Date Night. As a Couples Counselor, I recommend going on weekly dates where you change the mindset from husband and wife to boyfriend and girlfriend. Relationships require effort if you don’t want to become dreaded roommates. These dates don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Carved out time for the two to enjoy each other’s company and get to know one another outside of being mom and dad makes all the difference in happy relationships. Going out to dinner in your house clothes doesn’t constitute a Date Night.
Here are some inexpensive date night ideas:
- Ask each other some Date Night questions
- Create a Love Coupon Booklet
- Watch a movie in or out of the home
- Unplug
- Star gaze
- Plan a vacation
- Light a fire and reminisce
- Cook dinner and set your table like you’re at a romantic restaurant
- Have dessert (make a dessert together)
- Dance
- Read together
- Write poetry
- Color
- Go for a walk
- Drink wine in dim lighting
- Have sex
Usually, the challenge for long-term couples is to get out of the routine that they’ve fallen into and put some effort into making their lives together more fun and joyful. The best relationships require effort from both individuals. As a matter of fact, effort made for all coupling activities makes for a stronger bond. If you don’t have your next date-night planned, go ahead and do it. It’s not really a luxury as much as it is a necessity for a happy and life-affirming relationship.
For information on becoming more connected to your partner contact me at (858) 735-1139.
