In long-term relationships it can be easy to fall into a lazy lifestyle, filled with late nights on the couch and take-out dinners—especially if you cohabitate. These comfortable habits can quickly turn into stale patterns that make life less than exciting, and whether your relationship is new or seasoned, no one likes boring.
Continue reading ➞ 5 Activities to Improve Your Life As a Couple
The hallmark of a strong relationship is being able to weather the storms of life – some minor and some major – and come out on the other side stronger. One of the most stressful times for a couple is the home buying process, and that’s true of new couples and of those who’ve been together for ages. A recent survey found that 60 percent of couples said they had disagreements at some point during the hunting/buying of their home. Here’s how to ensure the process goes smoothly and your relationship stays strong.
Continue reading ➞ Tips and Tricks for Couples Buying Their First Home
Marriage is a huge commitment, both personally and financially. That’s just one of the reasons today’s couples — Millennials especially — are waiting to tie the knot later in life.
If you’re ready to say yes to a serious relationship with your partner without making the marriage leap, here are some ways that you can show your commitment.
Continue reading ➞ Expressing Commitment to Your Partner – Without Getting Married
It’s time to get on board with the use of emojis in conversations, if you aren’t already. They’ve officially taken the dating world by storm! And, as we know too well, with great power comes great responsibility. A beneficial tool when used well, a simple emoji can easily help or hinder your chances with someone you are chatting to.
Continue reading ➞ The Best and Worst Emojis to Get Replies on Your Dating App
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. If you used up all your gift ideas for Christmas, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! While a cute card and flowers can go a long way, we want to give you some out-of-the-box ideas to consider. From inexpensive, sentimental gifts to pricier items to surprise your sweetie, here are 10 Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your significant other.
Continue reading ➞ A Valentine’s Day to Remember – The Best Gifts for Your Valentine
Today we are excited to share a heartwarming success story we received just last week from two former Plenty of Fish members, Kerby and Simon. Simon had given up on finding love due to his experience in a past relationship, but it wasn’t long before Kerby changed his entire outlook on love and on life.
Continue reading ➞ Kerby & Simon’s Plenty of Fish Love Story
Netflix and chill is so last year, especially when you’ve been dating for a while. Smart home technology can help you take date nights to a new level. Most people were exposed to the possibilities when, onFriends, Pete brings Monica home from a date and says, “Lights. Wait, no. Romantic lights.” The ability to control the mood of a date with just your voice was once far-fetched, but now using tech to inspire romance is something everyone can do. Here’s how:
Continue reading ➞ Couples Date Night Enhanced with a “Smart” Home
When you first begin dating someone, everything is new and exciting, and you really enjoy each other. Over time, even though your feelings may be even stronger, the newness and excitement seems to disappear, and relationships seem more like work than fun and romantic. A relationship is like anything else you do in life. In order for it to be a success, you need to work at it. Today we are going to take a look at 10 ways that you can put that spark back into your relationship.
Continue reading ➞ 9 Ways To Help Put The Spark Back In Your Relationship
Exercise has countless benefits, not just for your own health and happiness, but also for your romantic relationships. Yes, cardio exercises are great for the obvious: heart-health, reducing obesity, decreasing stress, etc. What about improving the stability and satisfaction of your relationship? Establishing a running routine with your S.O. might sound like torture–even for seasoned runners–but it can enhance your relationship and ultimately lead to a happier you.
Continue reading ➞ Fall is Coming – 5 Reasons to Start a Running Routine With Your S.O.
There is something wonderful about meeting someone that you can share and build your life with.
It’s easy to think that just because you feel something strong for your partner that you will always be on the same page.
Unfortunately, healthy and strong relationships are not built on feelings alone and growth within each person is inevitable.
So, what do you do when you grow at separate rates or in different directions? How do you still insure unity within change?
If you are worried that the stress, confusion and conflict in your relationship is caused by certain growing pains, here are 5 ways to tell if you are reading from the same book or writing separate ones altogether:
1: You just don’t seem to have as much in common anymore
You no longer seem to be able to relate to things that you used to connect on before. Whether you or they have changed and grown as a person, this could now mean that different interests have developed. As your character develops and you learn more about yourself, it’s no wonder that who you connect with changes because your own interests, morals, priorities and thought patterns can become totally different.
2: You crave more attention apart then together
When you have more fun away from them, then with them, it’s a good indication that you are drifting apart. Unity takes work and compromise in a relationship, but you should always be craving to be with them, more so than apart. Your partner should be adding to your joy and existence, not hindering you from feeling happy or moving forward.
3: You are starting to resent them for everything
This is because you have become frustrated with who they aren’t, as you have become more who you are. You may find yourself starting to pick at them for small insignificant things, because internally you may be frustrated that they aren’t on the same page as you, or simply because you feel you can no longer connect with them.
4: You feel like you have to explain everything to them
You become increasing frustrated with them, because you are either constantly pulling them up to your level, or having to explain your new thinking and actions towards them. When we develop emotionally and mentally at a different level to our partner, it makes us become less patient with them. We expect them to be on the same page and get annoyed when they aren’t.
5: Indifference has set in, along with a lot emotional space
The opposite to love is not hate; it’s indifference. When you start to feel nothing at all towards your partner, because of the lack of connection, understanding or unity, that’s when you know your relationship is in deep trouble. Wanting space either physically, emotionally or mentally from your partner is a strong indication that you are growing apart in different directions.
So here’s what to do…
Growing at different rates is something more common than we think, that’s why it’s important to date someone from the get-go that you see compatibility with.
When two people start off as one and then slowly drift apart it’s integral that you bring it to light. If you are feeling the void increasing between you both, then you need to have a talk about it.
Avoiding or accommodating for the elephant in the room isn’t going to solve the issue.
This isn’t just about liking the same common interests, but wanting the same things and both being able to adapt to change whilst communicating how you both feel.
Unity is not always built on convenience and common interests, but on choices , sacrifice and awareness of what is causing division.
