9 New Year's Resolutions to Grow as a Couple

If you and your partner want to start off the New Year on the right foot, don't miss the following list of resolutions that will help to strengthen your relationship.

Written and verified by the philosopher Maria Alejandra Morgado Cusati.

Last update: 25 July, 2022

The arrival of a new year is the perfect time to reevaluate personal goals and to consider alternatives. Additionally, it’s a great opportunity to think about your relationships and how to strengthen them. With this in mind, if you’re in a romantic relationship, it’s important that you both lay out New Year’s resolutions to grow as a couple.

That’s why we’ve created a list of ideas that will help you to nurture your relationship all year long. For this to work, it’s important that both partners choose how they want to strengthen the bond, and that they commit to following through.

1. Visit new places together

Traveling and getting to know new places is always a great plan for couples since it allows them to get out of their routine and share life experiences together. In effect, this will renew their bond and will help them to identify ways to enjoy themselves together.

This resolution includes trips to other cities or countries, as well as venturing out to experience local destinations like parks, restaurants, or beaches that you haven’t yet visited.

2. Learn skills together

Identify which skills you’d both like to develop, and try learning them together. Examples include drawing classes, dancing classes, or cooking classes. Ideally, you’ll choose an activity that interests both of you, so that you can have fun learning while enjoying each other’s company. Sharing common interests will strengthen your bond and promote trust.

3. Pick up healthy habits as a couple

Fostering well-being and personal health is a resolution that you should always have in mind. So, why not do it as a couple? Having a partner to establish healthy routines with is useful for staying motivated and not giving up. Some suggestions include starting a diet, signing up for a gym membership, or going jogging together.

There are numerous benefits. You and your partner can stay in shape, provide mutual support (especially when you feel like quitting), and share time and experiences. Without a doubt, it’s a great plan to adopt for this new year.

4. Participate in fun activities

In his book “Preventing Conflicts for Couples,” psychologist and psychiatrist José Díaz Morfa advises couples to find opportunities to laugh together.

Sure enough, these moments are necessary for avoiding strain or boredom in relationships. With that being said, a great New Year’s resolution for growing as a couple is to regularly create opportunities for fun times and humor.

5. Support each other’s personal growth

Most of us set out personal New Year’s resolutions, such as getting a promotion, graduating, beginning a professional project, or losing weight. In these cases, partners can become a source of unconditional support for each other, which is helpful when facing challenges or difficulties.

By resolving to provide mutual support in accomplishing personal goals, the trust that partners feel for each other will be strengthened.

6. Increase and foster effective communication

Happy couples declare that the secret to a healthy relationship is practicing clear communication, characterized by honest dialogue, understanding, and the ability of partners to put themselves in each other’s shoes to reach agreements.

Additionally, these couples’ success is rooted in respect, which is shown through listening, controlling anger, tolerating differences, and accepting different points of view.

Working on communication is a resolution that should always be kept in mind, every year. Good communication helps couples to deal with and resolve conflicts. It’s also a good tool for promoting intimacy since it allows partners to express their thoughts and feelings.

7. Always consider the details

The details aren’t just about giving and receiving gifts. They also include all those actions that might seem insignificant but are rewarding to both of you. These include displays of affection through words, caresses, or gestures.

However, the source of gratification is very particular. That’s why you should ask yourself what things make your partner happy, and surprise them with those details. This applies to both special occasions and ordinary days.

According to Juan Ortega, the importance of these details lies in their ability to strengthen the bond, even in times of crisis. With that said, this is another New Year’s resolution that you should always keep in mind and renew every year.

8. Care for something

Another way to reinforce the bond with your partner is by taking care of another living thing, like a plant or a pet. The sense of responsibility towards a third party can strengthen your relationship, as long as both partners feel committed to the cause.

9. Rekindle the passion

Sexuality is a key aspect for all couples since sexual satisfaction plays an important role in intimacy and strengthening your bond. Keeping this in mind, couples should reinvigorate their sexual experiences from time to time.

They can do this by trying new positions or having experiences in new places (like a hotel). Couples can also try buying new lingerie or erotic toys. This will allow them to rekindle their desire and will allow them to learn new ways to enjoy each other.

One way to go about implementing this resolution is to make a list of all the intimate experiences the couple wants to try, and agree to do them once or twice a month for the entire year. You’re likely to both discover new pleasures you weren’t aware of.

It’s always the right time to grow as a couple

While the start of a new year is a time to renew the goals of your relationship, it’s not the only time of year to make an effort to grow as a couple. It’s always the right time to set new goals and to start fresh. Additionally, during times of crisis, the above list can be a big help in rekindling and strengthening your bond with your partner.