No relationship is completely easy and painless. When you make a choice to be with someone, you are also choosing to work through arguments with them, learn to understand their past traumas, and support them through whatever life challenges may arise.
Sometimes (like this year) a huge challenge that affects our entire population presents itself. That can put a major strain on a relationship because there is nowhere to go to escape the issue—it's happening everywhere to everyone.
You and your partner may have had to set up temporary home offices and learn how to share the space when each of you needed to take a call. You may have had to each rearrange your schedules to take care of kids that would normally be at school or with a nanny. Add on any regular stress from your normal life events, and that's a lot to manage!
Now that we have passed the halfway point in this year, take some time to appreciate everything you and your partner have been through together in the last six months. Sometimes, when we're in survival mode, we stay so focused on the next task and forget to find gratitude. Reflect on all of the ways they have supported you or made a sacrifice for you, and make sure you tell them how much those efforts meant to you. They probably need the encouragement right now more than ever.
To make it fun, I've found some free printables that you can use!
