Dating ideas to keep things fresh.
indoor dating is the new thing...
I was recently asked to contribute to Women's Health on indoor dating ideas - a particularly important topic since the pandemic times developed. Here were some of my deep thoughts on the topic expanding on what is quoted in the article! I hope it helps some couples looking to rekindle their relationship in a different way!
-Why are date nights important?
Very important topic to discuss. It is less about the specifics of what you do on date night but rather just actually making date nights a priority. Why? Well, this communities to your partner that you care and you are prioritizing your relationship. It is so easy to get caught in the rut of the same ol', same ol' and this can lead to a fizzling of the passion you once had. I also understand how difficult it can be to prioritize your relationship when everything else feels like a priority too - the kids, work, and even sleep! It's very easy to push the relationship to the side and that is how we unfortunately can grow apart over time.
-How can you make indoor date nights romantic?
Anything can be a great indoor date! A bottle of wine and a beautiful dinner at the dinner table (not while sitting on the couch!). I have heard of others actually doing indoor picnics or just something simple like a movie date. I think the key is that is does not need to be over-the-top. It is about setting aside that time for your partner and only your partner. So, set the kids up with a babysitter and put your computer aside and silence the phone. Take a couple of hours for just you and your partner. That is romantic. Maybe think about what used to come naturally to you at the beginning of your relationship and do that. What did you used to do to make the person feel special? Candles? Flowers? A lovely card? All of those things go a long way.
-What are some indoor date ideas that people in relationships can try?
Game night - This is a fantastic option for the couple that needs to have some fun and connect with others. There's nothing like grabbing a silly game and sitting around the table with some fun snacks and just letting go. Often people start getting in touch with their 'inner child,' and the laughter can become contagious. I recently did this with my friends and forgot how fun an experience like that was. What is also great about this is that it allows anyone who might have some social anxiety to have an opportunity for a distraction instead of the focus solely being on conversation.
make a scrapbook - This is a great idea! When you start taking out the old photo albums, digital or print, it is amazing what happens to the brain. You start going down memory lane and you might remember times of fun and experiences you had completely forgotten about. This can be magical for a couple who has forgotten that about how many experiences they've had together. Perhaps it can lead them to thinking about what they want to do next!
breakfast in bed - This idea really stood out to me because I specifically remember how my dad would do this for my mom when we were young kids. It made her feel so special and I can still remember that to this day. There's something about getting up extra early when you don't have to in order to prepare a special meal for someone that really screams 'I love you.' I think it also shows that you want your partner to have self-care time that is all about them. It is a very thoughtful thing to do.
Final points on indoor dating
As noted above, if romance is needed, put the technology away and cook a nice dinner, set the candles and turn off the television. Ask one another questions you used to ask when you wanted to get to know someone. And most importantly - listen and be present. It does not take a lot of money to be romantic. You can do it on any budget - most of the time what creates romance is mindfully tuning into the other person and being present. In our culture, we often are present in body but not mind. Give it a go once a week or once a month and see what happens to your experience of your partner!
