We all enjoy being the recipient of a grand romantic gesture: a limousine ride to a fancy dinner or a hot-air balloon ride over the city. But sometimes we’d settle for a cup of tea and someone to ask how our day went.
These small daily acts of love are special because they have the greatest and longest-lasting effect:
Offer small tokens
We’re not talking about flowers or a box of chocolates (though those never go astray). We’re talking about the small tokens of affection that serve as reminders of how much you care for your partner.These include, leaving the porch light on because you know she’ll be late, hanging his trousers out to dry because you know he’ll need them and making sure there’s milk in the fridge for her morning coffee. Simple gestures such as these go a long way to making your partner feel considered and loved.
Show appreciation
It’s easy to forget how much your significant other does, and a simple thank you for cooking dinner, fixing the leaking tap or unpacking the dishwasher is always welcome. Praise makes us feel important. People are also more likely to continue doing things for you if they feel appreciated.
There’s also nothing like having a partner sing your praises in front of others, and mentioning that your wife has a talent for patching holes in your jumper, or your husband makes a delicious roast, always scores you brownie points.
Put yourself out
How often have you said ‘no’ to something your partner wanted to do? Love is as much about doing as it is about feeling, and one of the most important ways to make a person feel loved is to say ‘yes’, even when you don’t feel like it. So, promise you’ll see that movie she wants to see or that’ll you’ll go and watch his golf game on the weekend. Compromise is one of the major cornerstones of a relationship, but compromises such as these shouldn’t be difficult to make.
Check in
One of the simplest ways you can show someone love is simply to ask how they are. When we see someone every day, we can miss talking about the small things. When she gets home in the evening, ask how her day was. If he seems preoccupied, see if he needs to chat. A text message to your significant other during the day also lets them know that you’re thinking of them.
Follow through
A great demonstration of love is making the other person feel like they can count on you. The best way to give your partner that sense of security is to follow through with your promises. If you told her you’ll put out the bins tonight, do it tonight. If you promised to meet him at the café at 1pm, don’t be late. Don’t allow your other commitments to take over your time together.
When it comes to maintaining a solid relationship, it’s definitely the little things that count the most.
Do you have any suggestions for daily acts of kindness?
