Parting and Coming Together
Much of our relationships are lived out in the little moments. And while we pay special attention to significant moments like the first kiss, or that first intertwining of fingers, and rightly so, there's also something to be said in moments we may treat as the "ordinary," or mundane. These moments too, like those special ones, deserve our attention and can be very much opportunities for building your relationship and showing love. In this post, I'd like to point specifically to moments of transition.
Like any moment, transitions can happen in a blink of an eye. Take for example, the morning parting of ways. One of you is running late and so there's hardly a goodbye kiss, hug, let alone even words. Then there's perhaps the transition of coming together again at the end of the day, when each of you has gone through possibly, a myriad of things: work stresses, physical fatigue, dealing with people, etc. That moment of transitioning from all of that to coming back together can be something we take for granted. We might come home, throw our jacket down, toss the keys to the floor, and just slump down onto the couch, all the while, missing an opportunity to reconnect or draw close to our partner.
It may be difficult, but these daily transitions are a good time for practicing being mindful of the moment. Yes, you're perhaps in a rush; you're exhausted from a long day and maybe a long commute; but you're also about to leave your loved on for the day (or, in the case of coming home, reuniting with that loved one). Being intentional and taking initiative to show love, appreciation, and affection to your partner can make these moments powerful. In some cases, they might just set the right tone for the rest of your day, or, if you've had a bad day, swing it back into the right direction for you.
Note: This post was inspired by a recent Facebook post by Benjamin Holmgren.
Writer Bio: Dr. Annie Hsueh, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY25708) in the Los Angeles area. She has dedicated her career towards helping couples develop more joy and connection in their relationships. She is based in Torrance, CA and sees clients throughout California via secure online therapy platforms.