Too often in relationships we forget to include our partner in our lives. Yes, we may share our lives together but we often go out and do “our own” thing, without including them. Of course it is important to keep our hobbies and still be ourselves, but when in a relationship it is important to include the other person. Just a simple invitation for some time “hanging out” together can go a long way towards an improved relationship!

Doing activities together and keeping each other involved can work wonders for your relationship. Joint activities will help renew your connection, give you both something positive to talk about, strengthen your bond as a couple, decrease your sense of boredom, and help you to develop a stronger friendship in your partnership!

Finding an activity that you both can enjoy can be a bit difficult at times, however. For example, if one of you likes NASCAR and the other likes Interior Decorating, how do you incorporate the two? The short answer is, you don’t have to! Your partner probably has some interests that you just don’t understand or can’t get into, and that’s okay. That doesn’t mean they should drop their hobbies to fit you better, or that you should conform to their likes and interests. It’s important to respect your partner’s hobbies and likes and to show them that you are interested in them, even if you aren’t into amateur taxidermy or ice skating. Occasionally, get involved in your partners interests. They will appreciate your involvement and you will benefit from including yourself in their interests.

However, having shared interests is just as important as having individual interests! So, even if you can’t like what they like, try and find something the two of you can like together. Trying out new activities together like a dance class or going for a morning walk can reinvigorate the romance in your relationship. Other activities you could try are things like reading the same book (or book series) together and talking about the plot, volunteering for charity work together or doing an anonymous good deed, taking a weekend camping trip together, and so on. If both of you like sports, you can try out activities like joining a couple’s league or playing darts, pool, bowling, soccer, tennis, etc., together.

If sports just aren’t your thing, try things like stargazing, wine tasting, or painting. You can even just check in your area to find something that sounds fun to both of you. Try new things out together until you find something you both enjoy, although you may find that trying to find something can be just as fun.

You don’t need to do everything together, everyone needs time away from their partner. But, you don’t want to get so caught up in your own stuff that your relationship suffers as a result. So, respect your partner’s interests, and encourage them to join you on shared pursuits. As long as both of you maintain an open mind and keep good communication skills, finding something you both love will be a bonding experience, and a breeze!

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