Y’all, relationships are tricky. No matter whether it’s a relationship with our parents, our kids, our siblings, our friends, or our partner, relationships ebb and flow every day. I think that’s what can make them so tricky. Standstills don’t really happen, and if they do, it’s hard to tell if that’s a good thing. I constantly strive to show love in my relationships, no matter who it’s with—I think it makes for happier people on both sides. But I also get it; I know it’s hard for everyone to show love—so I came up with a few ideas for y’all. Below, you’ll find some of my favorite sweet and simple ways to show affection. Tailor this to your relationship’s specific needs, and once you introduce them to your life, you’ll see what a difference it makes to show a little love every now and then. Check it out!
Understand Their Love Language
Before y’all freak out and say “gross!” about understanding your parent’s love language, understand that love language expands much further than romantic love. In fact, it’s a great way to understand platonic love as well. I love knowing that my girls like quality time over gifts, but everyone is different. I urge y’all to take some time to understand how the people in your life show love and accept love—it’ll make affection that much easier!
Make Time for Them
That quality time love language is actually something that I think everyone appreciates. Your kids or partner may not say that their love language is spending time together, but more often than not, pairing time together with another love language will encourage a deeper connection. Simply putting a few minutes aside in your day to make time for them will show that you care. It seems hard at first, but I promise those conversations will make it well worth the effort.
Send a Little Praise
It’s simple—you like being praised, and so do those that you love. No matter whether it’s your kids, your parents, or your friends, sending a little encouragement to others is a super simple way to show affection. I love leaving little notes for people; it’s sure to bring a smile to their faces!
Start a Hobby Together
Perfect for any of the relationships you want to improve, hobbies have an excellent way of bringing people together. For example, if you like to knit, start teaching your children how to knit. Follow a few simple tips, and you’ll be on your way to days where you and your kids spend time knitting together. It’s a sweet way to spend time together without it feeling forced. Start a cooking class with your partner, go hiking with your parents—hobbies are great more showing affection.
Give a Handmade Gift
Sometimes, all your loved ones need is a handmade gift. Many people think handmade gifts are just for the holidays, but I’m here to tell y’all that a handmade gift is perfect for showing affection year-round. There are so many benefits of making handmade gifts for your loved ones, but my favorite is how personal they are. No matter your age, your talents, or the relationship, a handmade gift shows a deeper affection that many people struggle to showcase.
Try out these simple ways to show affection and let me know what y’all think!
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