Little things that make your relationships better

[psychomath]

Inspired by the thread in Chat about boring things that made your life easier - what small things have you found made your romantic/platonic/family relationships stronger?

I once read that instead of apologising to people when you feel like you're being a burden you should thank them for being patient and supportive. It turns the focus of the conversation into a positive one and means they feel appreciated rather than further obligated to try and reassure you. So easy to do (and in retrospect quite obvious!) and it's improved some of my friendships immeasurably.

I add events to my calendar for things that have happened in my friends lives like losing a loved one, graduations, marriages (my circle wouldn't normally celebrate anniversaries). This way I can send a message of celebration or let them know I'm thinking of them.

I say thank you to my partner when he does anything around the house (he doesn't live with me but is here 50% of the time).

I fully expect him to do the dishes after I cook or take out the trash every now and then. I don't think he deserves any praise for contributing to chores. However, i appreciate that he does it unprompted and I want him to feel good about it, so I figure a kiss and a thank you goes a long way in reinforcing this behaviour.

What a lovely idea for a thread.

I find it useful to have a specific place to write down gift ideas, so when someone says they'd love to try go-karting, and it's 100 miles from Christmas or their birthday, you have something to refer to when the big dates come round. I have a secret, specific pad for this!