Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions this year to strengthen your relationships? It’s a great resolution to have, as having healthy, strong, and meaningful relationships will help make your year that much better. So how can you strengthen these relationships? Here are six ways for you to try.
- Assume people like you. Making friends as an adult isn’t as easy as it was when we were kids. Instead of assuming someone doesn’t like you off the bat, assume that they do. You’ll be friendlier and more open to them if you do.
- Don’t underestimate small acts of kindness. It could be as small as baking cookies for a friend or even paying for a stranger’s coffee at the coffeeshop. Small acts of kindness really make a difference.
- Embrace the power of the casual check-in. You don’t need a reason to call, text, video chat, or email a friend – do it just to say hello and see how they’re doing!
- “Turn toward” your partner during the day. For romantic relationships, acknowledge things your partner is saying or asking of you. The response can be as simple as a nod or a touch.
- Acknowledge the “normal marital hatred” too. For married partners, it’s normal to have times of disharmony or feel a sort of “hatred.” Acknowledging it to your partner, and to yourself, will make a difference.
- Cultivate “freudenfreude.” This is the happiness we feel when someone else succeeds, even if we’re not involved. Celebrate your friends’ victories, big or small!
Source: The New York Times