The Balanced Life, Huntsville Alabama

After reading a few of my colleagues’ recent blogs, I was compelled to continue the theme of focusing on the new year in 2019, although with a different outlook. As others mentioned, it is a common expectation to set personal goals at the beginning of each year and attempt to reach those by the end of December.

While it is imperative to create personal goals and attempt to achieve them throughout the year, it is also important to create separate relationship goals with your significant other. Assessing your own goals in relation to your partner’s and combining them to create new goals together can lead to a happier, more fulfilled relationship. 

            At times, it is common to feel the “new” wear off of a relationship.  After years of togetherness and spending seasons of life with one person, things can seem routine at times. While the passage of time is something we cannot control, we should focus on the part we can control- how we make use of this time.  Just as we set our own personal goals to stay healthy or improve, it is necessary to do the same in romantic relationships.  

How can setting relationship goals be done?  First, begin by facilitating a conversation with your significant other about your relationship and its progress this year.  Second, discuss the past and present and how you would like to see both of you as a couple progress in the future.  Here are some suggestions of topics to discuss together become accountable to one another in your relationship.

Career-How have we worked together to accomplish our career goals? Where do we see ourselves this year at work? How much do we value each other’s hard work and determination in our separate careers?

Financial- Are we on the same page with our financial goals? How can we become more accountable to one another in regards to money?  Are there ways we can be spending more or less to improve our financial situation?

Family- What value do we place on family?  Are we spending enough quality time together as well as adequate time with our kids? In what ways can we come together more as a family?

Relationship- How happy are we in our relationship? What areas can we improve on to better our relationship overall? Do we show love to each other effectively?

Health- As we get older, how can we work on our health together? Do we make diet and exercise a priority in our relationship?

While these are just a few suggestions, they are very healthy conversation starters for couples to have.  If these topics are discussed at least once a month, relationships can become “new” again if time and effort are given by both each year and new goals as a couple are set. If you are needing help creating personal or relationship goals and would like to discuss these in counseling, contact Lindsey at lindsey@thebalancedlifellc.com.