

When was the last time you checked in with each other about your future? If it's been a minute, talk about what you'd like to do in the next year, five years, etc., including where you want to travel, where you see your careers going, and so on. How was work? What went well? What didn't?Īs Christie Tcharkhoutian, LMFT, a licensed marriage and family therapist says, this simple discussion will deepen your connection, stay on the same page, and ultimately help you weather life's ups and downs as a couple. So if you aren't already in the habit, consider sharing your highs and lows after you've spent time apart. This is a conversation you can have every single day. And who knows? You might even learn something new about each other. But if you don't, it'll quickly turn into some fun banter. Or throw out a fun topic - like, "do you think aliens exist? - and discuss. Marlene Caroselli, an author and speaker, tells Bustle. "Find a provocative quotation and discuss your separate interpretations," Dr. If it feels like your conversations have screeched to a halt, try stirring up a healthy debate. If you'd like to chat about fun things, here are a few ways to start up a conversation with your partner, even if it feels like you've already talked about everything. But there are ways to remedy it all the same. Klapow says it's very natural to have ups and down in a long-term relationship, including moments of boredom, and that it's rarely a sign of deeper problem. "The topics may not change, but your perspectives, your understanding of them, and how you see them as individuals and as a couple will." "If you have been with your partner for a while then you can absolutely revisit old topics," Klapow says.

It's also OK to talk about the same thing more than once. That strain “of trying to think of something new can easily take over the vibe of the conversation." It's totally OK to let topics come up naturally, to chat about the weather, or to simply sit quietly and enjoy each other's company. Josh Klapow, a clinical psychologist, tells Bustle. "Stop trying to talk about 'new' things," Dr. This moment can certainly be a turning point in a long-term relationship, but there is no need to fret - especially since the more you worry about coming up with something new to say, the harder it'll be. Now, you feel like you literally have nothing creative, interesting, or important left to say - and the silence is deafening. You've told your stories, you've shared your dreams, and you've muttered a few words about what you'd like to eat for dinner. Once you've been with your partner for a minute, it can sometimes feel like you've talked about everything.
