Ways to Start Building a Relationship and Keeping the Spark Alive

Ways to Start Building a Relationship and Keeping the Spark Alive

When you have been in a long-term relationship for a while, it’s inevitable that you slowly see the spark fading. This happens due to the monotony of daily life, work schedules, to-do lists, household chores and many more.

Most couples struggle to maintain a balance between their personal and professional lives, which results in the fading of the spark. It’s also entirely possible to take each other for granted when you’ve been together for a significant period of time and stop putting work to keep the connection strong and alive. Add in kids, and all the different activities they require, and your relationship might be on autopilot. 

Whatever the reason may be, there’s always time to rekindle the relationship and keep it alive for the long term. Let us help you get some new ideas. 

Ways to Start Building a Relationship and Keeping the Spark Alive

Here are 5 ways to start building a relationship and keeping the spark alive

1. ‘I love you’ is overrated

Confessing your love for each other is an important practice to keep the relationship alive and healthy. But often, we use this phrase so mechanically in our daily routine that the phrase loses the intensity of its meaning.

While it’s important to remind each other of your love, it’s equally important to convey other emotions and affections to your partner, such as saying, “You make my life so special,” or “I’m grateful to have you.”

Impromptu confessions like this help keep the romance in the relationship alive and well. These simple phrases might even make your partner’s day better. I know hearing something special from Steve when my day has been terrible picks me right up and makes me feel better. 

2. Start the habit of deep conversations

Open and honest conversations are the foundation of any relationship. However, how often do you have a deep andways to start building a relationship and keeping the spark alive meaningful conversation with your partner that is not centered on kids or work?

I know what you must be thinking. There’s never enough time! Well, to maintain a healthy, rounded relationship, it is important that you make the time. “What is something you really want out of life?” or something along these lines can be the question you ask your partner at dinner, or maybe while the both of you are enjoying a glass of wine.

Try to make the conversations deep and meaningful, something that will let you know each other better. If you aren’t much of a talker, maybe writing things down might be better for you and your partner. I found a 3 year couples journal called, “The Two of Us” which offers a daily question and each person gets to write their thoughts or short blurbs each night on the topic. Sometimes they are serious, while others are funny. It really makes you think and learn things about your partner you wouldn’t have otherwise known because the questions aren’t the most common. 

3. Laugh together, live together

Enjoying a good laugh with your partner reinvigorates your relationship like no other. After all, laughter is the best medicine. Try to find the humor in your arguments and fights, but not in a way that discredits your partner’s feelings.

Watch a comedy movie together, share memes and engage in banter like middle-school kids. Keeping that childlike innocence and humor alive in your relationship is very important to sustain it. Steve and I always joke around and laugh with each other — it’s probably one of my favorite things that keeps the spark alive. 

4. Bring something new into your equation

It is so easy to fall into a rut and let your relationship become a part of your routine. To keep the spark alive, it’sRelationships and keeping the spark alive important to change things up from time to time, and invest time in trying out something new.

Break free from your normal habits and do a new activity together. This will bring the fun and excitement back to your relationship, and seeing your partner in a new environment will also help you get to know them better. Experience falling in love with your partner all over again.

One activity Steve and I have brought in is The Adventure Challenge. We do this as a couple, as a family, with friends, and even started using their new, “The Adventure Challenge In Bed,” book to have a little fun when it might otherwise be boring. Click the link above and use my code SPICEITUP for 15% off your order!

5. Never too late to impress each other

When you have been in a relationship for a while, you start taking each other for granted and stop making the efforts to impress each other, like you would have done in a brand new connection.

If your partner appreciates you and tells you that you look good even in sweats, then they deserve a little more effort on your part. Dress up or surprise them with a gift, things you do in the beginning stages of courtship. Take the time to woo your partner all over again, and feel the spark come alive in your relationship.

Finally,

It takes effort to build and sustain a healthy, long-term relationship. You have to spice things up from time to time so that it doesn’t get boring and insipid. Most importantly, you and your partner have to be on the same page regarding this, so that your work doesn’t go in vain.

Try to remember the feelings you harbored in the very beginning, and attempt to recreate that same romance. Trust your partner, and communicate your needs and wants to them openly. If you want your partner to make more of an effort, discuss this with them. There is nothing that helps more than talking and sharing.

How to Embrace Minimalism without Being a Minimalist

How to Embrace Minimalism without Being a Minimalist

Minimalism has been a life-changing concept not only because it limits our possessions, but there are other aspects about it that develop newer and sagacious perspectives amongst people. However, some people tend to only focus on the decluttering aspect of it and neglect the others, and that’s why they end up giving up because it becomes difficult for them to declutter.

I can understand, decluttering is not for everyone. All the more, it’s easier to do it individually, but when you are living in a family that cannot declutter or limit their possessions, the decluttering aspect of minimalism can terribly fail. 

But don’t you worry, as said before; there is more than what meets the eye. There is still a lot you can borrow from minimalism. In other words, you can embrace minimalism without being a minimalist.

You can embrace minimalism, introduce it to your lifestyle, borrow principles, and you’ll do just fine. 

Wondering how? Just sit back and read along. 

How to embrace minimalism without being a minimalist

1.     Simplify life

Life is never easy, it’s complicated. However, most of the time it’s not, in fact, we make it more complicated byHow to Embrace Minimalism without Being a Minimalist stressing about it unnecessarily. We worry about things before they even happen, and spend too much time thinking than doing anything about our problems. 

One way in which minimalism can benefit everyone is that it can make our lives much simplified and easy. It starts from developing habits and routines that promote action and organize every complexity in our life.

For instance, if you happen to live a busy life, and have too many things to do, too many aspects to focus on, you can make it all easier for you by creating yourself a plan and schedule. You can go on living the day, do all that you have to do in an organized manner with the help of plans and schedules. And at the end of the day, it would be a sheer relief to know that you followed your schedule, went as planned, and reached your target. It is all worth it in the end. 

On a contradictory note, some people would find planning and scheduling as something that complicates things further. However, it’s not so. Those who find it complicated are the ones who dread doing things they have to do. Planning and scheduling would not provide them a chance to procrastinate, and that’s what concerns them the most, and that’s why they find the approach, “too systematic”. Although if the concern is flexibility, then plans and schedules can be flexible, they must be followed, and targets should be met. You have to push yourself towards it. 

2.     Become a mindful spender

One of the most pragmatic benefits of minimalism is that it facilitates savings. As minimalism is about beingBecome a mindful spender  satisfied with what you have, and not buying everything that you want to buy or like, it promotes mindful and sagacious purchasing instincts. Consequently, you spend less, save more, and diversify your investment portfolio by making better use of the saved money. 

You can borrow the same approach. Every time you find yourself wanting something, think multiple times and enter into a debate with yourself. Ask yourself, what value does this product bring in your life? Can you do without this product? Do you want it or need it? How do you think it will affect your budget in the short and long run? 

Ask all these questions, and then make a decision accordingly. Whatever you do, don’t become a spontaneous buyer. Ask yourself questions, and do your research before you swipe your card. 

3.     Live in the moment

Sadly, we are creatures who are never in the present, but somewhere in the past and future. We regret ourHow to Embrace Minimalism without Being a Minimalist decisions, and choices we made, wishing if we could have done things differently; at the same time, we worry about the future, as to what it will bring us if we are going to succeed or fail in life. In short, we never live in the moment, we never concentrate on the experience we are having as of now. 

But with minimalism it’s possible. One of the principles of minimalism is to appreciate what we have, and the moment we are living in. Thus, what we can do from time to time is, stop for a while, look around our surroundings, and take a moment to be grateful for all that we presently have. 

4.     Stay more connected with people

Connection is not a problem for many, but it is for some who are so occupied with the goings of their day, theirStay more connected with people past and present. So, they fail to recognize the people they have currently in their life, the people who value them.

At the same time, many are so engrossed in the materials they own that they forget they have a few relationships that need to be cherished, and people with whom they need to stay in touch. Well, an ideal example is the people who spend all their time on their phones, oblivious that there is someone over coffee with them. 

Now that you realize it, you can embrace minimalism by staying connected with the people who matter. Have a nice conversation with them, take them out for coffee, and breakfast dates, just cherish the bond you have.  

5.     Focus on your health and growth

While minimalism emphasizes the value of moments and experiences, it also values YOU. That being said,Focus on your health and growth minimalism allows you time to focus on yourself. It includes your physical health, mental health, and personality development. 

So even if you are not a minimalist, you can borrow this aspect of minimalism where you worship your body and mind. You treat it like a whole different person, a person who deserves better things, who deserves better care, attention, and love. 

You can do all that by exercising, consuming healthy and nutritious meals, and last but not least by staying away from unnecessary stress, and toxicity of life. In nutshell, it involves doing things that are good for you and eventually makes you a better person in life. 

6.     Realize what’s important and what’s temporary

Sadly, we live in a world that finds happiness, not in people, but in things. I mean, ask yourself, how often has it happened that a brand-new jacket, or perhaps a new phone has made you happy? You were so adamant about buying those things that you ended up ruining your relationships, fought with people you cared about, or did not focus on your relationships because you were too busy swooning over things. 

But just so you know, happiness does not lie in things but in people and memories. If you think it does, that’s just temporary happiness. You can buy a home, but when you don’t have people to share it with, it would stop making you happy. In short, you might get bored with things, but you don’t get bored with people you love. Instead, staying with them makes you happier, and that happiness lasts, my friend.  

Minimalism does just that. It makes you value people, not things. 

Well, that’s it. You can still embrace minimalism without being minimalist. Now that you know how not to miss yielding benefits., It changes lives, and you have to see it for yourself. 

What are your thoughts on the same? Feel free to share your ideas and experiences with us in the comment section.

Why all Work-at-Home Moms Should try Time Blocking

Why all Work-at-Home Moms Should try Time Blocking

With the joys of motherhood, come the challenges. You have to run around the house chasing your toddlers and on top of it the usual chores of the house. Even if you have an older kid, it does not get entirely easier either. The work does get a bit lighter, but not much to make you feel absolutely relieved. So, in a nutshell, motherhood is challenging and time-consuming. There are a million chores and not enough time to get them over with. 

But just as there’s a dark side to everything, there’s a brighter side as well. By the brighter side, I mean the tricks and hacks that can make motherhood manageable and convenient at the same time. 

What I have for you my friend, is the time-blocking trick. To start with the basics, the objective of the time-blocking trick is to schedule and structure your day. It is to divide your day into intervals or sections wherein you focus on one task or multiple tasks of similar nature.  

Having said that, the Time blocking technique (Let’s call it TBT for a while) is packed with benefits. I am going to talk in length about these benefits to give you all the many reasons to use the technique. 

So, let’s begin!

Why all work-at-home moms should use time blocking technique

1.     It keeps you focused

It’s a fact that when you have ample tasks on your to-do list, your attention is bound to be divided. You will dotime blocking trick for moms one thing, and once you are headed towards another one, you would have to wire your brain again to develop different thoughts concerning the new task. Consequently, your focus would get affected, and it may also reveal itself in your output. 

However, when you use TBT and schedule all tasks of similar nature in one slot, you would not have to rewire your brain and thought process. In other words, there will be no break in the chain, and you will continue to perform your best with one chain of thought. 

2.     You have your priorities straight 

Be it in your life, or work, you need to set your priorities straight. As a mother, you have hundreds of things to do in a day. But let’s be honest, you are just a human who can do just enough. In other words, you cannot dotime blocking technique everything and anything. You have to decide what is more important to you, and take them up in a manner in which time allows. The approach makes it easier to know what you need to do first, before doing anything else or doing everything at once.

You can start by evaluating the importance of a task. Ask yourself, can you go by skipping this task for the day, and take it up for the following day? Is it that important? Would the earth come crashing down if you don’t do it for a few days?

Accordingly, set priorities, in fact, make a chart wherein you number the task based on their importance and deadlines. Now what you would have, is the order. (Do not forget that you have to regroup them as well on the nature of their similarity.)

3.     You know when to say no 

The world’s most uncomfortable two-letter word is NO. No one likes to hear it, and it is probably why as mothers,time blocking technique or as individuals, we are afraid to say it. But just so you know, by saying yes all the time, you are just adding up to your burden. Moreover, you are giving an impression to people that you are gullible and easy, which can make them take you for granted later. 

Just remember that your goal must not be to make everyone happy. You cannot; you have to say no and that might hurt the person, but your desires are as important as theirs, and you cannot always undermine them for the sake of others. 

However, even after this motivation, if you find it hard to say no to people, TBT can help you in this very light. It’s simple, when you have grouped your tasks in intervals and sections, and have a schedule ready accordingly; you cannot pick tasks that would ruin the pattern. In this case, there’s no choice but to say NO.  

4.     Fewer distractions 

We could have been our most productive selves only if we had it in ourselves to toughen up against distractions.work from home mom But being vulnerable, lazy, and unfocused, we submit to the distractions and that’s how everything gets sabotaged. 

Well, not anymore. Thanks to TBT because it limits our propensity to get distracted by keeping our line of thoughts aligned. Consequently, we focus and concentrate on what we are doing for a longer time. In addition to that, when we have our priorities straight and know that we have a limited time to get done with the task, we don’t stretch our hand to reach our phone, or whatever it is that distracts us. 

5.     More motivation

When you follow TBT, you have a plan and system, and there’s some kind of satisfaction to work according to our will. This means you are automatically motivated to get done with your goals.

You’re full of enthusiasm, you have that fire to tick–off all the tasks from your To-Do list, you don’t go easy, you don’t feel sluggish; in short, you get done with your tasks without any procrastination.

6.     You no longer try to become a perfectionist 

As they say, perfection is a myth. But even if it’s a reality, it’s not at all sustainable. In other words, you can onlywork from home mom tips do things perfectly just for a while. You are bound to get exhausted and lose stamina sooner or later. 

However, when you are using TBT, your approach is not to be a perfectionist. You know you cannot go on doing all the tasks at once. You are a realist, and hence you continue doing your tasks according to your priorities. 

In a nutshell, your target is not to do everything perfectly, but to do everything you have planned realistically. 

7.     You push yourself

When you follow TBT, you don’t settle for less. You push yourself to meet your daily targets. Even if it gets hard for a moment, you say to yourself, “No, I have time blocks already set, and I cannot go astray. I have to give all I got.”

Consequently, it helps you everywhere in life. You learn to control your mind and emotions and do not let your thoughts dictate you. You know what you want, and you are firm with it. And you don’t let anything, anyone, or your own brain pull you down. Moreover, it helps you see the bigger picture. When you envision yourself meeting your goals, and eventually do it, you realize it was all worth it because it got you results. 

 

We have now reached the end, but before I ask your leave, dear moms here’s a tip – Don’t be hard on yourself, be flexible. If you did not manage to do everything on a certain time block, it is okay! Move to the next set, and come back to the unfinished one later. 

Feel free to share your experiences with everyone in the comment section. I’d love to read them!

First Steps for the Beginner Minimalist

First Steps for the Beginner Minimalist

Minimalism has been the talk of the town lately. Precisely because many people have embraced the principle and now it’s as if their life has completely revolutionized. So, if you are someone who feels that they need to transform their lives, minimalism might be the right pick for you.

However, if you are a beginner who does not know how and where to start, we are here to help. Read on!

First Steps for the Beginner Minimalist

10 first steps for beginner minimalist 

1. Be more kind, donate what you don’t want

When you would know that you are donating things that others need more than you, you will become much moreFirst Steps for the Beginner Minimalist compassionate. You can start with old blankets and clothes that you don’t use anymore. They take more space, and homeless people need them the most.

2. Go discursive – take one room at a time, let broken items provide you a start

We are in the habit of keeping broken things, thinking we would get them repaired. But that does not happen. If you haven’t used those things in a long time, then it’s clear you don’t need them enough. Therefore, pick any room and start looking for broken things to get rid of.

3. Head for cosmetics

We all have those products that we do not use, and those that have been way past expiry dates. Look at all the products in your bathroom, old shampoo bottles, and serums that have gone unused or expired, throw them away. 

4. Look for duplicates

You don’t need two things that look the same or have the same purpose. So, look all around the house, and get rid ofsimplifying your life them. 

5. Head to the closet

Disclaimer, this part is the most time-consuming, and exhausting.

Start with torn, old, and worn-out clothes. It is clear you are not going to get them repaired, nor they can look new, so the best thing to do is throw them away, or better, repurpose them.

Secondly, be honest with yourself and get rid of clothes that you have not worn in years. Your life won’t come to a halt if you throw them away. 

Just ensure that you don’t keep more than 10 pairs of clothes. Once you are done with it, head for accessories.  

6. Separate those that you can sell

Generally, furniture and old gadgets are some of the stuff that can be sold for a good price. So, instead of throwingFirst Steps for the Beginner Minimalist them away, separate them and ensure that you sell them for cash ASAP. 

For the record, furniture takes a lot of space, and too much of it can make your house look compact and suffocating. Hence, when you are practicing minimalism, make sure you don’t keep too many storage spaces. Sell the extra ones. 

7. Fight your urge to shop

Minimalism is not limited to decluttering, but it also involves limiting future expenditure on material things. Therefore, uninstall all shopping apps and don’t go to the mall regularly to buy things. 

8. Borrow clothes

If you are supposed to go to a party, then instead of buying new clothes, consider borrowing them from a friend. You can even consider renting clothes.

 9. Go digital

Minimalist lifestyle tips

First Steps for the Beginner Minimalist

If you happen to have a lot of books in the house, consider lending them to those in need. In addition to that, if you wish to read more books, then think about investing in a kindle. You can store thousands of books in it, and it would never burden your house with storage. 

10. Cut your bills

Minimalism doesn’t limit itself to physical possessions but bills and resources as well. So, in case you have a cable connection, and you don’t use it, consider going for OTT platforms. (You have to be minimalist there too. Don’t get the subscription of all the platforms)

Likewise, try to reduce your energy consumption to cut out unnecessary bills.  

Lastly,

Minimalism demands what other life-changing principles demand – consistency and determination. If you are consistent and determined with this approach, there’s no way your life would not change! So try it ASAP and give it your best shot. Once you get into the groove of it, it’s fairly easy to maintain, and you may even notice such a change to your bank account it will deter you from going away!

Hey there. If you have something to say, we are all ears. Drop your views and suggestions in the comments below.

5 Things You Should know about Minimalism with Kids Before you Start

5 Things You Should know about Minimalism with Kids Before you Start

Everyone is developing a minimalist approach in life. It has been life-changing for many people. If you are reading this article, I take, you too must have yielded the benefits. And now you would want your kids to experience the same.

But before you start, here are few things that you should know. 

5 things you should know about minimalism with kids

 

1. You cannot command minimalism

Kids are not easy to tackle. You cannot give them an order and expect them to follow it in one go. It does not5 things you should know about minimalism with kids work like that. You have to be gentle with them. You must make them realize the benefits of minimalism right from the start, only then you can expect them to incorporate the principle in their life.

But the question is how would you do that? I suggest starting small. For instance, if they are packing their pencil box for school, do not encourage them to keep heavy bunches of pencils. Ask them politely to keep two, and note how easier it gets for them to manage their pencil box. 

2. You have to be a role model

Believe it or not, your children learn more from you than they learn from outside. They imitate your every movement. Meaning, they consciously or unconsciously take note of your habits and behavior.

Thus, when they see you practice minimalism, they might want to try it as well. You can start by creating a minimalist atmosphere, like keeping fewer things in the house. While you are at it, include everyone in the house.

In addition to that, you have to keep your habits in check. For instance, you cannot be an impulsive shopper in front of them because it’s antithetical to the principle of minimalism.

3. You have to be ready for stubbornness

Even after trying all the tricks in the world to convince your kids to incorporate this principle, they would still be5 things you should know about minimalism with kids stubborn. But you have to counter their stubbornness with yours. Meaning, you would have to be equally stubborn. The last thing you want to do is give up. 

I know it will get tough, you would be annoyed, you would be infuriated, but you have to be patient and try your best. You cannot just try for a week or two, and expect them to comply with you. You have to do it from the very beginning when they are in their foundational years. 

Perceive it as a challenge. You have to keep up to it even if it involves going to the very end.

4. You have to play smart

Your kids are innocent and immature, but they are smarter than you. So, you have to be one step ahead of them.minimalist life with kids But the question is how? 

Well, for starters, you have to look for ways that can make minimalism fun for them. For instance, you can use negative motivation by challenging them. Tell them, “I bet you cannot clean your desk.” Or “You know your sister is better at cleaning her desk than you.” 

If the trick works, you will find them decluttering. Perhaps then you can say, “If you would have been minimalistic, you could have done the cleaning sooner.”

Or even better, you can plan a treasure hunt, and include the de-cluttering tasks to reach the final reward.

5. It will take time

Just as I said before, you cannot expect your kids to learn minimalism in just a few weeks. It takes time, maybeteaching kids minimalism weeks, months, or even years. That’s because it takes a change of habits, and most importantly a change of perceptions.

Moreover, minimalism is better to be taught from the very start. Keep a minimalist environment from the beginning, and chances are high that your kids would adopt this lifestyle naturally. 

 

Lastly,

I know that doing things by yourself is one thing, and convincing others to do it is another. It is exhausting and demanding, especially when you have to teach it to your kids. But it is not impossible, you just have to be determined and consistent, and you are good to go.

What are your thoughts on the same? Was this article helpful? Drop your views and suggestions in the comments below. I’d love to read them.

20 Ways to Simplify and Get Your Life Back

20 Ways to Simplify and Get Your Life Back

Most of us are not satisfied with the life we are living. Not because we are ungrateful for things we have, but because we can feel that we are doing something wrong; or we are not living to our potential.

Life is complicated most of the time, but sometimes it’s just not. We just overthink and make it more complicated than it is. But to do away with the complexities of life for a minute, let us focus on what you can do to change it. As they say, you are the writer of your own life, so it’s time for you to get to the action and simplify things to live a productive and healthy life. 

20 ways to simplify and get your life back

1. Focus on actions

When you have too many tasks to do, what do you do at first? Tell me if it’s not worrying for hours. Scrap this20 Ways to Simplify and Get Your Life Back approach which only wastes your time and adds to stress. Instead, keep your focus only and only on actions, nothing else – no stress, no thoughts, just actions. 

 2. Make a to-do list

 Life gets better when you make a to-do list. You become systematic and focus on actions. 

3. Get rid of your bad habits

I don’t need to tell you that your bad habits are harmful to your livelihood and your health as well. Getting rid of them is necessary to start a constructive life. 

4. Work on the personality traits that limit you

Lack confidence? Have anger issues? Both can prevent you from achieving growth and success. It’s high time you work on them. 

5. Stop procrastinating

Just so you know, procrastinating does you no good. It just gives you a moment of peace, to only stress later. 

6. Avoid distractions

Binge-watching Netflix all day, scrolling Instagram for hours, etc is a sheer waste of time when you can do somethingtips for a productive life fruitful.

7. Practice gratitude

 Being grateful for things you have will make you feel blessed and happier in life. 

8. Read books

Books are your best friend. They increase your knowledge and develop critical thinking. If you don’t have anything to do, then reading books is the most productive way of utilizing time. 

9. Eat healthily

 Scrap junk, your body needs healthy and nutritious food to perform its best. 

10. Organize

 Believe me or not, a little organization can save you time and make your life easier. 

11. Clean as you go

Morning rush can radically impact our cleaning goals. Instead of throwing away your things in bed, take a few minutes to keep things in their place. 

12. Create routines

Trying hard to get back your life on track but failing every time? I bet you are not following a productive and healthyHow to simplify your life routine then!

13. Create budgets and keep a track of your expenses

You cannot afford to be financially irresponsible. Your future depends on your finances, thus having a financial consciousness is mandatory. 

14. Control your shopping instincts

The key to saving is suppressing your shopping instincts. You can do so by differentiating between things you want and things you need. 

15. Be an optimist

Wonder why you complicate life? Perhaps by being negative all the time. Your goal must be optimism. You would be able to focus on solutions, rather than worrying about your problems. 

16. Exercise

In between work and life, your body matters too. Indulging in regular exercises will keep you fit, and you will be more energetic throughout the day. 

17. Learn to say no

It’s important to speak your mind. If you keep saying yes to everyone and everything, you will be exploited and taken for granted. 

18. Balance personal life and professional life

Just a friendly reminder, your relationships matter too. 

19. Make goals

 Want to know the secret to success? Setting goals and striving hard to meet them.

20. Learn new skills

It’s for your own personal development and not to forget, for decorating your resume. 

 

Before saying goodbye

When you have decided to change your life, and figure out how-to part. The next important thing is consistency. Work as if these habits are to change your lifestyle and not to meet your short-term goals. You can do it! 

Let me know how it works out for you in the comment section.