AD – This is an advertorial feature
Whoever said resolutions and New Year goals had to be established on the 1st January? Nobody… that’s who! And personally, I love setting a range of different goals for myself throughout the year. Rarely a month goes by where I haven’t set myself some sort of goal. My boyfriend Carl and I recently sat down and thought about our relationship goals for 2020, some things we’ve like to do more of which will hopefully improve our relationship even further.
I like the idea of setting goals together with someone else. Of course this doesn’t have to be a romantic partner – it could be a friend, a parent, a child – anyone. But setting out to achieve things together can be a great bonding experience and an opportunity to get even closer and more understanding in your relationship.
So Carl and I came up with 5 things we’d love to try and do more of this year as a couple. #3 might surprise you:
We will attend more racing events together
We’re very much a Motorsport couple. I wasn’t into Motorsport AT ALL before I met him but the more I learnt about it, the more I loved it. And now, it’s one of my favourite things in the world and I love being able to experience this passion with him. Racing events are so much fun – the cars, the atmosphere, everything about them is brilliant.
We’ve been to a few in the past; the DTM in 2018 and 2019, the Blancpain GT series in 2019 and the WEC 4 hours of Silverstone last year too. But our goal for this year is to do even MORE. Even if it’s a series we’re not too familiar with – we just want to get ourselves to a race track more often. I can’t see this one being too hard to achieve!
We will go out for a meal together once a month just the two of us
Partially due to my anxiety, I never enjoyed going out for meals much in the past because it was something that made me feel incredibly anxious. BUT as I’m a thousand times better now, my love for going out for meals has come back – thankfully! As it’s something I always loved to do.
So we’ve vowed to go out for a meal, just the two of us, at least once a month. We’ve already completed that for January – as we had a 50% of mains for a pub that we like – so we took advantage of that last week. I’m looking forward to hopefully trying some new food and restaurants as we work through this goal.
We will do more things individually
I know this point sounds a bit backwards to what this post is actually about but particularly for me, this one is really important. Again, my anxiety took a lot from me, including my ability to do anything alone. For years, I’ve relied on my partner to go places and do things. Rarely doing anything alone. So if there was a film at the cinema I wanted to see but he didn’t? I wouldn’t see it. Because I couldn’t go by myself.
So this goal is huge for both us as a couple and me as an individual. I’m only 27, so I’m at a prime place to experience life both as a couple and on my own (not single, just on my own). And really, nothing should be stopping me. If you’re a little older and done all the travelling and experiencing on your own and are now looking for someone to have new experiences with, silver-dating.com is a great place for silver singles to find that companionship.
We will cook together more
When I say more I mean, at all. We used to do this a bit but then as life got busier, we just stopped. But in the past we’ve made Thai fish cakes, chunky beef chilli, south western sea food and much more together. Cooking together was always a fun activity and plus – super yummy food at the end of it!
We will watch more performing arts
And finally, we’re hoping to watch more performing arts together going forward. So theater, music, cinema – anything of that nature. Every time we come out of the theater we say we should go more. Every time I come out of the cinema, I say that I want to go to the cinema more. So now’s the time to put that into action! We have a James Bond Orchestra performance booked for February and hopefully a lot more for the rest of the year.
What are your relationship or dating goals for this year? If you’re in a relationship, what would you like to do more of together? If you’re single, what are your dating goals for this year? Let me know!
* This is a sponsored post
Some great goals here. Admittedly the world has gone a bit crazy so some of these might be difficult at the moment. I can relate to the wanting to do things alone too. It’s good to have different interests and not have your relationship stop you from enjoying them seperately 🙂
Yeah I mean I did write this months ago when the world was… normal 😂
This is really good advice
My boyfriend and I are moving in together at some point this year, so that’s our main resolution right now. He currently lives about 3 hours away so it’ll be a massive change, but I’m so excited!
Abi | https://whatabigailsays.co.uk/
Wow! What a huge change for you both! xxx
How gorgeous are you two? What a beaut couple!
I really love #3 actually. As someone who has been in a similar position, I know exactly what you mean about depending on your partner. I guess I’ve been forced to try and do more on my own because Blair works away but things like going to the cinema and blogging events alone are still really new to me! I love seeing how confident you’re getting though, it’s really inspiring. And having different things going on means you always have things to tell each other!
I guess you’re in a good position to try #3. With me, Carl is ALWAYS HERE haha! I’d definitely recommend going cinema on your own though!
Date nights are so important!! I loved reading this post, it’s nice to see the relationships behind the blog sometimes!
Rosie
Our biggy is date nights, Joshua isn’t a great sleeper so we’re a bit unsure about leaving him in the evenings at the moment but omg do we need a night away together xx
Hope you can sort something out this year!
This is SUCH a good idea! But I would need to be in a relationship to be able to use any of them lol
Erin || MakeErinOver
True – you could do friendship resolutions?
Awwww!! You two are literal goals! You look so adorable together and make me feel extra single right now! *sob* xD
Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived
Awh thank you xxx
Our goal last year was to make more time for date nights & it worked wonders for us!
Love, Amie ❤
The Curvaceous Vegan
Awh that’s lovely to hear!
Going out to eat once a month sounds like a lovely goal, as does doing more things individually! I think both of those are great additions to any relationship.
Thank you 😌 x
These are such sweet goals!! Prioritising set aside, alone time together like a proper little date at least once a month is lovely. My parents aim to go out alone at least once a week if possible, and they always come back acting like two young kids who are super in love :’) I’m single, and I’m not necessarily looking. If the right guy comes along this year, then great! If not, I’m just going to continue working on improving myself & doing more things alone x
Sounds like a really smart way of approaching it! 😌
I think doing things individually is so important! With my ex I let him take over my hobbies with his and since leaving him I have rediscovered them and am such a happier person!
Awh I’m so glad you’ve found your individuality again xxx
Thanks Jenny x
Love this post! So many good ideas here. I think it is a great thing for couples to cook together. It makes it much more fun. 🙂
Love your post. Cooking together is a wonderful thing to do as you share more than just cooking, but laughter and creation. I love to travel more with my husband. lots of fun all the time even if we are in the car for hours on end.
xoxo Giangi
Thank you x
I’ve never seen a post like this before but I think the concept is great. I like the fact you’ve said do things alone too. It’s important that you have separate interests and experiences as well as doing things together. I’m really glad that a lot of these are related to your anxiety improving too! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Thank you 😌 x
Going out for dinner is so much fun, I’m glad you can enjoy it more now and you’ve gotten back to loving it! I literally love going out for food!
I think being independent from your partner is so important. Of course, companionship is the best part but I think having your separate interests and being okay on your own, going out with you friends etc and making time for other aspects in your life is healthy, and can even add to the spark of the relationship when you come together!!
Good luck with your goals, both of you! Here’s to an amazing year!
Thanks so much, totally agree too x
What a lovely idea for you guys, I’d love to do something like this with my husband x
Thank you x
Beautiful relationship goals, #3 is important and key for any relationship. As much as you should spend time together, having individual time is key to growing a relationship too.
Tx. // Tajinder Kaur
Totally agree, something I’m definitely just starting to realise the importance of x
I love this idea and think it’s something we should all think about 😊 it’s great to do things together, and I definitely think it does help a romantic relationship as well when you both are on the same page 😊 great post xx
Totally agree 🙂 x
Cooking together is such a great way to bond over food! I think it would be great fun to cook a meal and enjoy it as a ‘night in’.
Ah, but I am not surprised by #3. It is said absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I find being apart helps one recognize new things in a person. 🙂
It also helps you learn things about yourself!
I love this post, Jenny! I have the same problem with anxiety, so I definitely want to do more things on my own over the next few months. I just get so anxious going anywhere without my partner 😅 But I don’t want to miss out on anything this year!
I can totally relate. Start small!
These are such lovely ideas 🙂 I particularly like the cooking one – there is something so lovely about cooking and eating a delicious new recipe with a partner 🙂
I hope you both have a fantastic 2020!
Sammy | Self-Care Sloth
Totally agree, I really hope we can cook more this year! x
I might see if my husband wants to set goals! xx
Do it!
Some great goals! I love that you set goals as a couple and for your relationship! Means when you achieve them that you can celebrate them together!
Absolutely 🙂 x
These are really great and fun goals! I especially like that you’re also focusing on yourself and doing a few things independently. That’s so important just to remember your own identity in a relationship. Best of luck to you guys as you achieve these goals!
Thank you:) x
This is such a great idea!
Thank you x
This is a great post! It’s fantastic that you’re able to rediscover some of the things you used to love doing and haven’t been able to for a while! Enjoy!
Thank you 🙂 x
oh You lovely pair!
I’m so glad that things have improved so much and that life is opening up all over again for you.
‘Dating’ is so important for any relationship.
Our goal, despite getting married this year is to spend more time with our friends separately.
We adore each other’s company but sometimes to the detriment of our other relationships x
I think that’s a great goal 🙂 x
Such great goals – it’s so important to do things together but also have your own alone time and do things you enjoy, going to the cinema is a great one! I must admit I want to do the same and push myself into doing more things alone, I used to a lot a few years ago but I just don’t anymore for some reason, fingers crossed 2020 will be the year I get back to it as well! I’m very single at the moment but I’m open to meeting someone this year aha so I’m going to try and meet more people and say yes to opportunities, Thanks for sharing! x
Hope you get to do more things alone this year too! x
I love the idea of setting relationship goals together. These are some great goals for the both of which will, hopefully, strengthen your relationship and allow you to experience more things together. Or apart! Number 3 is just as important as you need to be yourself and retain your individuality when you’re in a couple. Anxiety has stripped that from me and I won’t go anywhere new by myself, so that’s something I’m also working on this year.
Totally agree. definitely felt like I lost that individuality when my anxiety was particularly bad. I hope you can find that part of you again this year x
This is such a fun idea! I haven’t ever thought about setting relationship goals but I’ll definitely be thinking about some now xx
Hope you do it!
So cute, the idea of resolutions as a couple! I guess it beats ending up doing the same things all the time. My aim is to just be open to different things and places and just saying yes. See where life takes us 🙂
Hayley || hayleyxmartin
Saying yes is definitely a great goal! x
These all sound like really great goals to have as a couple. I think me and my boyfriend definitely need to have a date night planned once a month even though we live together it’s nice to do different things! X
Absolutely 🙂 x
This is wonderful, Jenny. I love the idea of setting some relationship goals like date nights and cooking together. Also doing things separately because then you have something extra and different to share with your partner too. Not strange at all, and that’s something I should definitely do more of this year! xx
Thanks Lisa! 🙂 x
I’d love to visit Silverstone! x
Would definitely recommend going, it’s amazing x
Our main goal is to make sure we have one intentional date night each week and then that we get out of the house without kids once a month.
Great goal 🙂 x
I absolutely love this idea! I think it’s great you’ve chosen to try and do more things individually, I think having that time apart makes being together even more special too! xx
Tiffany x http://www.foodandotherloves.co.uk
Totally agree! x
Relationship resolutions are a great idea that I’ve never thought of! My boyfriend and I are also trying to go out for dinner dates more regularly; it gets so easy to keep saying ‘let’s stay in as it’s cheaper’ so you definitely need to remember to treat yourself. Becca x
Yeah I agree! There’s so many excuses! x
Setting relationship resolutions is something I never really gave much thought to until my boyfriend brought it up a few weeks ago. I absolutely love yours, especially #3 – I think it’s extremely important to devote some time to doing things individually too. We haven’t set any resolutions yet, but reading this post definitely gave me some ideas! Good luck with everything x
Dominika | Into the Bloom
Hope you come up with a few good ones! x
oh this was so lovely to read!
Thank you x
I love these! I think #3 is actually super important, as doing absolutely everything together can end up stifling and make that time seem less important. We haven’t set any goals together yet but I think this will fit really nicely with our imbolc celebrations this week so will see what we can come up with!
Stifling, that’s a great word for it!