It’s all too common for people’s lives to become so busy that they lose track of what drew them to their partner in the first place. Fortunately it doesn’t have to be that way if you can apply a little imagination and care to the situation. While grand gestures or expensive trips are certainly nice, they’re also not required to establish a spirit of intimacy and connection. Instead, it’s about the simple, thoughtful acts that remind you why the two of you are wearing that wedding ring set in the first place. By incorporating small, meaningful activities into your life, you can rediscover the joy that brought you together. 

Cook a meal together.

Dive into a culinary adventure by selecting a new recipe to tackle together. The process of cooking as a team encourages communication, cooperation, and fun — especially if you’ve got some good music on and a beer or a glass of wine to go with it. You’ll be surprised at how fast a mundane task like cooking can become enchanting when you do it together, and of course, there’s the mouth-watering reward of a delicious meal at the end.  

Explore your city.

Playing tourist in your own town is a delightful way to rediscover the magic that surrounds you. Visit local attractions like museums and parks, or hit up some restaurants and bars. No matter where you live, there’s almost guaranteed to be one thing that makes you say “You know, I’ve never gotten around to seeing that,” so make tonight the night and reconnect with your sweetheart while you’re at it. 

Read a book together.

Pick a book that interests both of you and dive into it together. It could be fiction or nonfiction, sci-fi or history, and you might choose to read it out loud to each other or read independently and discuss it later. Your shared literary journey can spark meaningful discussions and lead to deep insights about your partner’s values and way of thinking. It’s an intellectually stimulating way to spend time together — not to mention a cozy one that goes great with a fresh pot of coffee.

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/loving-young-couple-sitting-outside-wooden-1143542981 

Plan a weekend getaway.

A change of scenery could be just what your relationship needs, so try escaping the routine by planning a short trip to a nearby destination. Whether it’s a cozy cabin in the woods, a charming bed and breakfast, or a jaunt to the beach, your mini-vacation will give the two of you a chance to relax, recharge, and focus on each other without the daily distractions. Plus, if you’re not married yet, this could be an ideal time to pop the question with that stunning engagement ring for women you’ve picked out. 

Plant a garden.

Gardening together brings you the soul-nourishing joy of caring for living things. As you plant, water, and nurture your garden together, you’ll find moments of peace and cooperation, as well as the satisfaction of seeing a long-term project prosper. Watching your plants grow and bloom becomes a shared accomplishment, fostering patience and teamwork — two things that any relationship can use a little more of. 

Create a vision board.

Crafting a vision board together can help you visualize and align your goals — and it makes a pretty fun collage project, too! Gather magazines, photos, and other materials to represent your hopes and dreams together, then cut and paste them until you’ve created a collage that reminds you of everything you’re working toward. It can be a beautiful and tangible reminder of your journey together, so grab your phone and snap a picture that you can look at anytime you need a guiding light. 

Exercise together.

Whether you choose to go for a run, join a rec league sport, or practice yoga, working out together strengthens your connection, but it can provide lots of other benefits as well. If life’s hectic pace has you feeling run down, exercising together is a great way to boost your energy and mood. What’s more, social forms of exercise can introduce you to new people and expand your social circle to include other folks who are interested in an active lifestyle.

Share memories by looking through old photos and keepsakes.

Just about every relationship has a long trail of treasured memories, and taking out old photos and knick-knacks can be a heartwarming way to relive them. When the laughter and stories start flowing, you’ll be amazed at what a meaningful reminder it can be of your journey together. This simple activity helps reinforce the love and connection you share, as well as potentially sparking ideas for future date nights or returns to old favorite spots. 

Write and exchange love letters.

What’s more romantic than a love letter? Exchanging love letters is a tried-and-true romantic gesture that can also help you remember all the reasons you fell for your partner in the first place. Give yourself and your partner a time frame to write them (perhaps a night, perhaps a week) and then trade them off when you’re done. We dare you not to get a warm, fuzzy feeling when you see your partner expressing all of their feelings in print. 

Source: https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/lesbian-women-caressing-on-couch-homosexual-2057457578 

Practice gratitude together.

Looking for a way to reconnect that costs nothing and gives you everything? Try practicing gratitude together. It’s incredibly easy: Each day, take a few moments to share what you appreciate about each other and the life you’ve built. Following this simple habit helps shift your perspective toward all of the positive things in your life and can help bring about a greater sense of appreciation and contentment. Ultimately, that’s what it’s all about. 

Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all way to connect with the person you love. Instead, think about your shared interests and what originally brought you together. Most of all, don’t be afraid to get a little vulnerable — it’s the essence of what keeps us together.