Creating Sparks That Last & All Things Relationships

But how? Image: Elora Canne Self-awareness, for one. And effort for another. Neither romance nor love are going to land in your lap if you just sit back staring into space. Unless you’re gazing at the stars with the love of your life cuddled up next to you - but you have to make that happen, right? Let’s start with self-awareness: If you don’t know what you want, you can’t make it happen - go figure. Figure out what kind of relationship makes you happy, then set your intentions to plan for it.  For example: do you want more travel and adventure,  or romance and fine dining?  perhaps you’d prefer more quiet date-nights-in, or snuggled up for more movie nights? Whatever it is that you want more of, you have to,  a) know, and,  b) make it happen. So that’s your project for this month, to figure out what you want more of in your relationship. Perhaps you want a combination of all 3 of my suggestions above. Or, perhaps you can add ideas of your own. _________________________________________

And Healthy Relationship Tips If you’re wondering what the secret to lasting love is, there isn’t one. You have to take the long way round. And the good news is, I’ve got 3 tips that will get you there. How do I know? Because this year marks the 40th year my partner and I will have been together. Not married, that’ll be 37 years, but together - not yet mind you, that’ll be later on in the year. Our relationship comes with lots of experience, so healthy relationship tips are kind of my fortè. Here are my 3 tips for you: • Regular dates inject new interest into your relationship. They don’t have to be expensive outings, in fact they don’t even have to be outings, but they do have to be something out of the ordinary. • My second healthy relationship tip is to have the awkward conversation. Repeatedly, until the issue is fully resolved. This may take months, intermittently and you will continue to have issues needing discussion, just keep at it. Preferably on neutral ground during a walk o

And Successful Okay now that I have begrudgingly (but successfully) transitioned into autumn, I have something wonderful to share! Back in those balmy summer days - so very long ago now - (sigh), I had one of those life-changing, and I mean LITERALLY life-changing, epiphanies that these gorgeous hot sunshiny days were not going to last forever. Go figure, but it is something a lot of us take for granted. So I did what any sun loving creature would do - I decided to train for a triathlon! Now I was the kid in the swimming comp who would be spluttering and coming last while the coach would be walking alongside me at the edge of the pool clapping and cheering me on, bringing ALL THE ATTENTION to my drowning self. 💦 🏊‍♀️ 💦 But here we are. In an open water canal swimming lengths to train for a triathlon, sans the cheering coach thankfully because the canal is lined on both sides with rows of homes fully occupied with retirees just gazing out their windows for some entertainment. Well th

And Personal Reflection Instagram: @meganruthphotography_ downloaded via Unsplash Earlier this week, I witnessed the first turning of yellow leaves heralding the start of autumn. Wait!! I wailed, I'm not ready. This made me take stock: Why was I not ready? I've known all my life that summer segues into autumn. So why am I not ready? @primipil via Unsplash Personal reflection leads to change It's the same for our seasons in life. Personal reflection changes with each stage of life. Relationship boundaries shapeshift according to our status, commitment and amount of time together, i.e. child-raising years compared to empty-nester years, or career peaks versus slowing down your workload. That brings me to today's discussion. Personal reflection corresponds directly to our evolving boundaries. And if the people in our lives are not (or cannot be) in sync with our changing parameters, then we need to speak our mind so they can either level up or respect our growth. When we w

Do you choose a word of the year? It doesn't always stay in the fore front of my mind when I have selected a word for the year but it certainly helps me stay focused on my projects. Image above embodies: Propel/Focus/In-Sync What is your word or phrase for 2023? The reason I've chosen 'PROPEL' as my word, is it's very definition to: push, move or drive something forwards. To push, move or drive through barriers or obstacles. To spur or drive into a particular situation. I mean, it's an exact proposal for living, right? Life can throw obstacles our way and it is our own business to maneuver our way around them and keep moving forwards . That is the ultimate secret to SUCCESS, but remember… Success looks different for everyone   To keep my writing career successfully moving forwards, I am changing course into fiction this year. Truth be told, my upcoming release is based on true events, so I like to think of it as factual fiction. Have you read any great examples

Enclosed: 3 Fun and Free Ideas  Elora and the Nutcracker at Windsor Castle, U.K 2011 World Trip (If that's you in the background with a cup of coffee,  "Hi and apologies; I wasn't able to edit you out haha.") Hopefully your Holiday shopping frenzy is over and you can start thinking of ways to unwind - or at the very least, grab 10 minutes to relax by yourself or with your fave humans. I've put together some great ideas that are free and fun for you to take some time out and catch your breath. 👌 Easy dates that can include family or just you and your partner:  Tap Here for Date Ideas:   👌 If it's an evening of sweet serenades with your love that you need, I've got you covered with this cruisy tunes playlist:  Have a listen here: 👌 For longer term ideas, sign up for our free   once-a-month at-home date ideas throughout 2023 that’ll help intensify your feelings for your partner - even after several decades together!  Sign Up here: Most of all remember to

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 husband and I will b