You say you love your significant lover and would do anything for her, hands down. Don’t worry — we believe you. But does your significant other believe you?
In other words, is she feeling the love?
Perhaps you’ve been with your significant other for 10 months, or maybe you’ve been together for 10 years. Either way, the reality is that your relationship won’t survive if you’re not showing your partner the appreciation she needs. Here’s a glimpse at how to go about showing appreciation in a relationship.
Let’s get started!
Why Does Showing Appreciation in a Relationship Matter?
Relationships are complex. After all, the human beings who comprise them are complex. So, before we delve into why showing appreciation in a relationship matters, let’s look at what human beings in general crave.
Humans naturally crave positive attention constantly. (If you’re on social media, you know exactly what we’re talking about.)
In relationships, problems erupt when we begin to take our partners for granted and stop caring for them. These problems appear in the form of resentment, frustration, and arguments. All of a sudden, we wonder if we’re truly in the right relationships.
This can happen no matter how short or long of a time you and your loved one have been together. However, it’s especially an issue for couples who have been together for a while.
Here’s an example: Your significant other takes your son to school. He’s been handling morning drop-off duty for months now. However, you have never expressed to him how much you appreciate him for doing this.
What if your partner simply quit taking your son to school one day?
It would no doubt impact you. You would need to make a change in your schedule to handle this duty going forward.
In other words, something that seems so simple suddenly becomes significant when it’s no longer getting done.
This is why it’s so important to make a habit out of appreciating your partner for everything he does. Even small tasks make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.
The more frequently you thank your partner for what he does, the better he’ll feel about himself — and about you. This urges him to keep moving forward with brand-new vigor, thus strengthening his relationship with you.
Signs Your Partner Isn’t Feeling the Love
So, how exactly do you know if your partner isn’t feeling the love? Here’s a snapshot of what she may do:
- She’ll argue about little things.
- She may be more silent than usual.
- She might make plans without consulting you first.
- She may not try to be romantic with you anymore.
- She might have an affair.
- She may begin to behave more emotionally.
- She may no longer seek your opinion.
- She might not feel excited about special occasions like she used to be.
- She may become more distant.
Appreciation is twofold, involving both time and focus. As far as time goes, you’ll either learn to accept your loved one’s behavior over time or you’ll become more frustrated with it over time. What you end up doing is all based on your outlook.
Acceptance stems from your realization that things probably won’t change over time. As a result, you learn to accept things the way they are. The more quickly you begin to accept your partner for how she is — flaws and all — the easier it will be for you to appreciate her for what she does.
In fact, you might discover that what was once an irritating habit might actually carry some value. This ultimately enables you to concentrate on what makes her happy, and in turn, you can take the necessary steps to keep her smiling.
How to Show Appreciation
Not quite sure how to keep your partner smiling on the regular? Don’t worry – you’re in good company. Here are some ideas.
First, pay close attention to everything he says to you, which includes making eye contact. He’ll feel that you truly appreciate what he wants to share with you in conversation.
Next, be sure to tell him thank you even for the minor things he does for you that adds immense value to the relationship. And really mean it. Be specific when you’re complimenting him so that he knows exactly what things mean so much to you.
For example, maybe you appreciate how he cooks dinner or irons your clothes. Or perhaps you’re especially grateful that he has been there for you through life’s ups and downs. In fact, he’s the one who has invested more money, time and energy into you than anybody else has.
But don’t just show him appreciation for what he has done. Thank him for simply being who he is. And acknowledge everything you appreciate about his family and friends, too. After all, besides you, these are some of the most important people in his life.
Your Actions Count, Too
Along with all of the above, though, remember that actions speak louder than words. So, enjoy the time you spend doing activities with your significant other. Don’t be afraid to have fun, be playful and laugh while together, as this is a major indicator that you appreciate your other half.
When you’ve invested a lot of yourself into a relationship, you naturally feel good when the other party applauds you for what you’ve done. Your significant other feels the same way. That’s why it’s so important to prioritize showing appreciation to your loved one to keep your spark alive.
