Romance fades. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re doomed to a life of the doldrums after the honeymoon phase has worn off. Instead, it means that you need to reinvent your meaning of romance. More importantly, it means getting on the same page as your partner about what romance looks like as your marriage grows. Couples counseling can provide you with a terrific space for figuring that out.
From Romance to Roommates and Back Again
Most relationships follow a common arc in that they start hot and heavy and then fade into something less lusty but steadier. However, if you’re not careful, the romance can slip so far away that it starts to feel like you’re just roommates. When that happens, one or both of you are likely to become dissatisfied.
Unfortunately, you can’t go back to before when you barely knew each other. You can finish each other’s sentences. You know exactly how to push each other’s buttons. And you can’t stop engaging in the mundane details of everyday life. However, you can still get the romance back. It just looks a little different than when you first met. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it gives you the opportunity to get creative, which can be wonderful.
Is There a Problem?
Sometimes romance fades just because of circumstance. You have a few children, you get busy with your careers, you deal with illness … and the romance just kind of slips away. However, sometimes a lack of romance is a sign of an underlying issue in the relationship. Couples counseling can help you come together to communicate about exactly what’s going on. You can figure out if there’s a bigger problem at play, and if so, how you want to address it.
For example, sometimes a lack of romance is due to a series of built-up resentments that you’ve failed to deal with over time. Couples therapy can help you air those resentments, communicate about them in a healthy way, and find methods of moving forward. Once you feel more connected again, the romance issue might resolve itself. If not, couples counseling can help with that too.
Rekindle the Spark in Your Relationship
Couples therapy can also simply serve as a catalyst to rekindle romance. Simply setting aside one hour per week to talk about your relationship is a strong show of commitment. While in therapy, you can communicate about ideas that you might have to rekindle romance. Sometimes you’re shy or afraid about doing that on your own but become empowered to do so in the therapy office.
Your therapist might also offer counseling exercises, therapeutic homework, or simply suggestions for how to find ways to rekindle romance at home. You might learn new techniques for practicing mindfulness in the relationship. You might set goals that help you get romance back on track. Alternatively, you might just find that you’re more committed to date nights and weekend getaways since you feel a bit accountable for reporting back to your therapist.
Rekindling romance can be as simple as adding more handholding and deep kisses to your daily life. Or it can be much more in-depth and creative. The trick is to start somewhere. Couples counseling can help you both start on the same page.
Kathryn McNeer, LPC specializes in Couples Counseling Dallas with her sound, practical and sincere advice. Kathryn’s areas of focus include individual counseling, relationship and couples counseling Dallas. Kathryn has helped countless individuals find their way through life’s inevitable transitions; especially that tricky patch of life known as “the mid life crisis.” Kathryn’s solution-focused, no- nonsense counseling works wonders for men and women in the midst of feeling, “stuck,” or “unhappy.” Kathryn believes her fresh perspective allows her clients find the better days that are ahead. When working with couples, it is Kathryn’s direct yet non-judgmental approach that helps determine which patterns are holding them back and then helps them establish new, more productive patterns. Kathryn draws from Gottman and Cognitive behavioral therapy. When appropriate Kathryn works with couples on trust, intimacy, forgiveness, and communication.