😀
We play DOTA as our quality time together. Yes, I’m a lady but I play as good as you. ?
Time management is important, you should always make time on people who you love especially on your partner.
One day I will find my man, and I promise that we will follow this tips, especially the turn off the work. Lol
Sex is important, of course, it’s part of the romance. But I’ve had too many relationships that are 100% focused on sex and everything else wasn’t important. It shouldn’t be like that.
I like it when my husband is cooking my favorite food for me. I saw him watching cooking tutorials on how to cook my favorite pasta dish. It’s the effort that he inserts that makes my heart flutters.
My wife loves the idea of romantic dates even when we’re young. I’m planning to surprise her a simple dinner at our backyard. ?
That’s very romantic, she will love that I’m sure of it! 🙂
That is why we always jog every morning before going to work. It makes us physically fit, and our relationship healthy. ?
My husband and I are planning to get married anytime soon, we’re not living together as well. These tips will surely help us to take care of your relationship.
If you work hard, you can achieve everything that you want. Having it all is not impossible, you only need to work hard for that. ?