Relationships are a lot of work. We all know this, especially if we are in one. Some days, you look at your significant other and wonder, “what was I thinking?” Other days, they walk on water, so to speak.

Keeping the relationship strong is a two-person job. And you can use affirmations together to further strengthen your bond.

First, make sure your partner wants to participate. Not everyone is comfortable using affirmations in front of others. That’s okay. There is another way (I’ll discuss it in a minute). If your partner is willing, the next step is -

Love one another

Choose an affirmation to use. Remember to keep them positive, present and simple.

Samples:

I love you. (When sincere, this is one of the most

powerful affirmations

couples can use.)

You are special.

We belong together.

We are a team.

After you’ve chosen an affirmation to use, you can use it in a number of ways.

1. Sit together, facing one another. Look each other in the eye and repeat the affirmation back and forth to one another with feeling.

2. Say the affirmation to one another as you enter or leave each other’s company throughout the day. Even if you are walking out of one room to another, stop, look at your partner, and repeat the affirmation.

3. When you are being intimate, this is also a good time for eye contact and to share the affirmation you’ve chosen.

Over time, you may develop signals or other “inside” gestures to share the affirmation without saying it. A quick squeeze of your partner’s hand can say, “I believe in you.” A kiss on the ch

eek can say, “I love you.” Each of these builds intimacy and strengthens the core of your relationship.

It won’t make problems go away, but it will serve to remind you why you bother to work on those problems in the first place. A strong affirmation between partners will also reaffirm

to each of you why you are together in the first place. You will begin to see your partner in a less critical light, recalling all of the little things that made you fall in love.

As I promised, there is a way for couples to

share affirmations, even if the exercises above are more than they are ready for. All the person has to do is mentally repeat the affirmation each time they look at their partner. This can be used together with a physical gesture to reiterate that commitment. Over time, confidence and intimacy may make the partner willing to share in one of the above methods for reaffirming your relationship.

Remember, this is about strengthening your bond and sharing your love. Keep it simple and don’t force it. Let your partner do what is most comfortable to begin with. And -

Affirm your relationship!