Nobody can put a price on ‘me time’ – whether you’ve had a stressful week at work or just want a moment to have a good think, we all need a little time out now and then. But when you’ve got a partner, this can be easier said than done, particularly if you’re in the honeymoon phase of a relationship.
On the flip side, if you’ve been in a relationship for a while, you might not be spending enough time with your partner. If you’re having trouble striking the balance, here are a few tips on how you can both make the most of your ‘me’ and ‘us’ time.
Set aside a weekly date night
Remember the early days when all you would do was go out for dinner or to the cinema with your significant other? As time wears on, financial constraints or just a general lack of effort can lead us to forgetting to treat our partners. If you need to re-ignite the spark in your relationship, agree a night to spend time together each week. It doesn’t have to be extravagant – you could just cook at home and watch your favorite box set together. The important point here is that you are doing it together.
Have your own activities
Spending time together as a couple is important, but it’s also imperative that you have your own activities too. See your own friends, take part in your own hobbies or even just do household chores by yourself – you’ll appreciate the opportunity to see your partner all the more after not seeing him or her for a while. Hobbies can be anything personal to you, whether you’re into watching sporting or playing at bingo.com – just make sure it’s all in moderation and you’ll feel all the better for it.
It is so important to have time for just yourself. Even if you are in a relationship, you should still maintain your own hobbies and interests. It can be easy to get wrapped up in your partner and forget about the things you used to enjoy. Spending time apart will actually make you appreciate your time together even more. It‘s also important to have your own friends. Just because you‘re in a relationship doesn‘t mean you should ditch your friends and only spend time with your partner. Having a healthy balance of time for yourself, your friends, and your partner is key to a happy and healthy relationship.
Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, you will both need some time to yourself to pursue your own hobbies, interests and social engagements. This is healthy and will make you more rounded individuals, which will ultimately be beneficial to your relationship.
Share time between mutual friends
One of the biggest makers or breakers of a relationship is a mutual friendship. Whether you’re invited to the pub, a wedding or anything else, some couples cannot help but fall into the trap of being referred to as ‘we’ rather than ‘I.’ While this is fine in moderation, it can lead to teasing that you’re joined at the hip, and moreover, you could run out of things to talk about if you’re always at the same events together. Designate time to spend with your mutual friends both together and separately, and you’ll soon find the perfect balance.
When you’re in a relationship, it can be hard not to get consumed by your partner. While this is a good thing in moderation, you still need to make time to pursue your own hobbies, interests and goals. Your partner should not be the only thing in your life, and by doing your own thing, you’ll not only avoid annoying your partner, but you’ll also have more to talk about.
A good relationship is built on more than just a mutual friendship, but it is an important foundation. Spending time together with friends is a great way to get to know each other better and to build a stronger bond. However, it is also important to spend time apart from each other to maintain a sense of independence. The key is to find a balance that works for both of you.
Communicate
Just because you are in love and feel like you are real soul mates doesn’t mean that you can read each others mind. If you need some time alone then talk to your significant other and explain how you feel. You might find it surprising to discover that your second half was also looking for a “me” break but didn’t want to offend you by talking to you.
At the same time, if you feel that you are not spending enough time together then discuss it openly. Communication is the most important part of any relationship!
