Every couple has those times when their relationship just seems to stall. Nothing’s quite wrong, exactly, but you feel like you’re just going through the motions or like you’re not sure what your next move should be. Ready to mix it up? Try these bonding experiences that can bring your relationship to the next level, or at least give it a little extra oomph:
- Take a trip to a foreign country together. When you travel with someone, you get to see a whole new side of their persona. Suddenly, your “same-old, same-old” relationship seems new and adventurous again, and you’ll build memories to last a lifetime.
- Learn a hobby that’s totally new to both of you. Learning something new will enable you to feel proud of yourselves and of each other, and it’ll give you something in common that you can do together instead of your usual Saturday night Netflix and chill.
- Host a party. A grown-up party. As in, with food that’s not pre-prepared from Whole Foods and cups that are not of the red solo variety.
- Go to a wedding together. It’ll get you thinking and talking about what you envision for your own future. And if either of you are afraid to commit, a wedding could be just the kick in the pants you need to realize that sometimes, the things that scare you the most are the things that are most worth doing.
- Spend the holidays with the other’s family. You’ll laugh together. Or cry together. Or laugh until you cry together. If you come out of it intact, you’ll come out of it stronger.
- Try a new sex toy. Pick something that pushes your boundaries but doesn’t break them. Enjoy.
- Temporarily take care of a pet, or a child. Choose the one most appropriate to your experience level. If you’re a total beginner with children, offer to look after a friend or neighbor’s dog while they’re gone. If you’re a babysitter extraordinaire, give your favorite mama a break for the day. Caring for another living being together will give you an emotional high. More importantly, it’ll give you a taste of how he deals with dividing up the many tasks that go along with caregiving. Will he be an equal partner, or is he a freeloader? Have the difficult conversations now, and emerge stronger for it.
- Go to an amusement park. Choose the most terrifying ride. Scream like you’re a baby. High five at the end.
- Go on a double date with a married couple. And try not to exchange those knowing looks where you’re making fun of them the entire time, either. Watch what they do, and how they behave toward each other. Apparently they’re doing something right.
- Cook a new recipe together. Making something from scratch yourself is an awesome and delicious pick-me-up. Making something from scratch together is that, plus the bonus of a shared accomplishment. I’d recommend something with chocolate.
- Bury a body. Kidding! Seriously. It’s a joke. Please do not do this.
