While the cynics may roll their eyes and mutter about commercialism (sometimes quite fairly!), there is still much to be said about celebrating love.
Love comes in many forms – sometimes it’s passionate and romantic – sometimes it’s as comfortable and cozy as your favourite jersey, sometimes it’s just a huge admiration for a dear friend, or love for your children or grandchildren. Whomever you have in your life that you love dearly, let them know. It’s a beautiful thing.
If you aren’t really the flowers or chocolates type, or it doesn’t seem appropriate – try a thoughtful gesture – you could clean a car, unpack a dishwasher, cook a meal, grab a coffee or do some gardening for your loved one. There is nothing like gifting the gift of time and care to make someone feel understood and appreciated.
For couples; the major source of relationship dissatisfaction is not feeling connected to your partner. Once this occurs, lovers feel less safe, are less sexual and less prepared to share themselves completely, which can become a vicious cycle. Just about all of us dream of a really satisfying partnership where we feel safe, understood and valued.
Relationship expert Tarisha Tourok says that they longer couples are together, the more opportunity they have to develop a real depth of intimacy, which is far more powerful than the initial thrill of hormonal attraction, when we really only show the best parts of ourselves to our partner.
“Disagreements are arguments are part of a healthy relationship,” she says. “Not that you should disagree all the time, but a relationship with no arguments, generally means no passion of any kind.”
Tarisha counsels couples to help them reconnect and improve their relationships. “Most often, people can reconnect,” she says. “Often it is the woman who makes the initial approach, but couples trigger each other – once they makes changes, they are able to really grow together.”
She believes in the concept of soul mates, but not that there is only one. “There are many people who have the potential to develop into a soul mate,” she says. “The important thing is to take time and really get to know someone well.”
In time for Valentine’s Day, she has developed a free 21 Day Challenge, to reconnect with your partner. For more information, click here.