They say time is the best gift you could ever give someone because you are essentially sharing a piece of your life with them that you can never get back. Seeing as how my primary Love Language is Quality Time, I tend to agree. So, how do you make time for a relationship when you’re being pulled in a hundred different directions?

One of the most common complaints among couples is that their partner doesn’t put enough time or effort into the relationship to the point that it has become completely one-sided. 

We find time for the things that matter most to us in life. If you want to prioritize your relationship, you have to start finding time to focus on your partner. 

Set Your Priorities

We all have a finite amount of time, and the way we choose to spend it says a lot about what we value. In a world where we’re constantly juggling work, family, social obligations, and personal interests, it’s easy to let our relationships take a backseat. But if a loving partnership is important to you, prioritizing what truly matters is essential.

First and foremost, assess your commitments and identify the other non-negotiables. Maybe it’s your job, your kids, or a personal passion. Once you’ve established these, look at your schedule and find where you can carve out time for your relationship.

It’s about making deliberate choices. If your relationship is a priority, then treating it as such in your daily life is crucial. You might have to sacrifice a few hours of Netflix or delegate a work task, but the reward is a deeper, more meaningful connection with your partner.

This is also about setting boundaries. Sometimes, saying “no” to less important engagements can free up time for the people who matter most. This doesn’t mean neglecting other aspects of your life, but rather finding a balance that allows you to invest in your relationship. It could be as simple as scheduling a regular date night or as significant as planning a vacation to reconnect.

Organize Regular Outings

We’re all busy with work, travel, and family responsibilities; if you can’t fit a date into your calendar every week, then make up for it by whisking her off for a weekend getaway.

We all experience ruts in our relationships from time to time. Things start to feel monotonous and boring. Sound familiar? Try getting out of your routine. Instead of going to the same places all the time, try that spicy new spot that just opened up. Attend a pop-up art exhibit. Learn a new sport or skill together. 

The point is, if being in love is important to you, then you have to make time for a relationship in your life. If you need to delegate some projects to ensure you’re out of the office on time every Friday night, then do it. 

A good way to encourage more date nights is to buy season tickets somewhere. If it’s already paid for, and you know you have an empty box waiting on you, you’re more likely to find time to go.

And yes, if necessary…pencil in intimacy. It’s not sexy to put it on the calendar, but if that’s the only way to guarantee it happens, then write it in big letters and underline it in red. 

Forget Your Phones

Being a busy person in a relationship often means maximizing the little time you’re able to spend together. The key word of Quality Time is quality. It’s impossible to feel in tune with someone who is more focused on iTunes. When you’re together, try to put away distractions and focus on one another.

We’re addicted to our devices enough as it is. If you find yourself reaching for your devices during quality time more often than you’d like, try instituting a no-phones rule for certain activities, like during mealtimes. This removes the temptation and allows you to focus on one another more easily.

From sleep to sex, studies show there are countless reasons why leaving your phone outside of the bedroom at night is a good idea, as well. You should also think about banning them from coming out too often on date nights. In the early stages of a relationship, you don’t always get to spend the amount of time with your significant other that you want, so you have to make the most of the time you do get. 

Carve Out Time for Communication

Whenever possible, go to bed together at the same time and include communication as part of your nightly routine. Living together can make it easier to take your time together for granted, but a nightly check-in can serve as a reminder to appreciate one another. While you’re getting ready for bed and snuggling in for the night, use that time to connect.

Even if you’re in different parts of the world, take a few moments in the evening to check in with one another emotionally. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and perhaps there’s something to the old cliche, but it’s so much nicer to stay connected from afar. Facetime is a beautiful invention, but regular phone calls and texts throughout the day are nice too.

Ask one another the following questions each night before bed.

  1. Is there anything on your heart you want to talk about?
  2. Did I do anything today that upset you?
  3. What was your highlight and lowlight of today?
  4. Are you looking forward to and/or dreading anything about tomorrow?
  5. What do you need from me to make tomorrow a good day?

Time is our most valuable resource. It’s finite and we never know how much of it we have left. How do you want to spend it? If falling in love and building a partnership is important to you, then you have to make time for a relationship in your world.

The good news is, with Executive Matchmakers, we take most of the time-consuming work out of dating. You don’t have to weed through dating apps or attend every (un)Happy Hour in town. We introduce you directly to exceptional, like-minded, relationship-ready women.