A new year has
rolled around again
and it’s time to re-
examine our lives
and find ways to
improve ourselves.
Over Christmas we
are constantly
reminded of the fact
that the most
important thing in life is love, so surely the best New
Year’s resolution we can make is to improve our
relationships. Here are 10 ways to make your relationships
even better than they were last year.
Forgive
Relationships are tough and someone at some point will
have been hurt within your relationship. If that person was
you, have you forgiven the other for hurting you? If not,
then it’s time to ask yourself why.
Was the thing they did too hurtful? Is the deed too
unforgivable? If it is, then you need to end the relationship
and move on. Yet if you can forgive them, work hard to get
over the hurt and then, once you’re ready and able, do not
hold the other person to blame, especially
during arguments.
Be a yes person
How many times did you go out for after-work drinks last
year? How many parties did you attend? If your schedule
has fewer engagements than your grandma’s, you need to
change your attitude and become a yes person. Saying yes
to social events will mean that you have more chance of
meeting someone you like. Remember, you can’t meet The
One whilst sitting in watching a bad rom-com and eating a
takeaway; get out there.
New tradition
If you want a love life resolution to make for the New
Year, you should definitely start a new tradition as a couple.
Traditions unite people and will give you something to look
forward to as a couple. Your tradition could be anything,
from going on a trip to somewhere you both love to reading
the papers whilst eating hot croissants on a Sunday
morning.
Keep moving
When you have been together for a long time, it can be easy
to get into a relationship rut. If you think you are both in a
relationship stalemate make this year’s New Year’s
resolution all about moving forward.
You should aim to grow your relationship at a speed you
are both happy with in terms of commitment, trust and
lifestyle. For example, are you guys going to be ready to
meet one another’s parents or move in together this year?
Don’t force your progression though; just think about
where you would both like your relationship to be in 12
months time.
Independent
To improve your love life this New Year get some
independence. Sometimes through changes in your life you
might find that you’ve become a little too dependent on
your other half and this is not healthy and will cause
unnecessary pressure and strain on your relationship. To
get some independence without sabotaging your closeness as
a couple, get some interests outside of one another. You
could volunteer, join a team or start a new, solo project.
Be kinder
When you’ve been together for a long time it can be easy to
take one another for granted. When this happens you might
find that you are less loving towards one another and that
you both tend to snap or bicker over silly things.
If this sounds familiar the next time you think you are about
to be negative take a deep breath, pause and ask yourself,
what good will come out of behaving like this? Being a
little kinder to one another is one of the best love
life resolutions you can make, but it’s one of the hardest to
achieve.
Get over them
When a relationship with someone you love ends, it can be
hard to come to terms with. Although you are allowed to
grieve for your ex and miss them, there comes a time when
you need to accept that things didn’t work out and move on.
This year make it your love life resolution to face the
feelings you have for your ex and make steps to get over
them once and for all.
Make love a priority
Work, chores, friends and family ties mean that most of us
feel overstretched and stressed. Time is a constant battle for
the modern man and woman, yet when it comes down to it,
there are sacrifices that can be made to make sure you make
love a priority.
For example, do you need to take a promotion at work,
even though it means more time at the office? Be aware of
the choices you make this year and ask yourself if you are
putting the people you love, or could love, first.
Be honest
The New Year is the perfect time to look at your
relationships and honestly ask whether things are working
out. Be honest and face issues you’ve been avoiding. For
example, if the girl you’ve been dating tells you she wants
to be with you forever but won’t move in despite the fact
you’ve been together for two years, question whether it’s
enough. Is this relationship good enough for you and are
you getting what you want and need from the other person?
If the answer is no, discuss these issues with your partner.
Random act of kindness
Nothing says ‘I love you’ like a random act of kindness.
Try to surprise your partner at least once a year, but if you
can manage to give your partner a treat once a month it will
remind them that you really care. The surprises don’t have
to be expensive. You could pack them a special lunch to
take to work or burn them a CD of their favourite tracks for
the car. Little things go a long way in a relationship so
make it your love life resolution this New Year to be kinder
to your partner.