Joanna Marie O. Santos
July 27, 2023

Do you feel like it’s been a while since you and your partner did something romantic together? Sometimes, life gets in the way and your relationship takes a backseat so you can focus on your other priorities, such as career and family. Or it’s been years and your relationship has gone stagnant. 

A relationship rut is when you feel your relationship has become boring and monotonous, like a routine you perform every day. The sparks that you once felt are just not there anymore. But this is normal and somewhat inevitable, especially for long-term couples, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have to address it and go to the root of this rut. It can be frustrating and make you have doubts about your relationship. 

You and your partner just need to conquer this period of time together; otherwise, it might just be the reason your relationship continues downhill until you find yourself stuck in an unhappy situation with the person you love years in the future. 

Here’s what you can do to keep the spark alive in your relationship.

10 Ways To Liven Up Your Relationship With Your Partner

There is no magic formula to love (if there were nobody would break up) but there are ways you and your partner can try to rediscover your own magic in your relationship. 

1. Spend quality time together

No matter how busy life gets, you and your partner should still find time for each other. Use this time to get cozy, intimate, or even just for a conversation.  It’s a good way to start reconnecting with your partner. Investing time in your relationship is crucial for it to last.

2. Experience new things together

Create new memories by seeking new experiences together to bring back the fun in your relationship. You can suggest spontaneous activities you haven’t tried before, like skydiving, bungee jumping, wakeboarding, and water skiing. It’s a sure way to make both of you happy, and you will cherish the memory forever. 

3. Go on a date night

Dress up and go on a romantic date night like it were your first time meeting each other. If it’s been a while since you and your partner went out on a date, this will help you reignite the “sparks” that you’ve been missing. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just something romantic and intimate. You can try making it a regular thing too, to keep your relationship from going stagnant. 

4. Go on a trip

The stress from your everyday life can definitely put a strain on your relationship. A trip out of town with your partner can help–just the two of you on the beach or strolling a new city at night. Away from everything and everyone else, you can free your mind of your problems and enjoy your time together without letting anything bother you. 

5. Surprises!

Surprise your partner with a simple gift or something that means a lot to them. You can leave them love notes to make them smile or send them flirty texts throughout the day to keep them excited to go home to you. By doing this, you’re creating spontaneity and keeping the fun in your relationship. And who doesn’t like surprises? It means the person cares and thinks about you. 

6. Discover a new hobby together

If you feel like you and your partner are not doing anything together anymore, you can find a new hobby both of you can enjoy. Whether it's sports, going to the gym, learning a new skill, or enrolling in a class, you can learn and have fun together. This way, you spend quality time with your partner, find common interests, and rekindle your chemistry. 

7. Express your love often

Yes, you love each other, but how often do you express it? In a stable and long-term relationship, it’s still important to express your love whenever and however you can. It fosters trust and assurance and leaves no room for doubt. 

8. Show physical affection

Whether it’s hugging, kissing, cuddling, or holding hands, make your partner feel that you love them. Physical affection will definitely steam up your relationship and strengthen intimacy. No matter how many years you have been together, your partner will always desire to be wanted and touched. 

9. Keep it romantic

It’s important to keep things romantic and passionate in and out of bed. It’s a way to keep the fire in your relationship alive throughout the years, as well as to make sure you don’t lose the special connection you have with your partner. 

10. Put in effort

The bottom line is to constantly put in more effort. Whether it’s a date night or planning an out-of-town trip, you and your partner should find ways and time to make each other feel special, even if that means you have to make small sacrifices. Don’t start getting lazy just because you’ve been together for a long time.

The Key To A Happy And Lively Relationship

A study published by Harvard University claims that one of the secrets to happiness and health in life is love and having good quality relationships. Relationships require time and constant effort from both parties involved. Relationship ruts are a common phenomenon, but they’re quite easy to overcome if you know what to do. 

Reconnecting with each other can be accomplished when you communicate and empathize with your partner. This way, you’re on the same page and can come up with solutions to resolve your issues together. The key factors to long-term satisfaction, according to a study, are thinking positively about each other, being affectionate, and sharing new and challenging activities.

No relationship is perfect, so no need to put unrealistic pressure on yours. Of course, there are gonna be bumps along the way. The goal here is to stay happy and passionate together.