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As the holidays approach, it is a great time to strengthen or reconnect with your loved one. Let’s face it, men, the holidays do cater to the ladies. During the holidays you will see marketing that will show that this is the time to shower each other (the ladies) with expensive presents and make grand love gestures to get into the holidays’ spirit. All that is well, but the truth is if you do not have the real stuff that sticks for a strong foundation, all the fancy gifts or grand love gestures will not matter in your relationship.
It is going to take the small but significant actions steps to have a relationship worth having. Considering the actions steps to create a healthy relationship is a continuum. It’s the constant doing the steps every day that you will see your relationship flourish. Let’s face it, men, women want to know you are committed. Women want to feel and see that they matter and they are worth more than things. The beauty of showing and doing these action steps is that that they will be reciprocal back to you. These action steps done and completed with your loved one will solidify your relationship and make your relationship stay beyond the holidays.
Slow down your communication
When communication is done quickly, and in a hurry, words get lost in transit. You will miss the vital information that your loved one is expressing. Slow the pace and be heard and allow your loved one to be also heard. You might find yourself where your loved one or yourself do not like to talk much, but you want to make sure you convey that you want to understand what is being said. This allows any complications or miscommunication to cease. Taking the time to slow down will also let you undercover any hidden unmet need or emotion that can be lurking for a while. The ones that can take up to months to be discussed.
Give compliments
Giving compliments is like putting the whipped cream on top of a sundae. Everyone likes a good compliment especially the ladies. Compliments on looks are always great especially when a new hairstyle or new outfit is involved. When you take the time to notice how they are improving in their lives such as on their education, work or workout you are showing them you are celebrating with them on their accomplishments and values.
Affirmations
When giving affirmation to your loved one men, this shows them that you see how they are welled skilled and how their admirable actions in their lives as impacted theirs and yours. Giving affirmations gives a woman a sense of security. Women want to be secure in your presence. They want to know that they are making a difference in your life and want to hear how.
Say thank you
Giving gratitude to your loved one seems the obvious thing to do, but for some couples, the recognition has fallen to the waste side. Giving a thank you for dinner, washing the dishes, washing the car, playing the bills or anything from small or too big that she has done for you will go a long way. Saying thank you to her, you are showing and giving her respect. Having respect in the relationship is essential. No respect and there will be no cordial relationship.
Ask specific questions
This is not the time to put your loved one on the witness stand by demanding questions after questions but asking questions with substance will show her that you care and you are genuinely concern for her. Asking the right questions shows that you are interested in her. It gives her the satisfaction that she matters. For example instead of asking her, “How was your day?” and get a fine or ok, ask her instead, “What made you laugh today?”, “What interesting thing is going on for you today?”, “Is there anything that I can support you with today?”.
Talking after sex
Yes, talking after sex will bring you closer with your loved one. The talking about how you make each other happy (except the sex part of course) will solidify what you just did. The after sex talk gives and provides more intimacy with each other. So instead of reaching for your cellphone like so many people do or go to sleep, use that effulgence time to build more great intimate moments and strengthen your relationship.
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