Is Romance Dead? Tips to Reignite the Spark
As Valentine’s Day rolls around this year, are you feeling a bit – meh? It’s been a challenging twelve months, and with lockdowns and working from home, it can feel like groundhog day, seeing each other 24/7. If you’ve been together for years, the spark, while still there, maybe just isn’t what is used to be. The good news is romance is alive and well, and you can reignite the spark this Valentine’s Day (and throughout the year) with our simple tips to get the romance back into your lives.
Do something new together
If you’ve been together for a while, it can seem like you’re always going to the same places and doing the same things. And while there is nothing wrong with having a favourite restaurant, it can add to the feeling of flatness if you are always doing the same things. Are you both interested in the same sport – look into playing this together, or going to watch a game. Go for a walk in the park, have a picnic outside while the weather is warm, or discover new parts of your area on a bush walk. If you’re adrenaline junkies, you could try something like abseiling, skydiving, or diving with sharks. You are only limited by your imagination, and you’ll certainly have something new to talk about afterwards.
Do something apart
Take some “me” time. There is nothing like having a bit of time for yourself to refresh and reset, and catching up with friends can do wonders for your psyche. Make a regular time to catch up with friends and do something together. Are you interested in cooking? Many restaurants or community colleges offer courses and you can support local while you master a new cuisine. We can’t travel overseas at the moment, but we can still enjoy great international food. Or what about unleashing your inner Picasso or Monet with a wine and art class – guaranteed to be a hoot.
Have a regular date night
How long has it been since you’ve been on a real date together? It can be so easy to let this drop as life takes over, but going on a regular date night together can be a real romance booster. Use the evening to try a restaurant you’ve never been to, or a cuisine you’ve never tried, and talk about something other than work or kids/grandkids – maybe the next holiday you’ll take when we can travel again? Take it in turns to organise the date night and pick the restaurant. If you can’t eat out at the moment (and these things seem to change regularly), order takeaway from your favourite restaurant, and set up a date night at home, with great wine, and gorgeous scented candles – Palm Beach have a divine White Rose & Jasmine Scented Soy Candle, and as a bonus, if you do have date night at home, your home will be delicately scented afterwards.
Do something thoughtful for each other
This one is a guaranteed romance booster, and will show you still care about your partner. Does your partner hate washing or ironing? Do them a favour and take over this task for them. Maybe it’s cleaning the house/apartment? Offer to get a cleaner in, or do this yourself. Swap the tasks they don’t like with ones you don’t like, or even get someone in to do the tasks for you both, and see the gratitude bloom. Does your partner have a hobby they like? Gardening – buy them some seedlings, reading – get them a bookstore giftcard. A thoughtful gift will earn bonus points and show you are looking out for them. If your partner is suffering from dry skin with all this extra sanitising, get them a gorgeous scented hand cream (I adore the Rose Scented Hand Cream from Jurlique), or maybe a Lip Balm to turn dry chapped lips into soft kissable lips (always a firm favourite, and I am loving the 100% natural, limited edition, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter infused Strawberry Bee Mine Lip Balm, Burt’s Bees has launched for Valentine’s Day) – thoughtful gifts don’t have to be expensive, and they do show you care.
What do you do to boost the romance in your relationship? Do you use any of these tips? Have they worked? Do you use something else? Let us know in the comments below.
