Looks

Unique Ways To Appreciate Your Spouse

• September 9, 2019
• by Natasha Burton

It’s safe to say that all of us appreciate our other halves, but most of us tend to keep a lot of that intense love, admiration and gratitude to ourselves. Rather than keep it all inside, remember to show this appreciation as often as you can so that your spouse never has to doubt just how much they matter to you.

Showing how much your spouse means to you isn’t hard—you just have to get into the habit of doing it. Here are five ways to get started that you may not have thought of yet.

Show Gratitude Every Day
Yes, you read that right: Every. Single. Day. While a random sweet card, a note stuffed in a work bag or a post-it on the bathroom mirror does show your spouse that you appreciate them, it’s worth getting into the habit of expressing our appreciation each and every day. Trust me, they won’t tire of hearing how much they mean to you. And, of course, they’ll be happy to return the sentiments as well. Our friends at The Knot also recommend showing daily gratitude as a recipe for a healthy relationship.

Praise Them to Anyone Who Will Listen
It’s one thing to tell your spouse how awesome they are. But when you take your gratitude on the road, so to speak, and tell other people how awesome your spouse is, it’s quite another. Instead of commiserating with your friends when they start nitpicking their own partners, stay mum or share something positive about yours. (Yes, it may feel awkward at first.) The next time you’re with family, tell a story about the amazing thing your spouse did this week at home or at work. In front of your kids, be sure to always let them know what a rockstar your spouse is. Sharing your high opinion of your spouse will make them feel extra worthy of all the attention.

Surprise Them with Dinner In
While we all love a home-cooked meal, no one wants to deal with those dishes afterward. The next time you want to give yourselves a well-deserved break from cooking, surprise your other half by ordering in from your favorite local restaurant. (This is especially romantic for those with kids since getting a sitter can be a challenge.) You’ll get to eat delicious food you love—that someone else cooked—and you can enjoy the rest of the evening without the cleanup. These days, services like UberEats, DoorDash and Postmates make it surprisingly easy—and fairly affordable—to get high-quality meals delivered right to your door.

Be Their Best Friend
You and your spouse likely have so much going on, with work, family, kids, pets—you name it—that you may lose sight of the fact that you really love just hanging out together. Make time to be together without talking about the bills you have to pay, the vet appointment you need to schedule for your dog and so on. Do something together that interests you both, whether it’s taking a hike or a yoga class or going to a sports bar and rooting for your favorite team. Show how important it is for you two to spend time together as people who care about each other—and who still love to have fun together, too.

Leave Work Stress at Work
Of course, spouses should be there for each other when major work events happen, like getting passed over for a promotion or dealing with a toxic office environment. It’s important for you to check in with your spouse about what may be stressing them out and provide a listening ear—and vice versa. But a major way you can show your other half that you appreciate them is to give them your full attention when you’re at home. Leave your phone by the door and have time together that’s not interrupted by work emails. Talk about things other than your boss and your annoying coworker. Make sure you’re not grabbing your phone to check in with work the moment you wake up. Work is important—it’s your livelihood and it gives you a sense of pride—but don’t forget what you’re working for: A comfortable life with the one you love.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Natasha Burton

Relationship expert Natasha Burton is the author of four books: 101 Quizzes for Brides & Grooms, 101 Quizzes for Couples, 101 Quizzes for BFFs, and The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags. When she's not writing, she's likely doing yoga, baking, or watching The Bachelor.

Latest posts by Natasha Burton (see all)

• A 2020 Couples’ Guide To Summer Romance - July 8, 2020
• How To Celebrate A Socially Distant Anniversary - May 28, 2020
• Ideas For Wedding Planning During Quarantine - May 13, 2020