I’m so busy, I don’t have the time or energy to plan a date.
Perhaps you saw the title of this blog post and thought, “Sheesh, I don’t have time to do yet another thing.” Or “Why do I need to date my partner? We are used to each other. That is good enough.” Or maybe things are not so great in your relationship and you feel too resentful to want to do something sweet with your partner. For some couples, the idea of having more one on one time together when you are not getting along is not appealing. It’s kind of a chicken and egg thing. How do you improve your relationship if you don’t spend quality time together, but also, how do you want to spend quality time together if all you seem to do is fight when you’re together? If any of those things sound like you, I strongly recommend that you talk to a Houston marriage counseling or couples therapist. Our caring Texas marriage therapists can help you repair your relationship and feel good about each other again.
Learn to foster love in the midst of the busyness
If you are ready to make your relationship fun again, I recommend you have weekly date nights. In a world filled with hectic schedules, endless commitments, and/or children or parents you are caregiving for, finding time for quality bonding with your partner can be a challenge. Trust me, I understand feeling overwhelmed and busy with everything you have to do already. Sometimes finding the time to go out or the hardship of finding a babysitter keeps couples from going on dates. However, staying at home doesn't mean you can't create memorable experiences together. In fact, it presents a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection and strengthen your relationship. As a couples therapist in Houston, TX, I understand the importance of fostering love and intimacy. That's why I'm excited to share 10 delightful and fun stay-at-home date ideas that will help you reignite the spark and create lasting memories with your significant other.
Stay-at-home date ideas:
Culinary Adventures:
Embark on a culinary journey by cooking a special meal together. Experiment with new recipes, set the table elegantly with the good china and savor the joy of creating something delicious as a team. Don't forget to turn on some chill music and share intimate conversations over a candlelit dinner. If you want to get away from your kids, you can set up dinner as a picnic in your bedroom. To add to this experience, you can also start the date with a trip to an ethnic grocery store like the ones in Houston’s Chinatown or The Mahatma Gandhi District for South Asian food. It feels like an adventure to walk down those aisles and discover new ingredients.
Movie Night with a Twist:
Transform your living room into a cozy home theater. Pick a theme or a movie series and snuggle up with blankets and pillows. Enhance the experience with freshly made popcorn, homemade snacks, and your favorite beverages. Take turns choosing movies to make it even more fun for both partners. If you want to make it extra, you can even decorate in the theme of the movie or genre.
Youtube night:
Similar to a movie night, except you pick excerpts on youtube that are fun or funny to watch. I like to watch comedies because laughter is good for the soul. I also sometimes like to watch concerts of bands that me or my partner like all the way through. It is a good way to get to know more about your partner’s interests
Trip planning:
Not everyone loves to travel as much as I do, but if you do, watching travel shows together can be really fun. I light up thinking about new places that I want to go with my partner. We take turns picking locations and find great food or travel shows that get us dreaming. Even if you never leave your couch, it’s fun to dream and plan. You can keep a running life list of all of the places you want to go together.
Indoor Picnic:
Bring the charm of a picnic indoors by laying out a picnic blanket, packing a basket full of tasty treats, and enjoying a leisurely meal together. Create a serene ambiance with fairy lights, gentle music, and perhaps even a romantic candle centerpiece.
Game Night Extravaganza:
Rediscover the joy of playing games with your partner. Whether it's classic board games, card games, or even video games, the competitive spirit can ignite laughter and friendly banter. Choose games that encourage teamwork and cooperation for an added bonding experience. Though, if you are extra competitive, remember to play nice.
Spa Retreat:
Indulge in a luxurious spa experience without leaving the comfort of your home. Set up a serene space with scented candles, soothing music, and aromatic oils. Take turns giving each other massages, facials, or relaxing baths. Not only will this date idea foster relaxation, but it will also create an intimate atmosphere for open communication. You could even give your partner a facial. Getting a deep tissue massage may help if you have tired hands and want to give your partner a great massage. Make sure to use massage oil. Once you are touching, you are already a good part of the way to a HOT date.
Create Art Together:
Unleash your creative side and embark on an artistic adventure. Whether it's painting, drawing, pottery, or crafting, engage in a shared activity that allows self-expression. Collaborate on a joint masterpiece or work on individual projects side by side, encouraging each other's artistic endeavors. You don’t have to be good at art to do this. This is just for fun. Learning to play like you did when you were a kid can make you feel that same sense of wonder and joy. Don’t worry about the quality of the finished product.
Starlit Stargazing:
Head out to your backyard or balcony for a romantic stargazing session. Lay out blankets, bring cozy pillows, and enjoy the beauty of the night sky together. Use stargazing apps to identify constellations, share stories, and dream about your future aspirations.
Romantic Dance Party:
Clear out some space in your living room, create a romantic playlist, and dance the night away with your partner. Let the music guide your movements and embrace the joy of physical connection. Dancing together can be a beautiful way to foster trust, enhance communication, and create cherished memories. It can also be fun to turn up the music loud, sing along, and let loose! The endorphins released when you have physical play with your partner signals to your brain that your partner is someone fun and exciting for you to be with.
Memory Lane:
Take a trip down memory lane by revisiting old photo albums, letters, or videos that capture your journey as a couple. Reminisce about your early days, favorite memories, and the challenges you've overcome together. This reflective exercise can strengthen your bond and remind you of the love you share. You get big memory dividends from looking at old pictures, videos, and letters/emails. It can help you remember why you chose your partner in the first place and rekindle the flame.
Cozy Reading Date:
Choose a book or a series you both enjoy and spend the evening engrossed in its pages. Cozy up together with blankets and hot beverages as you immerse yourselves in the world of literature. Take turns reading aloud or have silent reading time, allowing for moments of peace and shared interests. Some couples also enjoy reading erotic fiction to one another. This can be especially helpful if you are trying to rekindle the intimacy spark.
Good relationships take work. Period. There are no shortcuts to staying in love and feeling good about your partner. That doesn’t mean it has to be a drag. This isn’t math class. But there is homework involved if you want your relationship to stay interesting, loving, and connected. I recommend having one night a week that is devoted just to your partner. This is not the time to talk about the to-do’s, or what is happening with your kids. This is time for fun! Learn to play again like you did when you first started dating. It’s worth the work. You might be surprised how much fun you have doing this.
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If you are struggling in your relationship or feel like your relationship is on the rocks, and would like to talk to a Houston marriage therapist or couples therapist, contact us online to schedule an appointment. Know that you don’t have to go through this alone!