Enhancing Your Relationship Through Rituals
by Karen Sherman, Ph.D.
It's always the simple things that count. Here are 10 rituals to get you started.
Why is it that we all want to be in a relationship? Because when you strip it down, being part of a pair helps you know that you matter to someone else. Face it, there are millions of people in this world and having a partner lets you know that someone cares about you and that you’re accepted.
This desire for feeling connected all starts right from the beginning when you are born and in your childhood—there’s a need for attachment to a caring figure. When couples come in for help, the biggest problem I see is a sense of disconnection and feeling that he or she does not matter to his or her partner. The question then becomes how do you let your mate know that he or she really is important to you?
Do you remember the movie, Fiddler on the Roof? At one point in the script, the couple reflects on all the things that they do for each other, but then ask, "Do you love me?" For me, this raises the issue that perhaps going out and working all day to support the family or staying home and taking care of the house and kids—as monumental as those tasks are—are just not enough to let the other person know how you feel about them.
It’s The Little Things In Life That Count
You may be thinking, "My spouse should know I care" or "How am I ever going to be able to let him/her know it so that it’s believable?" Well, in fact, there are lots of things that can be done that will help to let each other know how important you are to one another. They are rituals. And though they are only small behaviors, they say a lot to signify your connection, your bond.
For most people, noting birthdays and anniversaries are important. Letting someone know that you have him/her on your mind at those times is an indication that he or she is not forgotten. You don’t even need Hallmark to do the job; my father-in-law always wrote a poem for my mother-in-law on the morning of their anniversary and left it on the kitchen table before he left for work. He wrote it on a napkin! She never complained that she felt ignored.
Here’s something special my husband does since he generally awakens before I do: When he hears me get up, he comes to greet me with a hug and kiss. I can’t even tell you what it means to me to feel so welcomed each day.
A Starter Kit
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Do something to greet or say good-bye to one another—even if the absence is for short periods.
- Have a ritual to acknowledge each other at the beginning and ending of each day.
- During the day, make a phone call, send an e-mail or send a text message in order to connect with each other.
- Rather than just spending time together to resolve an issue, make sure there’s also some time put aside just for enjoyment.
- If one of you has to go on a trip, leave a surprise note inside the luggage.
- If your partner has accomplished something special (even if it’s around the house), let others know within earshot of your partner.
- If your mate is having a problem, try being supportive rather than trying to fix the issue.
- Show appreciation to your spouse for things he or she has done—even if it’s mundane.
- Bring novelty into your relationship. When you try new things together, it helps to keep the relationship fresh. And when you share this adventure together, it’s also connecting.
- Turn on the affection. Touch is very important for a sense of connection.
Remember, this is only a starter list. Keep it going! And remember, the more personal your rituals the more meaningful they will be. The need for connection is something you both need and when it’s there, it is very magical!
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