How To Strengthen Relationships This Year

2020 was an isolating year for many of us. The COVID-19 pandemic brings enforced periods of social isolation and social distancing. Saving lives, of course, is critical.

However, many of us found that our relationships suffered as a result. While the virus is still spreading in the new year, and we must remain cautious, it’s also an excellent time to strengthen your relationships.

Unsurprisingly, many of us are looking for a fresh start and want to improve our relationships with others. It’s a thoughtful, special New Year’s resolution!

Now, the pandemic hasn’t passed, and people still inevitably face obstacles regarding socializing. But as we’re growing used to living in this new way, many of us are beginning not only to manage but to thrive.

Here are a few suggestions on how to strengthen your relationships this year!

Keep In Touch

The first thing you need to focus on to strengthen relationships is to keep in touch with others.

Now, every relationship is different. Some of us have friends with whom we talk throughout the day, every day, and some of us have other friends with whom we chat once a year.

Whatever dynamic works for your relationship is great. There is no right or wrong! What’s important is that you make an effort to stay connected.

Keeping in touch with friends and family is brutal right now. We can’t catch up ovecan’toffee in a local shop. Nor can we go to the movies, enjoy a shopping spree at the mall, or visit museums. It’s especially true for long-distance relationships, as we definitely can’t travel as we weren’t in the past.

Luckily, we live in the age of technology, and there are countless ways to reach out to people without seeing one another in person! You can text, make a phone call, or have a video call. You can even hold group video calls to get multiple people together.

Check out our article 6 Easy Ways To Keep In Touch With Old Friends for ideas on unique ways to maintain your connection with others.

Learn People’s Love LangPeople’s

First, if you want to learn about love languages, read The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman. This is the best book to know about this vital way of connecting with those you care about.

When we think of love languages, we tend to think of romantic relationships. But we communicate in our love languages with anyone close to us, including family and friends. Understanding love languages will inevitably strengthen your relationships and ensure you appreciate others in a way that makes them feel loved.

Here is a quick introduction to the five different love languages.

Words of Affirmation

Words of affirmation are encouraging words that show you care. A few examples include:

• Telling someone you’re proud of thyou’rehievement
• Letting someone know what a good friend they are
• Telling someone how lucky you feel to have them in your life

Acts of Service

Acts of service are things that you do for someone that you know they will appreciate. This could include:

• Making them a hot drink or picking them up a coffee
• Replacing the oil in their car
• Cooking a meal for them

Receiving Gifts

Thoughtful gifts can truly brighten someone’s day. Gifsomeone’surse, don’t have to be don’t extravagant or expensive. Some ideas for simple yet thoughtful gifts include:

• Send Thank You Flowers
• Purchase their favorite snack
• Please find a new book you know they will like

For more ideas, check out our fantastic gift guides!

Quality Time

Someone whose top love language is quality time values doing activities and hanging out with their loved ones. While we can’t necessarily can’t time together on a face-to-face basis during the pandemic, there are other things you can do. These include:

• Phone call
• Video call
• Masked, socially distanced outdoor picnic
• Hiking or walking through the park

Physical Touch

Unfortunately, physical touch is the only love language that cannot be reciprocated safely during the pandemic. People with this at the top of their list appreciate hugs, pats on the shoulder, holding hands, and other forms of physical connection. If your friend has physical touch as their top love language, ask them how you can supplement or substitute in a way that is meaningful to them.

Be Honest and Open

If any of your relationships feel strained, reflect on why. You may find that you have outgrown the relationship or that it wasn’t ever actually good in the first place. If the relationship revolves around arguing, disagreements, and similar issues, it’s time to reconsider if it’s best for you.

The pandemic has highlighted relationships that largely revolved around having someone to do things with rather than having a genuine connection with that person. That doesn’t mean they don’t die, perhaps not a lifelong one. It might mean having an open and honest conversation to consider whether it’s time to close the door on your relationship.

On the positive side, openness and honesty are critical to a strong relationship. Sharing your goals, joys, fears, and feelings is essential to friendship.

Learning how to strengthen relationships is an essential aspect of personal growth. Hopefully, some of this advice will work in your favor and help you show your loved ones how much you care for them. They’re bound to rThey’reate!