Creating Sparks That Last & All Things Relationships

Dating Risks https://unsplash.com/@marqquin Let’s have a chat about taking risks in the dating world. Dating Risks  - as you click on the video, the first 15 seconds are awkward silence while I waited to go live 🤣 Can you think of a dating disaster that still makes you laugh today? [To be clear we’re not talking dangerous dating mishaps, I don’t have the qualification to help but am including  THIS LINK if you need professional help from anywhere in the world]. https://unsplash.com/@krakenimages In retrospect, with my "far too many wines of glass already," line, it could have been risky, but we were a party of six and I was with my best friend. I think that's where we draw the line at taking chances with people we don't yet know, it's always wise to go in a group with someone you know and to be in a well-lit public space. Back to the funny things that can go wrong on a date.  On one particular date, my wedge cork shoe broke at the strap - I spent the date BAREFO

Redefining Boundaries https://unsplash.com/@yirage Committing to a life-long marriage through difficult times takes a lot of courage. Each partner has to redefine for themselves the kind of life they want to lead within the walls of a partnership. Will you be willing to forgo some of your identity to take on the characteristics of a partner, who, just a few years ago was a complete stranger? How well do you know each other? In this life that you share, how deeply have you truly got to know each other? What you do on a daily basis in the humdrum of a nine to five lifestyle erodes the learnings and coping mechanisms adopted from your years of younger love. Invisible introspection can dim the light in your eyes if you let it. Old habits take over  if you forget to create  special moments together Learning to redefine the meaning of love means learning to redefine boundaries that no longer have any meaning. Boundaries that were significant at the beginning of your relationship as a couple

 Where we Belong Belonging eludes many people and yet it is such an inherent need in human beings; it gives meaning to our every thought and action. And a close second to that is connection, without which there can be no belonging. True, we can't rely on 'belonging' for our own happiness but it definitely forms an integral part of our we perceive ourselves within society. Travelling inwards reveals just how much our mind can  haunt us and berate us if we let it. However, self-discovery enables us to understand how we relate to others and to form meaningful connections with them.  Finding a way to understand ourselves and deepen our inner-knowledge takes many forms. Sometimes it's physically trying new things, other times it's listening to that inner voice and shushing the critic but hearing the deeper reasoning of why we are so critical of our mistakes. This might enlighten us as to what we don't want in external relationships/friendships. Therefore, knowing wha

If Not Now, Then When? When will you honour your deepest desires? When will you put your dream life ahead of someone else’s? I’ll tell you when: TODAY! Today is the day you get to live the life of your dreams! If you’re unsure how to go about it, I have just the thing for you. Go live the life of your dreams. Bolder and braver than you ever imagined possible. EN ROUTE is full of inspiration and encouragement to get you started.  The best is yet to be, so go now and find the way forwards: EN ROUTE: The best is yet to be  

🎁 Happy Relationships and a Merry Christmas Image credit @KatieAzi My gift to you this holiday season, is one of happier times with your loved ones. I have a giveaway for you; a booklet of Date Year Ideas for you to use at your leisure. Completely free, no strings attached, a giveaway of pure loving intention. The date ideas are fun and relaxed and can be used in any relationship you wish to deepen. Healthy relationships cover all aspects of our lives, so you can quite easily adapt my date ideas to your friendships, family relationships or partnerships.  Your style, your way.   I have included a page for each month of the year with some ideas for you to think about. But, this is YOUR date year, YOUR way. You can change them up, add your own or include anything that gets you closer to understanding the person you are with in that moment. Your free booklet is at the link below: Date Year Ideas Image credit @OlesiaHnatkevych Have fun and do share your own date ideas with me in the commen

Or Not the One? https://unsplash.com/@jess33mx How can you know for sure that your partner is the one for you? The simple truth is, you can’t. As a young teenager, I threw a declaration out into the wind that I would marry a man with curly hair who loved water sports. When I met my then-boyfriend, now-husband, it was a lifetime later, different school, different friends and yet I met this young man who loved nothing better than to go water skiing with friends every weekend, and, yes, he had curly hair! Now, several decades later, we have our own little run-around boat and love nothing better than to go out on the lake or for a paddle in quiet waters. But those several decades were definitely not smooth sailing. https://unsplash.com/@matthewclarkrogers From the outside, it looks like he was my 'one.' But there were many occasions when I wondered, in fact we both wondered, if  we wanted this life together. You see, when I threw my declaration out into the Universe, I was young an

Holiday Reads to Help with your Relationships https://unsplash.com/@thoughtcatalog As the holidays get near, it's difficult to keep daily routines running smoothly and this is a problem for people who don't like their days disrupted. It's particularly difficult when you have friends or family staying for long periods through the holiday season. I've listed some books below that will help us understand the complexities in a range of relationships, and help us to see the perspective of the other person, or people, as well.  The following books relate to aspects of our relationship with: Ourselves  Our parents  Partner  Children   Extended family, friends or even colleagues.  I have read them all and have gained different insights from each one. (I am in NO WAY affiliated). We'll start with our relationship with ourselves, because ultimately, that's where our interactions stem from, in every single relationship we encounter. Hector and the Search for Happiness by F