Hi Reader,
My daughter and I love to walk along the coast. There's a house we pass that always has a colorful display of encouraging cards along the fence, beautiful messages for anyone walking by to read or take home. This week she sent me a photo of myself reading one of them (I included it at the end of this newsletter).
It's one of my favorite parts of our walks. A simple gesture from a stranger who wanted to spread a little hope and encouragement. These acts of kindness matter, whether they come from the people closest to us or someone we'll never meet.
Real love lives in the everyday actions we take toward each other. This month, I'm sharing resources for creating stronger connections, whether you're building a life with someone, dating and wondering where it's headed, or learning to love yourself.
1. π Small Things Often: Ingredients for a Happy Relationship
This Gottman guide covers the daily habits that keep couples close. The research is clear: grand gestures matter far less than the little things you do regularly. Couples who stay together turn toward each other in tiny ways, over and over.
Inside the guide, you'll find:
- How to say goodbye in the morning (and why it matters)
- Ways to express admiration and appreciation
- Weekly rituals that strengthen your love
- How to have a stress-reducing conversationββ
2. π Blog: Your Relationship Has an Emotional Bank Account
Every interaction with your partner either adds to your emotional bank account or takes away from it. Kind words, affection, and attention are deposits. Criticism, dismissiveness, and ignoring are withdrawals.
Gottman's research found that one negative interaction is equal to 20 positive interactions. It takes 20 kind exchanges to make up for one harsh comment. Couples who make it? They deposit far more than they withdraw, building a reserve that gets them through the hard times.
3. π«ΆπΌ Printable Affirmation Cards
How you treat yourself matters more than you might think. When you're kind to yourself, you're better at setting boundaries, handling disappointment, and showing up for the people you care about.
Being compassionate with yourself reduces anxiety and builds resilience. It helps you bounce back from setbacks and face challenges with confidence. And it frees you from constantly comparing yourself to others or seeking validation from them.
These affirmation cards are designed to help you practice kindness toward yourself. Print them, cut them out, and put them somewhere you'll see them: your bathroom mirror, your car, your desk, etc. They also make good journal or meditation prompts.
4. π Is This the Real Thing? Relationship Assessmentβ
Dating someone new and wondering if this could go the distance? Or maybe you've been together a while and want to know if you're building something solid?
This 120-question assessment is based on Gottman's research on what makes relationships last. It looks at trust, commitment, emotional closeness, shared values, conflict management, and intimacy. You'll get a score that shows whether your partnership has the qualities that predict long-term success. Going through the questions can also help you see what's working and what needs work.
Love shows up in the quiet, everyday ways we care for each other. I'd love to hear from you: Tell me about an act of kindness that someone did for you that made you feel like you mattered.
Wishing you more of those moments this month.
Take good care,
Megan
If these newsletters and resources have been helpful, I'd love it if you'd leave me a review. It helps other people find the support they're looking for as they work toward healthier relationships with themselves and the people they care about.
βMeganHaaseLMHC.comβ
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