Date nights can be wild adventures. But not all couples approach dating like Bear Grylls—willing to travel across mountain ranges and eat exotic bugs for the thrill of it. For some couples, date nights may become boring.
The excitement, sparks, and chemistry that many couples experience often fade over time, especially if they don’t do something about it. It’s easy to get “stuck in a rut.”
Lavish nights out on the town and deep, meaningful conversations may slowly turn into predictable dates at the Costco food court and brief chats about which items to buy in bulk. (I should note that there's nothing wrong with Costco dates. You can't beat the price of that $1.50 hotdog and soda combo.)
But if dating becomes bland, routine, or predictable, then couples may feel bored with their relationship and miss the passion they once felt.
When couples first start dating, it’s common to always want to be together emotionally and sexually. Each late-night conversation and fun, new experience that a couple shares can expand a partner’s sense of self. People’s self-concept grows, or expands, every time they learn something new, pick up a new skill or hobby, or share a novel experience with a romantic partner.
Its not surprising that passion tends to be highest when couples are in the early, exciting stages of their relationship. But passion can decay over time.
Exciting dates are subjective. One person’s idea of a fun night out may not be fun for someone else. So, to spice up your next date night, take your partner’s perspective and try something new that you think might appeal to them. The latest research in psychology suggests it may pay off in the long run.
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