What are five things that you love about your partner? When’s the last time they did something that truly impressed you? What about them today makes you grateful to have

them in your life? Focus on the answers and put them down in a gratitude journal; one that both of you can share. A lot of people have a personal

one, but a couple’s gratitude journal is a wonderful way for each of you to not lose sight of what made you fall in love in the first place. It

also helps you both to feel validated and appreciated. It’s hard to feel relationally stagnant when you’re being emotionally affirmed.

Going to work every day and paying your bills on time is the kind of routine you need to have. But going to the same restaurant every weekend? That’s super

boring! Find an activity that both of you can do together. Something that neither one of you have tried before. That will bring in some excitement. It will also help

the two of you to create a new memory that is only yours.

Here’s the clincher about the weekend trip. It needs to be somewhere you’ve never been before and it needs to be a road trip. Some couples are bored because they

feel disconnected. That’s because they can’t remember the last time they spent any real quality time together. A road trip is ideal for that, even if it’s only a two-hour

drive to the next town. Hotels are seductive. Bed and breakfasts are endearing. Take your pick. Just try and do this as soon as possible!

You’re never too old or been with your partner too long to not have some fantasies. Yes, those kinds of fantasies. If you’re sexually bored, chances are your partner is

too; both of you are just hesitant to say something. Remember that intimacy isn’t just physical; it’s emotional and spiritual too. Sharing your deepest needs can be what ultimately brings

the both of you closer together. One night, cuddle and talk about some things you’d like to try. You never know what might come from it.

If you’ve never read The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman, it’s the kind of book that every couple should have in their collection. Until you get

it, this picture is like a cheat sheet. Each person has two top ways they want love to be expressed to them. The mistake that a lot of people make

is giving what they want rather than what their partner actually needs. It’s a good idea to know the difference between the two.

While you’re in a lull, it’s important to really watch your boundaries with other people. Sometimes the things that you’re (temporarily) missing in your own relationship, you’ll try and look

to others to provide. Then you’ll rationalize that it’s “harmless” so long as physical intimacy has not taken place. Be careful, emotional affairs can creep up on you and entangle

you more than you would’ve ever expected. That will only cause more problems in your relationship. For signs of an emotional affair, click here.