Having a partner that you love and similarly loves you is a gift that you should not take lightly. However, love is not enough to keep the fire growing and maintain the spark you had in the initial stages of your relationship. You need to go the extra mile and show your partner that you care for and appreciate them for their love for you and everything they do for you.
Showing appreciation and care for your partner can and has been proven to protect long-term relationships from bummers such as infidelity, divorce and breakups. It is the little and easy things that keep the relationship strong and going. These are things that you can do unknowingly and every single day.
Here are some ways to show appreciation to your partner – in other words, this is how to show your partner you care and appreciate them.
1. Compliment Your Partner
It may be an old-school trick of showing appreciation but remember, old is gold. No matter how long you may have been together, a simple and basic compliment will show that you still care about your other half.
Try simple compliments such as “you look amazing” and “that folding shirts makes you look hot.” If your partner gets a breakthrough in their project, business or promotion in the workplace, be the first to compliment them.
As much as you compliment your partner in private, remember to compliment them in public.
2. Show Support for Their Dreams and Passions
Your better half maybe passionate about football, mountain climbing, swimming, or any other thing. Maybe, the partner may have big dreams such as travelling the world, starting a business, building or buying a family house. Supporting your partner’s passions and dreams makes them feel cared for and appreciated.
It is not a must you be fun of what your partner likes or dreams. It is okay to have your own interests and spend some time apart to indulge in your passions. This increases the experience to talk about when together, thereby bringing you closer to each other.
3. Surprise Gifts
Gifting your partner should not be reserved for big occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays or Valentine’s day. Once in a while, surprise your partner with a “just because” gift outside of the gift-giving window.
Not only do you catch your partner unaware, but it also shows that you care for them always. A surprise gift shows that you are constantly thinking of your partner. The gift does not have to be expensive; even gourmet chocolate gift baskets can do the trick.
4. Make Small Sacrifices
You may not like something your partner associates with or does, but you do it anyway. This is a show of love and selflessness. Such small sacrifices are rare in the current world, where many people are self-focused. It shows you care and are willing to put the needs and desires of your partner ahead of yours when need be.
5. Saying “I Love You” and “I Miss You”
To be honest, after dating or being married for long, it reaches a point where saying “I love you” and “I miss you” starts decreasing to the point some couples may go for years without saying these words to each other.
When apart for extended periods and miss your partner, make a point to tell them so. This shows that you have been thinking about them and are looking forward to seeing them.
Photo by Brigitte Tohm on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
