January 2024 Couples Tip Annual Relationship Review
The energy of the new calendar year brings with it the desire to begin anew and the hope that through reflection, review, and intention, we can find more meaning, connection, and joy. Couples that regularly assess their relationship constructively are more satisfied and intimate. By doing an annual relationship review, we can reassess and commit to our relationship goals, confront relationship obstacles, and prevent minor problems from ballooning to insurmountable ones.
As you look back on your relationship journey through the previous year, use these questions with your partner to identify things you learned and set relationship goals for the current year. We recommend that you journal your answers to these questions on your own first, then share your answers with your partner. Note this list is skewed toward what worked and what created positive emotions. When you are the listener, commit to being curious and invite your partner’s truth. When speaking, stay with what you want and state positive needs.
Looking Back
- What helped you feel loved and safe in the previous year?
- What precious relationship memory do you have from the previous year?
- How did you grow as an individual in the previous year?
- How did you grow as a couple in the previous year?
- What did you learn from your partner in the previous year?
- How did your partner make the previous year better for you?
- In thinking about your relationship in the previous year, what is one thing you would say goodbye to and not continue to do in this new year?
Embracing the Future
- What is one goal for growth you’ve set for yourself for this new year?
- How will you contribute to your relationship in this new year?
- What do you appreciate about your partner’s approach to your relationship that you know you want to continue in this new year?
- How would you like to grow as a couple in this new year? (Example: Listen to each other better)
- List the ways you intend to meet your objective and how you will measure your success.
- Make a date to review the outcome.
Enjoy and keep dancing with the person you love,
Allie Caffyn & Murray Dabby, The Couples College
