How to spend quality time with your partner

How to spend quality time with your partner...

24/3/2015

How do you spend quality time with your partner? The key word here being, QUALITY.

Last week I was out at a local cafe with my hubby, brother and sister in-law. We were sitting there talking away, catching up and having a laugh. It was a good time. But I noticed a couple that came and sat at the table next to us.

So this couple went and ordered their food, came and sat down, played on their phones, ate their food, sat looking around the cafe and then got up and left. There was literally hardly any talking what so ever between this couple. They would have been in there early to mid twenties.

Now I am not here to judge these people because I don't know their story, I just really felt sad that they had nothing to say to each other and thought looking at their phones was more exciting.

These are young people who should have so much to say to each other. What has happened to communication?

Now I have written a blog on the topic of putting your phone down and enjoying life, but instead of going into that again, I wanted to give you some tips on how to get the most quality time with your partner,

Quality time doesn't have to be going out for date night or spending a romantic weekend away together, but these things are great to do, so please by all means do these as well. But I am also talking about being just at home in each others company. You can get some great quality time there if you just follow a couple of my easy tips below...

+ Put your phone away!

My husband and I have a rule when we are together, our phones are put away. They don't sit on the table or stay in our hands, unless we are taking photos if we are out and about. I want to be in his company, I don't want to be scrolling through Facebook or liking photos on Instagram when we are together.

+ Talk to each other!

Each night my hubby and I eat dinner together at the dining room table with the TV off. We ask each other about our day and speak about anything else that has popped up that has taken our interest. We have some great discussions during these times and they are so special. Asking him/her about their day allows them to chat and open up about any frustrations or stressors that may have arised that they may not have other wise spoken about. Stress needs to be released!

+ Listen, like really listen!

Yes you may have other things on your mind, but you need to be really listening to what your partner is saying. Make eye contact. Engage in what they are saying. Show them that you care about what they are talking about.

+ Make physical contact with each other, every single day!

A bear hug, a good 'ol pash, whatever it may be, keep that physical contact happening. Don't get lost in the same old routine where affection is lost.

+ Tell each other 'I love you' all the time and mean it!

My hubby and I always tell each other 'I love you' before he leaves for work, when we are finishing a phone conversation, before going off to sleep and other times throughout the day.

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I'm not trying to be a relationship expert here, I am just going off my own personal experiences with past relationships and now my marriage. Being happy and engaging with your partner is so important and a big part of being happy with your life. It all goes hand in hand with your career, health and family life. I want you to be happy in all areas because you deserve to be.

I just felt compelled to share this with you after feeling so sad for that couple I mentioned above. Relationships shouldn't be like that! You should be happy and if you're not, then maybe something needs to change.

I would love to hear from you, what do you and your partner do to spend quality time together? Please leave your comments below.

P.S If you haven't become part of the Radiant Tribe yet, join the community now by popping in your name & email address above and click 'subscribe'. As a thank you, you will receive your very own copy of my latest eBook, 'Secrets to Sticking with a Radiant Lifestyle' instantly plus a couple of extra goodies just because I love you.

Be happy & healthy,

8 Comments

Kylie

24/3/2015 08:00:54 am

Every day when I hear my husband's car drive down the driveway from work, I put the kettle on and when he walks in there's a cup of coffee waiting for him. We sit down at the kitchen table and talk about our day. Sometimes we talk for 10 minutes, sometimes half an hour and other times 1 hour. It sounds a little old fashioned and it probably is because I watched my Mum do the same thing for my Dad when I was growing up. My parents are still happily married after 45 years :)
P.S. I love the picture you posted with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background :)

Kylie Anderson

24/3/2015 10:13:52 am

I love that you do this for your hubby Kylie, it is so nice! It gives you both a chance to have a chat and see how each other are going. I thought you might like the phot ;-) xx

deseree

25/3/2015 06:56:02 am

Hi Kylie i make an effort now when my husband starts at 9am which is about 2 to 3 times a week i get up and make us a cuppa before maddison wakes up and we sit down and chat,because sometimes our evenings can be busy,i never used to get out of bed before we were always saying goodbye to eachother while i was still in bed.I love it now and hope it wont change xx

25/3/2015 07:10:21 am

Hey Des!! Thank you so much for sharing :)
I love that you get up earlier to have that special quiet time with your hubby before Maddy wakes up. What a special thing for you to do. Keep doing it! Don't let it slip because it is though little things that keep the spark alive xoxo

Michelle Marie McGrath link

26/3/2015 07:29:20 am

These are such important points - so valid and great reminders. After a marriage breakdown several years ago it was easy to see how over time we can slip into bad habits, take each other for granted and not communicate effectively. I've got such a different perspective on this many years later and with my partner now, we really make an effort with communication. The small things really are the big things!

26/3/2015 08:31:24 am

Thanks so much for sharing Michelle! It is so true, the small things are the one's that make the difference. Without them a relationship can easily fall into bad habits which is such a shame.xx

Maria link

30/3/2015 04:49:40 am

Hi Kylie,
loved reading this - what a beautiful reminder to get back to the basics. I have been married for 29 years and I just light up when my husband comes in the door - it is so wonderful to have real connection. xx

1/4/2015 03:45:24 am

Awww thank you so much Maria!! It is definitely a nice reminder that even the basic little things in a relationship do matter. That is so beautiful that you still light up when your husband comes in the door, I love that!! Thank you so much for sharing xxx

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