Creating Sparks That Last & All Things Relationships

The Couples Adventure Guide This super fun book disrupts the dating scene in that you get to measure the success of each date as you go.  Plus, there is a section to include a photograph, movie ticket, receipt or other paste-ons in the book.  What I Loved About the Book: The author, Jennifer Ocean, offers straightforward dating ideas; no wading through reams of pages desperately searching for 'the one.'  Simple, achievable date ideas.   Not only that, the dates are divided into three segments:  at home,  outdoors,  places to go   You get to choose. What I Didn't Love About the Book: This is subjective, I'll admit, but I felt the dating suggestions were primarily aimed at younger adults.  🏎️🏎️ For example, I wouldn't go go-karting on a date, however, in my thirties I did go on an Advanced Driving Course date, so there's that. Why I Would Recommend this Book: Each segment is guided by cost, with plenty of free, affordable, or extravagan...

💝 As Promised 💝 Twice in one week in your inbox has got to be a record! But I couldn’t leave you out of all the giveaways from my Author Day surprises! EDITED: To add, no longer free but kept at the low price of $.99c ~First up is my dating journal for FREE ! But only for the rest of today, 14/3/24, due to those pesky timezones ⏰ Find it here:  Free book: Creating Sparks that Last 😱 Fear not, if you’ve missed out, because I’m also offering a free epub copy of my memoir, En Route. Simply comment below for the link. En Route is essentially a travel memoir with a whole lot of midlife flourishing! 🎁 And if books are not your thing, I have more free downloads for you. 🥰 If you’re looking for a variety of date ideas, look no further. I’ve compiled a list of monthly ideas for a whole year. I’m confident you’ll find some fun experiences to enjoy: [Edit - I’ve tried to post them here several times to no avail. I’ll gladly email them to you instead. Send a request with subject line Da...

The Year of The Couple 2023 Is going to be The Year of The Couple.  Well, in my world anyway. Every now and then I embark on an experiment that’ll inject some torque into the engine that drives our relationships. And this time, it’s a blueprint, or plan of action, which I’ve called Romance and Wrinkles. Romance and Wrinkles Sign Up Form Join in for once-a-month emails from me.  Each month I’ll introduce an experience to enhance your perception of your partner for the better. Each experience will be face-to-face so you can observe each other closely: facial expressions, eye contact, emotional response. Don’t worry if this sounds intense, they are all fun, lighthearted and above-board engaging opportunities. To the best of my ability, they will also be screen-free. 💟 If you’re on the fence and would like to no more, please comment below. And if you prefer, there is also an email link on the sign-up form for questions. Tap the link ➡️  Find the sign-up form here: My husban...

Q & A  Friday  Recently, I put a question to readers on my social media, asking what they wanted to know about relationships and/or personal growth. The two go hand-in-hand in my opinion. If you'd like to contribute to this post for next week's blog, click here:   Your Burning Questions Answered Are you growing apart or tightening your connection? https://unsplash.com/@joshhild Reader Question #1 How do we know when to call it quits? Every relationship has its ups and downs. It has to. For growth. You cannot grow in a stalemate standoff where conversation doesn't enter that 'difficult' realm. If you enter into a relationship with a growth mindset it is inevitable that you will come up against resistance in your endeavour to understand yourself, and your partner, better. Because stepping out of situations that are comfortable, makes us feel insecure and if your partner is unsure of stepping onto new territory with you, you will feel restricted in your growth and ...

Relationship Habits for Greater Happiness I am so excited to introduce our guest blogger to you today! Cheri Timko is a Couples Relationship Expert who helps individuals strengthen their relationship with their current partner. Quoted from Cheri’s blog: Cheri Timko: A relationship habit is something built into our lives that we do automatically. That doesn't mean thoughtlessly. We still have to show up for that event.  The benefit of making these things habits is that we don't have to work so hard to come up with new ideas in order to connect with our partner - the opportunities to connect are already built into the relationship. You still need to show up with intention and emotion, but the opportunity is already there. Read the full article on her blog at the link below: 3 Relationship Habits for Greater Happiness Instagram Live with Cheri Timko I'm even more excited to tell you that we will get a chance to chat with Cheri on Instagram next week.  I have set a reminder on ...

 A Deeper Dive [I invite you to sit quietly, read and contemplate this resonant article by Guest Blogger Kate Jiggins] At this point in my life, I have two “jobs.” Job number one is a people helper. A listener. A psychotherapist. I have been sitting with people – witnessing their stories – for close to 20-years. Yikes! Sometimes it feels like I am just out of graduate school. Like a new puppy. Wide eyed. Enthusiastic. Image credit Canva My other “job”? I write. I tell stories about real life. Real people. Real struggles. Real triumph. Real inspiration. Stories that connect, support – hopefully inspire people to push themselves - explore what’s on the other side of that unhelpful conditioning. Limiting beliefs. Crappy stories. Those re-runs that keep us stuck.  Overtime, in my personal work, and my time with couples, I am beginning to see – more importantly understand - the power of story. Mine. Yours. Theirs. Others. It’s true, we all have unique stories. However, the big qu...

And a Whole Lot of Living There she is! Introducing my book baby, which, just by the way, hit the No.1 Best Seller list in it's category on launch day! The category is One-Hour Relationships Short Reads ! That's it - in just one hour you could be on your way to a whole new way of life. Imagine how good that will be. You and your partner can be reading TONIGHT, together and start living your best lives as a couple madly, deeply in love. Grab your chance  HERE ! Wake Up Tomorrow Morning With a Clean Slate https://unsplash.com/@matheusferrero Here's how my book, Creating Sparks that Last,  has helped other couples just like you: Don’t you just LOVE that this reader is so inspired to create new sparks, new memories and renewed connection, in her marriage? I do! This next reader just blew me away with her enthusiasm for her husband to read the book: You’re just an hour away from living your romantic dream, and at just $.99c, I’d say that’s real value. Don’t delay:  Grab it tod...

How to Change Conversation Blockers https://unsplash.com/@jonathanborba One thing is for sure: Marriage and relationships take a lot of work; a lot of honesty with ourselves and our partners. Michelle Obama speaks openly on her anniversary with Barack. [This will be the last of our 4-part mini series on effective communication in relationships.  Keep a look out for our new series next week!]  Honesty with ourselves: Let's begin there If our partner says things that make us feel uncomfortable, we have to first examine what it feels like inside of us in order to understand why we feel that way. For example, "Are you going to dinner dressed like that?" A seemingly innocent question right? WRONG. It's an accusatory question and it makes you feel defensive. Great! Now you can start to understand why it makes you feel that way. You might have any number of reasons - they'll be personal to you as we're all so very different. When you've discovered why you feel a ...