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Posted on 01/12/2022

5 New Year's Resolutions for Your Relationship

5 New Year's Resolutions for Your Relationship

The start of the new year is the perfect time for self-reflection and goal-setting. Although we can strive for self-improvement at any time of the year, January feels like a fresh start, and this can give us the motivation we need to take action. If you're excited to make 2022 your best year yet, you're probably eagerly planning your New Year's resolutions. These goals don't just have to be solo, though. You and your partner can also set New Year's resolutions to strengthen your relationship. 

Whether you and your partner are going through a rough patch or feel stronger than ever, you can always take active steps toward improvement. Here are five New Year's resolution ideas for your relationship or marriage:

 

1. Make Time for Regular Date Nights

If you and your partner live together, it's easy for date nights to become few and far between. Even if you live separately, you may find that you and your partner only spend time at each other's homes instead of going out on formal dates. No matter how long you've been together, though, date nights will always be critical for maintaining a happy and healthy relationship. 

Your dates don't have to be long, elaborate, or expensive, but they should be opportunities for you to enjoy a shared experience. A walk through the park can be a memorable romantic date without requiring you to dress up or spend a dime. Depending on your schedule, commit to planning weekly or bi-weekly dates. If you want a creative challenge, try not to repeat the same date twice this year.

 

2. Learn About Love Languages

If you and your partner are interested in learning more about how you both feel and express love, you'll find the topic of love languages to be fascinating. The idea behind love languages is that everyone primarily expresses love in one of five ways: physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, or gifts.

You and your partner can discover your love languages by reading about each type or by completing online quizzes. It's very likely that your love language will be different than your partner's, which means your natural way of expressing love may not be what makes them feel the most loved. Now, you can make a resolution to find ways to speak your partner's love language. By incorporating both of your love languages into your relationship, you'll both feel loved, appreciated, and understood.

 

3. Try a New Shared Hobby

It's easy to get stuck in a rut with your daily routine, but you can make a New Year's resolution to try a new hobby with your partner every month. They probably won't all be winners, but simply trying something new can bring you and your partner closer together. Maybe you'll laugh about each other's artistic endeavors, or maybe you'll both challenge each other by trying an athletic or outdoorsy activity. The quality time you spend with your partner is more important than the hobby itself.

 

4. Reduce Your Screen Time

Cutting back on screen time is a great personal resolution, but it also can benefit your relationship. With this goal, it's helpful to set specific rules about your screen time. For example, you and your partner may decide that you won't use your phones while watching movies together or while eating meals. Think about what experiences in your day-to-day life you consider the most important for quality time. Then, try to reduce or eliminate your screen usage during those moments.

 

5. Show Appreciation Every Day

In a long-term relationship, you may start to take for granted the things you love about your partner. A great relationship resolution is to show your appreciation and gratitude for your partner every single day.

This doesn't mean that you have to make long speeches or grand gestures all the time. Simply pointing out what you appreciate about your partner can have a powerful effect on your relationship. If your partner looks particularly good one day, let them know. If you're thankful that they did the dishes, tell them. Every day, try to point out at least one aspect of your partner or your relationship that you're grateful for.


Just like you should always be striving for personal growth, you and your partner can always strengthen your relationship. Reflecting on your partnership and setting specific, actionable goals for the future is the key to success, and the New Year is an excellent opportunity to get started. These resolutions should always be a mutual effort, too. Talk to your partner about what they hope to see from your relationship this year, and make a plan together. If you commit to improvement as a team, you'll see your relationship thrive this year.

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