Appreciating Your Spouse
Your partner is the second most important person in your life (after you). But does your partner know, really know, how much you value him/her?
The people who are closest to you are the first ones you take for granted. You take yourself for granted the most often (do you pay yourself first, or last, when you get your paycheque…?), and then you take your loved ones for granted in a narrow race to the “we’re finished” line.
Respect and appreciation exist only through your active expression of how you feel and how you think.
Have you been neglecting yourself lately? Do you repeat the same old actions, habits, day in and day out, never really feeling what you know ’should’ feel good in life?
Do Something Different, Get a Different Result. No Kidding
You can change all that, of course. The worse it is right now, the better it’ll get: just think, they’ll never see this coming!
You write a simple note of sincere thanks, detailing a few recent and not-so-recent instances where you appreciate who they are and what they do, and they look at you with that blended look of joy and suspicion. What do you want in return? she/he might think. And you know what you want: You want to enjoy what you do, and share good times with the person you love, and express all those good feelings that are in you and that get stronger and pop up more often the more you openly affirm the qualities you admire in yourself and in your partner.
Perhaps you think that your partner has no clue about how to appreciate you. Well, you may be right; in which case, teach them. Show them how you like to be treated, through your example.
Be the Change
Be the person you would love to spend the rest of your life with. That’s the ultimate gift to yourself and to your partner. You want to be with someone who loves you, and who invests the well-spent time and effort into developing their strengths, and who has high standards for how they treat other people (starting with his/her own self). That’s hot! Being your best takes a confident plan of action and the courage to follow it through.
Surprise Them With Spontaneous Connection
Often, the person who is closest to us, we take for granted the easiest. You become ‘One’ but forget to appreciate the other as yourself (or perhaps you forget to appreciate yourself at the same time…).
Regardless, you do not need to wait for a special day or occasion to show your appreciation.
The thoughtful things you do for each other mean more (sometimes suspiciously so, haha) when done at random times and for no apparent reason other than to show your love.
Find out your partner’s love language and then use the appropriate expressions to say ‘I Love You’ in their preferred ways…
Ways to Thank Your Spouse
Show and test the connection of your bond, with passive-aggressive humour!
Let’s say you run a web site, and it’s so demanding that you run it at the cost of your marital well-being. Now you can say ‘thank you!’ to your Main Squeeze for her patience by, you guessed it, fiddling with another web site. Make one for her! Special vacations, a shared vision board, whatever floats your boat.
Say “I Appreciate You” in a way they will love.
Ways To Show Your Love to Your Spouse, Summarized
Every relationship needs love and care to flourish, and it is particularly important to show your love to your spouse. Showing your spouse that you love them is important for building a strong and long-lasting relationship.
1. Communicate Your Love
Communication is the key to any healthy relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. One way to show your love to your spouse is to communicate your love to them. You can do this by saying “I love you” or “I appreciate you” regularly.
2. Spend Quality Time Together
Spending quality time together is another way to show your love to your spouse. You can plan date nights or weekend getaways, or simply spend time together doing something you both enjoy.
3. Show Appreciation
Showing appreciation for your spouse is important in any relationship. You can do this by thanking them for the things they do or complimenting them on their strengths.
4. Physical Touch
Physical touch is an important part of any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. You can show your love to your spouse by holding hands, hugging, or kissing them regularly.
5. Take Care of Each Other
Taking care of each other is another way to show your love to your spouse. You can do this by doing small things for them, such as making them breakfast in bed or taking care of them when they are sick.
6. Support Each Other
Supporting each other is important in any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. You can show your love to your spouse by supporting their dreams and goals, and being there for them when they need you.
7. Surprise Each Other
Surprising each other is a fun way to show your love to your spouse. You can surprise them with small gestures, like leaving a love note on their pillow, or bigger surprises, like planning a surprise vacation.
8. Show Interest in Their Life
Showing interest in your spouse’s life is important for building a strong and healthy relationship. You can do this by asking them about their day, listening to their stories, and showing genuine interest in their hobbies and interests.
9. Take Responsibility for Your Actions
Taking responsibility for your actions is important in any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. When you make a mistake, apologize and make an effort to make things right.
10. Show Forgiveness
Forgiveness is important in any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. When your spouse makes a mistake, show forgiveness and work together to move forward.
11. Practice Patience
Patience is important in any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. When your spouse is going through a difficult time, practice patience and be there for them.
12. Show Respect
Respect is important in any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. You can show your love to your spouse by respecting their opinions, beliefs, and values.
13. Give Small Gifts
Giving small gifts is a thoughtful way to show your love to your spouse. You don’t have to spend a lot of money – small gifts like a favorite snack or a handwritten note can be just as meaningful.
14. Laugh Together
Laughter is important in any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage. You can show your love to your spouse by finding humor in everyday situations and laughing together.
15. Be Honest and Transparent
Honesty and transparency are important in any relationship, and it is particularly important in a marriage.
