8 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Relationship

Relationships are formed through commitment and sustained through mutual respect and effort, whether you've been dating for six months or married for five years. It would be an understatement to say your connection is unique, and it would be a mistake not to want to improve it.

While each relationship is unique, there is no such thing as a perfect partnership. You will not only secure a quality relationship with your partner by doing these 8 things to build your bond, but you will also demonstrate your determination to work for one.

1. Ask your partner something new

Every relationship's success is determined by how well it communicates. It's fine to inquire about your partner's day, but it becomes tedious when you do so often. Make an additional effort to query your significant other about anything special to improve your discussion. You'll avoid falling into a pattern and start having more meaningful conversations with this new method.

2. Schedule a dating night once a month

The most failsafe strategy to ensure that you make time for each other among your busy schedules and never-ending duties is to set aside a night every month to do just that. Whether you're seeking to spice up your relationship or just want something to do that isn't Netflix, going on a date is a one-night commitment that will endure much longer than the delight it brings.

3. Express your gratitude

Because of the security that a relationship provides, we often overlook what our partners do and instead interpret their gestures of kindness as kinds of expectation. To be honest, your partner doesn't have to fill your gas tank or buy your favorite ice cream; he or she chooses to do so, and acknowledging this kind of effort will encourage your partner to be thoughtful and remind you to be grateful.

4. Make changes to your timetable

We know you're self-sufficient and don't intend to put your life on hold for anyone (and you shouldn't have to). Even if you have other obligations outside of your relationship, comparing your calendars to see if you can spend more time together is a thoughtful gesture.

Maybe your partner can go to the gym a little earlier so you can make it to your partner's intramural game, or maybe you can wake up earlier to finish your tasks so you can make it to your partner's movie premiere. While you shouldn't have to give up your life to make your partner happy, your ability to compromise should be sufficient.

5. Pay attention to the details

Another method to make your conversation more meaningful is to actually listen to what your significant other has to say – and then chat about it later. If your partner mentions having a conversation with a boss, make a note of it in your calendar and remember to ask about it the next day. The fact that you may come back to the issues and specifics that your spouse discussed will elicit a response from him or her. In the end, it's the little things that count, and there's no better place to start than with your relationship.

6. Forget about the past

What occurs in the past doesn't always remain in the past — and it's difficult to go ahead in a relationship when you're still thinking about what happened in it at a different period.

7. Express your feelings

Along with expressing thanks to your partner, it is also recommended that you take action to show how much you care for them. You know how you feel about your spouse, from grasping his or her hand at a restaurant to retiring to bed together at the end of the night, and he or she should be able to see it as well.

8. Find out what your partner's boundaries are

Do you want to leave your lover alone when he or she is upset? Does it bother him or her that you want to text all day? These are basic questions, but the answers will help you understand your partner's boundaries – and prevent you from violating them. Overall, your partner's sense of privacy is likely to differ from yours, and the best approach to respect those boundaries is to understand them.