Three Relationship Tips For Today's Conscious Couples Who Want To Thrive
Isn't it hard to believe that it's almost been a year since lockdown measures? Our city's still in lockdown.
At this time last year we remember (well, Apple and Google photos reminded us), that it was the last time we went out for a fun night downtown.
It was a few days before our neighbourhood grocery stores were hit by panicked buying (toilet paper and more).
It was a few days before people we knew or knew of would get COVID-19 (thinking of those who’ve lost their lives and all those who provided care, support, and kept our economy going).
It was a few days before couples and families went from living their lives to being confined to the same space for months, and now next to a year (with occasional allowances to go out when necessary).
What were you doing this time last year?
With all that said, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe, well, and thriving.
Slow down, phone down
The pandemic has been an accelerant for relationships! Some people have found that the pandemic created some space for them get back in touch with themselves and to reflect.
At the same time, it has us MORE glued to our devices, MORE stuck in our heads, and LESS in tune with our bodies, hearts, and other humans (the angst!).
I mean, between Tik Tok, IG, YouTube, and Netflix… it’s really hard to be introspective these days.
A good practice is to actually put your phone in a different room and check-in with the state of your relationship on a scheduled basis. We’ve shared a number of practices over the last decade, but here are two really salient questions for you and your partner to talk about right now:
What’s been showing up in our relationship as challenges that is testing us? Why?
What’s something that we can celebrate / appreciate or that’s been going really well for us? Why?
Here's what we've heard from relationship nerds (so far)
They’ve told us that this year has accelerated their relationships in welcomed and/or unwelcomed ways.
For us, we launched the Thriving Relationship Academy in 2020 (a really good thing for us and for the couples who joined). At first, it was a huge challenge to work so closely and intensely together as business and intimate partners (while confined to the same space).
As a result, we've also been getting more creative with how we spend quality time, accept each other's differences, and support one another. It’s a constant ebb and flow requiring compassion and honest communication.
Love brought you together, relationship intelligence keeps you together
Being confined to a space together is NEW and is still a transition for the best relationships. It’s NORMAL to butt up against each other, to feel irritable, and to have increased expectations.
However, you have to BALANCE that by:
Building a culture of appreciation with one another;
Having a practice of self-awareness and self-care so you don’t unload onto your partner; and,
Recalibrating your expectations for the relationship.
How?
By developing strong relationship skills and mindsets. Relationship intelligence helps bring partners together in the face of challenges, instead of tearing them apart.
To help you strengthen those key mindsets and skills, we're inviting you to join us for our newest webinar.
Never stop learning to love
Think about something you’re recognized for being really good at. Maybe it’s a hobby, something you’re paid for, or something people turn to you for. Don’t you think about it often? Practice it? Talk about it? Haven’t you been doing it for a while?
That’s the thing - it takes time, deliberate practice, and even a little trust, luck, and patience to get so good at something that it becomes instinct and the natural way you just do things.
Conscious couples and relationship nerds - like you - take that approach for their relationships as well.
That’s why our last tip is the most important. It’s to keep learning to love.
We’ve got your back. You’re not alone. Carve out 45 minutes to 1-hour to tune into one of our upcoming free live webinars where we teach you a proven three-phased system to thrive in your relationship.
Title: WHAT IT TAKES TO CO-CREATE A THRIVING RELATIONSHIP
Why: Learn how to communicate like pros, feel like an all-star team, and grow your spark together.
When / Where: Every two weeks on Zoom
If you’re into personal development, self-awareness, and you’re committed to healthy relationships, you’re going to love this webinar!
Bonus: Forward this article to your friends and family
Let's normalize being intentional and conscious about our relationships. Let’s do it as a community. Who said you need to wait until things are broken to work on your relationship? And who said you need to do it alone? No one who was wise. ;)
Which relationship tip will you put into action today?
Slow down, phone down
Practicing relationship intelligence
Continuing your learning with our webinar
Sometimes we all just need a little nudging, coaching, and feedback to step into our zone of awesome.
We’re not two halves, we’re two wholes sharing a path and we’re inviting you to join the movement!
David and Lindsey
Co-founders of Relationship Zen and creators of the Thriving Relationship Academy
