Some things need to be let go before other things can be let in *
*quote by Marianne Williamson
What positive qualities do you want to bring to your relationship this year that will help you experience more love and connection?
Here are some ideas, but feel free to add your own:
- Empathy
- Generosity
- Affection
- Vulnerability
- Spontaneity
- Support
- Friendship
- Fun
- Passion
- Laughter
When you consciously introduce even one new positive quality to your relationship, you’ll see that it brings more warmth and intimacy into your shared space with your partner.
Choose a positive quality that you wish to see more of in your relationship – for example, empathy. Consider one concrete way that you can introduce empathy into your interaction today – like taking five minutes to truly listen to your partner talk about work issues, without offering your advice or judgement.
What negative qualities do you want to let go of in 2021 to make room for your new ways of being more loving and connected in your relationship? This is obviously only a partial list, so add your own if it doesn’t appear here.
- Judgment
- Selfishness
- Coldness
- Negativity
- Pessimism
- Apathy
- Distractedness
- Competition
- Seriousness
- Criticism
Choose a negative quality that you want to reduce or remove from your relationship – for example, criticism. Consider one way to avoid criticizing today – like deciding that you’re not going to comment on how your partner does the kitchen chores.
When you make an effort to remove even one negative way of relating to your partner, you’ll create a safer space for more open communication.
In your opinion, which comes first – letting go of the negative or bringing in the positive?
What if you and your partner don’t agree? Do both of you need to choose and prioritize together?
In Relationship Coaching for couples, an essential part of the process is creating a structure for each person to express what they need more of in the relationship and to listen generously to the other’s needs.
Reducing negativity and bringing in more positive qualities are key steps to creating an open, loving connection.