Relationships are always tough, and things don’t get any easier as time goes on. With most long-term relationships, there are going to be periods of ups and downs along the way. Wandering eyes can also become a problem when anyone spends the bulk of his time with just one person. The most important thing is to be aware of the inevitable moment of doubt, and to make a plan to counteract them. Just because you’ve been together for a long time doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun being in the relationship.Of course, the key ingredient to any satisfying relationship is to be in love and that’s something we can’t guide you on. However, we can give you the following 8 ways to keep a long-term relationship interesting through even the most trying times. Throw partiesOne of the biggest mistakes that young couples make is to spend every second with just each other. By just throwing a party and inviting both of your groups of friends over, not only will you be introducing some of your buddies to some new ladies, but you’ll also have an opportunity to be around each other without being attached to one another; this is a great way to keep a long-term relationship interesting while you are at campus and also when you leave universality. You can play some poker with your bros while she entertains her friends, or you can spend your time meeting some of her friends while she does the same. It will be enriching, exciting and most of all, fun.
Visit new places If you guys end up going to the same restaurants all the time, you’ll inevitably be spending a lot of time retreading the same ground. By going to a new town, a new beach or a new hangout, you’ll be opening up a wide range of new conversations and it’s a great way to keep a long-term relationship interesting.It’s wonderfully revitalizing for any relationship to be put in a situation where you’re on equal footing, both unaware of how exactly this new place operates. And when it’s time to go back to the hostel or hall at the end of the day, you’ll be able to enliven your love life on an entirely different bedspread. Spend time apartThis is one of the hardest things to do if you’re in a long-term relationship with someone you truly care about. When you love someone, you want to spend as much time with them as possible, but it’s important to not only have some space, but to also stay apart every once in a while for example during course works or examinations.
Being apart not only allows you some freedom, but it will also make both of you miss each other a little bit and is an ideal way to keep a long-term relationship interesting. But this doesn’t mean that when you are apart, you find love somewhere, we’re suggesting you take time apart to do course work, attend classes, or go back home on weekends so you can catchup with family.Give giftsGiving a gift to someone not only lets them know you love them, but also that you’ve been thinking of them when they weren’t around. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant or pricey; it just has to be something from the heart that your partner would really enjoy. Even if they tell you that it’s unnecessary and not to buy it, it’s very much necessary for the future health of your relationship and a great way to keep a long-term relationship interesting.
Make surprise visitsDon’t be a stalker, but every once in a while pop into her room and take her out for lunch or just stop by to say hello for example in the evening after lectures. It’s the same reasoning behind getting her a gift; it’s a reminder to her that you were thinking of her. However, the difference with this way to keep a long-term relationship interesting is that not only were you thinking of her, but the thought of her imbued you with an urgent need to see her at once. Isn’t that romantic? Well, she’ll think so.Go on datesHey, just because you’ve been dating a while doesn’t mean you should shirk your duties as a gentleman. And a date doesn’t mean you take her to that local hangout you always go to. Instead, do some planning take her to a place all new and affordable, but romantic. Open the door for her, order some nice food that you know she loves and don’t forget to hold her hand if she wants to. Make it a regular thing, for example monthly depending on your budget and class or course demands. It might seem like a lot of work, but it’ll make your relationship stronger and healthier in the long run.Set goals togetherThis is a great way to reinvigorate not only your long-term relationship, but your ambition. Sit down with your partner and decide where you guys want to be in the long-term like after finishing studies or campus, what job you are likely to apply for and where etc. And how to get there. Ask each other for advice about how best to accomplish those goals and once they are accomplished. And don’t just stop there, set new goals: health, comfort, happiness, and so on. There are always ways to better yourself and your relationship, and it’s better to do it together than separately.
Discover things togetherIn the end, the best way to keep a long-term relationship interesting is the easiest thing you can do: Add that element of “new” to your life and your long-term relationship. Take a trip together to where none of you has ever been and have been wanting to go, do yoga with each other or take dancing lessons. Hell, just take her to a new hangout once in a while. The bottom line is that you want to be with each other, but it’s always better to have something in common that you can discuss together.
Author is Ian Akatwijuka
