The holidays are ideally a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness, but there’s also (let’s be honest)… stress! Between juggling family obligations, shopping for the perfect gifts, and managing packed schedules, it's no secret that the holiday season can be demanding. The pressure to create perfect memories, manage family dynamics, and keep up with traditions can leave most of us feeling more like co-managers of holiday logistics rather than romantic partners. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected from your partner.
The good news? This is a very normal experience!
The better news? This season, let’s hit pause and focus on maintaining connection in your relationship.
Staying connected with your partner during the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, it starts with one simple ritual that can bring you closer in just a few minutes each day.
A Simple Gratitude Ritual for Couples
One of the easiest ways to stay connected during busy times is to cultivate gratitude together. Practicing gratitude isn’t just a trendy idea—it’s been shown to boost happiness, improve relationships, and strengthen emotional bonds.
You may notice that this "practical exercise" is similar to last month’s suggestion.
Last time, we recommended taking three minutes once a week to share what you’re grateful for with one another. This month, we’re building on that idea with a notable difference: increased frequency! This is intentional. At Imago, we believe in the adage, “What you focus on, you tend to get more of.” That’s why we encourage increasing the amount of time spent focusing on and sharing gratitude with your partner. Additionally, since the holidays often bring extra stress, it’s important to counteract this with more intentional and frequent moments of connection.
Here’s how to get started with this simple daily gratitude ritual:
Set aside 2 minutes each day.
Whether it’s over your morning coffee, before bed, or during a quiet moment in the evening, create a space for just the two of you. (Tip: You’re more likely to stick with this if you attach it to a ritual you already share.)
Sit and look at one another. Pause and make eye contact. This act of slowing down—without distractions—allows you to be fully present with each other.
Eye contact helps calm the nervous system, create a sense of safety, and deepen connection. When you focus on each other in this way, it’s easier to take in the appreciation being shared. Neuroscience also shows that when we engage in genuine eye contact, mirror neurons in the brain can fire, helping us “sync up” emotionally with our partner.
Take turns sharing one thing you appreciate about each other, and why this particular thing is meaningful to you.
Be specific. For example, it could be something your partner did that day (“I loved how you made time to help with the decorations, and this was meaningful to me because it reminded me of family time when I was growing up and we would decorate together.”), or a quality you admire (“I appreciate how patient you’ve been this week, and this is meaningful because with this extra stress, your patience has felt really grounding.”).
End with gratitude.
Thank each other for sharing and savor the moment together.
This ritual doesn’t take much time, but it can create profound shifts in your relationship. When you both feel seen and appreciated, it’s easier to handle whatever the season throws your way.
Looking Ahead: Build a Stronger Connection in 2025
While staying connected now is essential, the new year offers a fresh opportunity to deepen your bond even further. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be hosting an Imago Couples Workshop in late spring 2025.
This transformative workshop is designed to help couples:
Learn practical communication tools to navigate challenges with empathy.
Reconnect on a deeper emotional level.
Build the foundation for a more fulfilling, harmonious relationship.
Imagine stepping into 2025 with a renewed sense of partnership and understanding. This workshop is the perfect gift to give your relationship, and I can’t wait to share more details soon!
Join Us on the Journey
The holidays offer a unique opportunity to prioritize the connection you share with your partner. As you reflect on what you’re grateful for this year, don’t forget to include the bond you share. By embracing a simple gratitude ritual, you can nurture your relationship, reduce seasonal stress, and create meaningful moments together. Together, you can set the stage for a holiday season filled with love, connection, and the promise of an even stronger relationship in the year to come.
Looking ahead to 2025, I invite you to join us on a journey toward deeper connection and greater understanding in your relationship. My upcoming Imago Couples Workshop is designed to help you transform communication, navigate challenges with empathy, and build a stronger foundation for the future.
This holiday season, start small with intentional acts of gratitude and love—and let’s make the coming year one of growth, joy, and togetherness.
I’m here to support you in the small steps as well as the bigger ones. Stay tuned for more details about the workshop and other resources to help you thrive as a couple.
Warm wishes and happy holidays!
Comments