Have you been feeling like there’s a brick wall between you and your partner? Have you been having trouble relating, even with simple ideas and events, where you would usually feel understood by one and other? Have you been feeling like the relationship has become stagnant?
These are common complaints among long-term couples. Even people who love each other deeply can find themselves feeling like something that used to be part of their relationship is “missing”. Oftentimes, what’s missing is mindfulness.
If you find yourself longing for a time when you and your partner were more sensitive to one and other—usually, the initial stages of a relationship—what you’re really missing is the effort that both of you used to put into your bond. Thoughtfulness, ironically, tends to fall by the wayside in committed relationships, as both of you have expected the other to show up for so long.
PsychologyToday defines “mindfulness’ as a “state of active, open attention to the present”. Psychologist Tasha Seiter spoke with PsychologyToday to describe the five elements of mindfulness, that partners can apply to their relationships with their significant other:
- Presence
- Emotional Awareness
- Nonreactivity in Conflict
- Compassion for Partner
- Compassion for Self
Sources:
Mindfulness | Psychology Today
5 Ways to Be a Better Partner | Psychology Today
