Couples Counseling Worcester MA. Time to Connect in a Fast-Paced World
Couples Counseling Worcester MA. Taking time to
slow down and connect
Being in a relationship can be amazing, especially when it's fresh and new. However, it turns out that relationships require a lot of work too. In the beginning stages of dating, there's this spark, this excitement. We find ourselves wanting to spend all our time with this new person, curious about every aspect of them. But over time, as we become more familiar and exposed to each other, that initial excitement naturally decreases. We may then find ourselves wondering if we've lost attraction to our partners or fallen out of love with them, and vice versa.
Our culture perpetuates this fantasy of true love, of everlasting passion and electricity, along with the expectation that our partner should fulfill every role we need them to: best friend, lover, co-parent, weekend adventurer, and more. However, this initial electricity inevitably fades. It's unrealistic to expect such intensity to be sustained forever. Instead, what often happens is that lust and excitement soften into emotional and spiritual intimacy—a real understanding and connection with someone.
You want more connection with Couples Counseling Worcester MA.
In a fast-paced world, it can be challenging to feel connected not only to ourselves but also to our partners. Factor in two full-time jobs, aging parents, and caring for children, and it becomes clear that relationships, especially long-term ones, require considerable effort. The reality is that it often feels like there's no time to nurture our relationship with our partner.
Given life's myriad demands and distractions, it's crucial to carve out a small amount of time each week (20 minutes 2x a week) to truly connect with our partner. If we don't schedule it, chances are it won't happen.
Here are some things to consider:
Schedule a time where you won't be interrupted, such as when the kids are asleep, watching TV, or at a friend's house.
Ensure all screens are turned off, and your phones are on silent and placed in another room to minimize distractions.
Starting your conversation with your partner by listening to a grounding audio exercise can help both of you get into the present moment and shift focus from whatever you were doing before.
After the grounding exercise, try initiating the conversation with your partner by expressing one thing you appreciate about them. This step is important because we often think about our partners' positive traits but never vocalize them. Conversely, we may vocalize annoyances more readily, as they elicit stronger emotions.
Take the pressure off, view this time with partner as an experiment and see what happens.
Meghan C. Foucher, LICSW specializes in anxiety and couples counseling Worcester MA. Helping couples and individuals shift out of stress, anxiety, and conflict while improving communication and regaining connection.
