5 Ways To Get Closer With Your Loved Ones
"Let us be grateful to those who make us happy; they are charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." — Marcel Proust
It is natural to feel like you are drifting away from your loved ones.
If life has slowed its pace, it can be hard to remember those around you may be trying to make ends meet. Admittedly, it can feel like they never want to spend time with you.
But is that actually true? When you stop and look at their world, is it that they don't care... or rather, is it they barely have a second to breathe?
Try to remove yourself from the outcome and observe your loved ones. You may notice your best friend is busy helping out her kids. Perhaps your children are stuck in demanding jobs and balancing their kids' sports, activities, homework, and therapy sessions.
Or you may even see that, more often than not, your teenage grandkid struggles to get in dinner before 9 pm. The circles under her eyes are getting darker by the day from the stress of studying.
This is where you can take the love you have and use it to your advantage!
By focusing on these five tips, you can build your relationship, and help your family and friends out.
End result? Fulfilled, stronger relationships, new memories, and gratitude for understanding the demands of being human.
If you long to improve your relationship with loved ones but need help getting started, test out these suggestions. Then, watch as new experiences pour in.
"Let us be grateful to those who make us happy; they are charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." — Marcel Proust
It is natural to feel like you are drifting away from your loved ones.
If life has slowed its pace, it can be hard to remember those around you may be trying to make ends meet. Admittedly, it can feel like they never want to spend time with you.
But is that actually true? When you stop and look at their world, is it that they don't care... or rather, is it they barely have a second to breathe?
Try to remove yourself from the outcome and observe your loved ones. You may notice your best friend is busy helping out her kids. Perhaps your children are stuck in demanding jobs and balancing their kids' sports, activities, homework, and therapy sessions.
Or you may even see that, more often than not, your teenage grandkid struggles to get in dinner before 9 pm. The circles under her eyes are getting darker by the day from the stress of studying.
This is where you can take the love you have and use it to your advantage!
By focusing on these five tips, you can build your relationship, and help your family and friends out.
End result? Fulfilled, stronger relationships, new memories, and gratitude for understanding the demands of being human.
If you long to improve your relationship with loved ones but need help getting started, test out these suggestions. Then, watch as new experiences pour in.
"Let us be grateful to those who make us happy; they are charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." — Marcel Proust
It is natural to feel like you are drifting away from your loved ones.
If life has slowed its pace, it can be hard to remember those around you may be trying to make ends meet. Admittedly, it can feel like they never want to spend time with you.
But is that actually true? When you stop and look at their world, is it that they don't care... or rather, is it they barely have a second to breathe?
Try to remove yourself from the outcome and observe your loved ones. You may notice your best friend is busy helping out her kids. Perhaps your children are stuck in demanding jobs and balancing their kids' sports, activities, homework, and therapy sessions.
Or you may even see that, more often than not, your teenage grandkid struggles to get in dinner before 9 pm. The circles under her eyes are getting darker by the day from the stress of studying.
This is where you can take the love you have and use it to your advantage!
By focusing on these five tips, you can build your relationship, and help your family and friends out.
End result? Fulfilled, stronger relationships, new memories, and gratitude for understanding the demands of being human.
If you long to improve your relationship with loved ones but need help getting started, test out these suggestions. Then, watch as new experiences pour in.
1. Love what they Love
Do you remember how it felt when you drew a picture and proudly showed your mom? She likely fawned over it and then hung it on the refrigerator, displaying it for the world to see.
It felt pretty incredible. Be that person for the people you love the most. And it doesn't have to be with refrigerator art.
Take an active interest in what the people you care about love.
1. Love what they Love
Do you remember how it felt when you drew a picture and proudly showed your mom?
She likely fawned over it and then hung it on the refrigerator, displaying it for the world to see. It felt pretty incredible.
1. Love what they Love
Do you remember how it felt when you drew a picture and proudly showed your mom? She likely fawned over it and then hung it on the refrigerator, displaying it for the world to see.
It felt pretty incredible. Be that person for the people you love the most. And it doesn't have to be with refrigerator art.
Take an active interest in what the people you care about love. Does your partner enjoy a game of pickleball or kayaking?
Why not join them sometime? You don't have to be a world champ to hold a paddle; it shows you want to be a part of their world.
What about your kids? Does your daughter love to paint but can't find the time to pick up the brush? Suggest that the two of you take a painting class and steal away two hours with her.
How about your grandkids? Are they busy with soccer, volleyball, swimming, and ballet? Why not pull up an umbrella, throw on some sunscreen, and join a game? Then, take them out for ice cream after.
Even if it isn't physically going somewhere with them, theme gifts around their interests. If it's their birthday and they add Red Hot to everything, get them a kit to make their own hot sauce or a Sriracha-themed birthday card.
Showing an active interest in the things they love lets them feel like you understand them and, in turn, grows a bond.
Who knows, you may even find yourself a new hobby!
Be that person for the people you love the most. And it doesn't have to be with refrigerator art.
Take an active interest in what the people you care about love. Does your partner enjoy a game of pickleball or kayaking? Why not join them sometime? You don't have to be a world champ to hold a paddle; it shows you want to be a part of their world.
What about your kids? Does your daughter love to paint but can't find the time to pick up the brush? Suggest that the two of you take a painting class and steal away two hours with her.
How about your grandkids? Are they busy with soccer, volleyball, swimming, and ballet? Why not pull up an umbrella, throw on some sunscreen, and join a game? Then, take them out for ice cream after.
Even if it isn't physically going somewhere with them, theme gifts around their interests. If it's their birthday and they add Red Hot to everything, get them a kit to make their own hot sauce or a Sriracha-themed birthday card.
Showing an active interest in the things they love lets them feel like you understand them and, in turn, grows a bond.
Who knows, you may even find yourself a new hobby!
Does your partner enjoy a game of pickleball or kayaking? Why not join them sometime? You don't have to be a world champ to hold a paddle; it shows you want to be a part of their world.
What about your kids? Does your daughter love to paint but can't find the time to pick up the brush? Suggest that the two of you take a painting class and steal away two hours with her.
How about your grandkids? Are they busy with soccer, volleyball, swimming, and ballet? Why not pull up an umbrella, throw on some sunscreen, and join a game? Then, take them out for ice cream after.
Even if it isn't physically going somewhere with them, theme gifts around their interests. If it's their birthday and they add Red Hot to everything, get them a kit to make their own hot sauce or a Sriracha-themed birthday card.
Showing an active interest in the things they love lets them feel like you understand them and, in turn, grows a bond.
Who knows, you may even find yourself a new hobby!
2. Schedule a time
Want to know the secret of 2023: everyone is busy.
Gone are the days of going nowhere – the world has opened back up and collectively is flying by the seat of its pants.
But if there is anything we learned over the last few years, it is people matter.
Taking even a few minutes to tell someone you are thinking of them can make all the difference.
If your family is busy, set up weekly phone calls.
Perhaps you can't make a physical family dinner; instead, you can pull up Zoom and have a thirty-minute chat.
Your daughter may drive to work each morning. What if you gave her a ring and drank your coffee, chatting with her on her way to work?
Setting up scheduled calls keeps you posted about each other's lives and gives insight into what keeps them preoccupied.
2. Schedule a time
Want to know the secret of 2023: everyone is busy.
Gone are the days of going nowhere – the world has opened back up and collectively is flying by the seat of its pants.
2. Schedule a time
Want to know the secret of 2023: everyone is busy.
Gone are the days of going nowhere – the world has opened back up and collectively is flying by the seat of its pants.
But if there is anything we learned over the last few years, it is people matter.
Taking even a few minutes to tell someone you are thinking of them can make all the difference.
If your family is busy, set up weekly phone calls.
Perhaps you can't make a physical family dinner; instead, you can pull up Zoom and have a thirty-minute chat.
Your daughter may drive to work each morning. What if you gave her a ring and drank your coffee, chatting with her on her way to work?
Setting up scheduled calls keeps you posted about each other's lives and gives insight into what keeps them preoccupied.
But if there is anything we learned over the last few years, it is people matter. Taking even a few minutes to tell someone you are thinking of them can make all the difference.
If your family is busy, set up weekly phone calls.
Perhaps you can't make a physical family dinner; instead, you can pull up Zoom and have a thirty-minute chat.
Your daughter may drive to work each morning. What if you gave her a ring and drank your coffee, chatting with her on her way to work?
Setting up scheduled calls keeps you posted about each other's lives and gives insight into what keeps them preoccupied.
3. Plan it out
Once, when my friend was going through her early parenting stages, I was working three jobs. She proclaimed meeting with me was like planning a doctor's appointment.
I only had so much time for her.
She wasn't wrong, but I was struggling to put food on the table and purchase expensive formula for my kiddo.
And through it, I was doing my best not to have a breakdown.
Chances are, you have a loved one going through their own version that I was. They don't intend to ignore you… they are doing their best to keep moving forward with the items pulling them.
Take some pressure off both of you and plan an outing. It could be for an hour over lunch or shopping trips. You could even try for a vacation!
Whatever it is, find out when your loved one has time, and tell them you'll take care of the details based on whatever time they can give you (and, of course, budget). Then, plan something you both will enjoy! Hello, memories!
3. Plan it out
Once, when my friend was going through her early parenting stages, I was working three jobs. She proclaimed meeting with me was like planning a doctor's appointment. I only had so much time for her.
She wasn't wrong, but I was struggling to put food on the table and purchase expensive formula for my kiddo. And through it, I was doing my best not to have a breakdown.
Chances are, you have a loved one going through their own version that I was. They don't intend to ignore you… they are doing their best to keep moving forward with the items pulling them.
Take some pressure off both of you and plan an outing. It could be for an hour over lunch or shopping trips. You could even try for a vacation!
Whatever it is, find out when your loved one has time, and tell them you'll take care of the details based on whatever time they can give you (and, of course, budget). Then, plan something you both will enjoy!
Hello, memories!
4. Be there for them
Sometimes it isn't easy to be there for others. When we feel left out, it is hard to garner the sympathy to consider where someone else may be in their lives.
On the other hand, when you are there for them, you show them by example how to be there for you.
Loved ones have bad days. It isn't all rainbows and green grass on their side of the street. And sometimes, they don't need you to fix anything – they need you to listen.
Remember when you had teenagers, and they would start to talk about their problems? In our goodness, we wanted to help solve their issues, but it only seemed to push them away.
What they needed wasn't our best advice – they needed our ear.
Let them vent and give them your full attention. Put your phone away and mute the television. Let them get it out, even if the conversation gets boring or repetitive.
They will have a feeling of understanding and relief, and they will associate it with talking to you.
5. One-on-one time
Having individual time is essential for creating lasting memories and bonds.
Pick a day and grab a grandkid, child, or spouse!
Then, do something just with them – no one else.
We often think that time doesn't count unless it is the whole family and the hustle and bustle of a big gathering.
But, unfortunately, when we allow that one-sided view to cloud our vision, we miss some quality time for bonding.
When you have one-on-one time, you don't need to try to balance out attention. Likewise, you also do not get lost in the crowd.
It's just you and your loved one… individual and private laughs. And like superglue, these memories will secure your bond.
3. Plan it out
Once, when my friend was going through her early parenting stages, I was working three jobs. She proclaimed meeting with me was like planning a doctor's appointment.
I only had so much time for her.
She wasn't wrong, but I was struggling to put food on the table and purchase expensive formula for my kiddo. And through it, I was doing my best not to have a breakdown.
Chances are, you have a loved one going through their own version that I was. They don't intend to ignore you… they are doing their best to keep moving forward with the items pulling them.
Take some pressure off both of you and plan an outing. It could be for an hour over lunch or shopping trips. You could even try for a vacation!
Whatever it is, find out when your loved one has time, and tell them you'll take care of the details based on whatever time they can give you (and, of course, budget). Then, plan something you both will enjoy! Hello, memories!
4. Be there for them
Sometimes it isn't easy to be there for others. When we feel left out, it is hard to garner the sympathy to consider where someone else may be in their lives.
On the other hand, when you are there for them, you show them by example how to be there for you.
Loved ones have bad days. It isn't all rainbows and green grass on their side of the street. And sometimes, they don't need you to fix anything – they need you to listen.
4. Be there for them
Sometimes it isn't easy to be there for others. When we feel left out, it is hard to garner the sympathy to consider where someone else may be in their lives.
On the other hand, when you are there for them, you show them by example how to be there for you.
Loved ones have bad days. It isn't all rainbows and green grass on their side of the street. And sometimes, they don't need you to fix anything – they need you to listen.
Remember when you had teenagers, and they would start to talk about their problems? In our goodness, we wanted to help solve their issues, but it only seemed to push them away.
What they needed wasn't our best advice – they needed our ear.
Let them vent and give them your full attention. Put your phone away and mute the television. Let them get it out, even if the conversation gets boring or repetitive.
They will have a feeling of understanding and relief, and they will associate it with talking to you.
5. One-on-one time
Having individual time is essential for creating lasting memories and bonds.
Pick a day and grab a grandkid, child, or spouse!
Then, do something just with them – no one else.
Remember when you had teenagers, and they would start to talk about their problems? In our goodness, we wanted to help solve their issues, but it only seemed to push them away.
What they needed wasn't our best advice – they needed our ear.
Let them vent and give them your full attention. Put your phone away and mute the television. Let them get it out, even if the conversation gets boring or repetitive.
They will have a feeling of understanding and relief, and they will associate it with talking to you.
5. One-on-one time
Having individual time is essential for creating lasting memories and bonds.
Pick a day and grab a grandkid, child, or spouse! Then, do something just with them – no one else.
We often think that time doesn't count unless it is the whole family and the hustle and bustle of a big gathering.
But, unfortunately, when we allow that one-sided view to cloud our vision, we miss some quality time for bonding.
When you have one-on-one time, you don't need to try to balance out attention. Likewise, you also do not get lost in the crowd.
It's just you and your loved one… individual and private laughs. And like superglue, these memories will secure your bond.
What are you waiting for?
Our only question is, which of these strategies will you try first?
Pick a tip and a person, and schedule some time together. Just because an outing is planned doesn't make it any less meaningful.
After all, you never took a vacation without some itinerary, right? Yet, you made unforgettable memories along the way.
Grab your phone and make a few calls. Getting closer to your loved ones is one plan away!
Cheers to Positive Aging and Bonding with your Loved Ones!
We often think that time doesn't count unless it is the whole family and the hustle and bustle of a big gathering. But, unfortunately, when we allow that one-sided view to cloud our vision, we miss some quality time for bonding.
When you have one-on-one time, you don't need to try to balance out attention. Likewise, you also do not get lost in the crowd.
It's just you and your loved one… individual and private laughs. And like superglue, these memories will secure your bond.
What are you waiting for?
Our only question is, which of these strategies will you try first?
Pick a tip and a person, and schedule some time together. Just because an outing is planned doesn't make it any less meaningful.
After all, you never took a vacation without some itinerary, right? Yet, you made unforgettable memories along the way.
Grab your phone and make a few calls. Getting closer to your loved ones is one plan away!
Cheers to Positive Aging and Bonding with your Loved Ones!
What are you waiting for?
Our only question is, which of these strategies will you try first?
Pick a tip and a person, and schedule some time together. Just because an outing is planned doesn't make it any less meaningful.
After all, you never took a vacation without some itinerary, right? Yet, you made unforgettable memories along the way.
Grab your phone and make a few calls. Getting closer to your loved ones is one plan away!
Cheers to Positive Aging and Bonding with your Loved Ones!
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