The beginning of a relationship can be a fascinating time. There’s the joy of a new connection, the thrill of mutual attraction, and the excitement of learning more about someone.
Of course, it’s also completely natural to be anxious about this stage of life. It’s understandable given that you and your partner may not have learned how to trust each other yet.
However, if you’re interested in making a new relationship last, you don’t necessarily need to move mountains for them. Instead, you can do any number of small things to demonstrate that you care.
With that in mind, here are five small things that can profoundly and positively affect a new relationship.
Give Them a Gift
Who doesn’t like getting presents? When you’re in a new relationship, it can be difficult for you and your partner to know how serious the other person is, especially as you’re just beginning to learn one another’s love languages.
As a simple demonstration that you care, you can’t go wrong with sending your partner a small gift, like a box of chocolates or a beautiful flower bouquet. It’s perfect for setting the mood for a romantic date night, too.
No matter their personal preferences, everyone loves it when their space is beautiful and when they get to enjoy a special treat. Gift bundles like FruitFlowers® from Edible Arrangements® are incredibly convenient in this regard.
Practice Attentive Listening
Another small practice to cultivate is to engage in attentive listening. Attentive listening is a form of conversation in which you demonstrate in dynamic ways that you are paying attention to and considering what another person has to say instead of letting their words go in one ear and out the other.
While there are many strategies for attentive listening, the bottom line is that you should listen in a way that conveys your presence with the person and speak with them in a way that demonstrates you processed what they said. For instance, refer to previous comments that your partner has made so that they know you genuinely listened as they shared their thoughts.
Performing active listening might seem basic, but it’s an incredible way to demonstrate your commitment to a new partner. Everyone likes being heard, and since new relationships can be fraught with insecurity, it’s invaluable for your partner to know that you care.
Learn To Laugh
Always remember to lean into laughter. When you’re in a new relationship, things can feel incredibly serious. When you don’t know someone’s habits and signals, you might be inclined to read their behavior with fear or suspicion. However, nothing can be worse for a developing relationship than looking for reasons to distrust them.
For that reason, you should learn to take things in good humor. If your partner has a minorly annoying habit or funny quirk, use it as an occasion to laugh with them rather than to get upset.
Obviously, this does not mean belittling your partner; it just means maintaining a good sense of humor in the face of challenges.
Express Your Feelings
Another early relationship best practice is being generous and open with your feelings.
For the reasons mentioned above, your partner may not have a read on you if you’ve only been dating for a short time. They might not understand when you’re mad, sad, happy, or bored, and misreading these signals can drive a wedge between you.
As a result, you will put yourself in a great position if you grow accustomed to verbally sharing your feelings with your partner. Doing so will help them get to know you better and create new opportunities for intimacy.
On the other hand, this doesn’t mean you should overwhelm your partner. People have different capacities for emotional talk, and you should be sensitive to your partner’s needs and boundaries before you bombard them with all your deepest thoughts.
Plan a Getaway
Finally, if you want to spice things up early in your relationship, you can’t go wrong with a weekend getaway.
A short trip has several advantages. First, it gets you both out of your comfort zone, which can encourage you to bond in new ways. Second, it alleviates the distraction that so often accompanies everyday life. Third, it carves out dedicated time to have fun with your partner!
If finances are a barrier to planning an exotic trip, don’t despair. You can also choose to take a staycation in a local hotel or vacation rental so that you and your partner can experience some local fun in your city or region.
Final Thoughts
It can be an exciting, intimidating, and powerful experience to enter into a new relationship. However, there’s good news: if you take the time to bond with your partner in ways big and small, you’re sure to build the foundation for your relationship to last.
