One of my privileges in getting certified as a relationship coach was to be part of the Thriving Relationship Community. Our mentors, Bret and Christine, send out occasional prompts to get us thinking. I'm passing one of them on to you. These are 10 questions to consider during a date night, dinner conversation, leisurely walk, or a moment when you want to invest a little more into your love tanks. Here they are.
1. Communication:
How can I improve communication with my partner?
What are effective ways to express my needs and listen to theirs?
How can I talk in a different way that makes it easier for my partner to hear me and understand what I'm trying to say?
How can I listen in a new way that makes it more likely my partner will open up to me and share more of themselves?
How can we communicate about those delicate and emotionally-charged topics in ways that don't lead to an argument?
2. Conflict Resolution:
How can we resolve conflict in a healthier way?
What strategies can we use to avoid unnecessary arguments?
How can we better repair from those inevitable challenges and conflicts so they don't build resentment or pull us apart -- and so we actually learn and grow from them?
3. Intimacy:
How can we keep the romance alive in our relationship?
What are some ways to improve emotional intimacy?
Is it possible to fall back in love? If so, where do we start?
What do we do if we have differing desires for physical intimacy?
4. Trust:
How can we rebuild trust?
What steps can we take to maintain trust in a relationship?
5. Compatibility:
How do we navigate differences in values, preferences, personalities, or life goals?
What do we do if we're on different pages about things like finances, parenting, where to live, health, our social life, household chores, etc.?
6. Personal Growth:
How can we support each other's personal growth within the relationship?
What role does self-improvement play in a healthy partnership?
I feel like my partner would really benefit from doing some personal healing and growth. How do I bring it up to them and help them get support in a way they'll receive?
7. Family and Friends:
How do we manage relationships with each other's families and friends?
What boundaries should we set when it comes to external influences?
8. Time Management:
How can we balance work, personal time, and our relationship?
What are effective ways to prioritize each other in a busy schedule?
9. Future Planning:
How can we align our future goals and plans?
What discussions should we have about our long-term commitment?
How can we ensure we both feel fulfilled and inspired about our relationship and where we're headed?
10. Self-Care:
How do we prioritize self-care while maintaining a strong relationship?
What role does individual well-being play in the health of a partnership?
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Of course, these are just general ideas, and you get to tailor your questions to your specific circumstances and concerns.
Now that you have these questions, here are some options for what you can do...
1 - Use them as conversation starters with each other.
2 - Do some journaling around them.
3 - If you have any of these questions and don't feel like you have satisfying answers, chances are, your relationship would greatly benefit from some expert guidance and support -- and you'll be amazed by how positively and quickly things can start to improve once you have it.
If you've had the chance to ponder these and realize that perhaps a few coaching sessions might help you with your traction, then feel free to book a call and get yourself back on track.
