Relationships always go through ebbs and flows - and it's natural that when the shine of a brand new date starts to become more familiar, you get fewer butterflies and more why-haven't-you-unloaded-the-dishwasher moments!
However, making sure that the perfect guy you met on those dating sites in Nottingham lasts is probably pretty essential to your happiness.
The thing is, there isn't any right or wrong.
Some couples do things pretty differently from others, so the crucial factor is finding your romantic happiness and then putting in the effort to make sure it sticks.
The Best10 dating experts have put together this quick guide to remind you of some great strategies to light a fire under your love life if things are starting to feel a bit... samey?
When the online dating sheen has worn off, you'll probably spend a bit of time in a happy little bubble safe in the knowledge that you've no need for the best free dating apps in UK anymore!
Still, if you're in it for the long haul, you need to work together to reach your aims.
What should those aims look like? Ok, so they don't have to be:
Getting married in a 100-metre sprint.
Having twelve kids in the next two years.
Becoming overnight millionaires and retiring to the Bahamas.
Sure, we're exaggerating a bit, but still - GOALS MATTER!
Do you want to spend more time together as a couple or schedule more intimate date nights around your chaotic work schedules? Would you like to pour some energy into your physical fitness and start attending a gym class together?
Is there somewhere in the world you've always wanted to go, and you can start saving up for the trip of a lifetime together (we hear you, the Bahamas).
Working as a team is the cog that makes a great relationship last, so work out some things you'd like to make happen, and get to it.
We get it; so many people cringe at the thought of raking over their deepest darkest desires - but if you've met your soulmate on the dating sites in Nottingham, don't you want them to know what you're really like on the inside?
Ok, so some fantasies should strictly remain in your locked box, but sharing some factors of your lives can give you a whole new insight into why you fell in love in the first place.
Think about:
Childhood experiences, favourite memories, things about your life that you'd wish for in your own relationship.
Emotions, being honest when you've had a rubbish day, speaking up when something is troubling you, and not being afraid to discuss differences of opinion.
The little things that bring you joy - even if it is a hidden passion for S Club 7, anything that makes you smile should be something you share with your partner!
Here's why. Authenticity matters. Honesty is valuable. Openness makes a relationship work, even when there's a bit of a stumbling block on the way.
If you've met on one of the best free dating apps in UK areas, you already know what music you like or the job you do - but take it one step further and be confident that you're perfect just the way you are.
Those honeymoon days where you can't bear to be apart, nobody wants to hang up first, and you spend the whole night listening to the beautiful sound of snoring down the phone don't stick around forever.
Nor should they!
Keeping your life in balance, especially if your relationship is squeaky fresh, is crucial.
That means staying in touch with friends and family, not letting anybody else down because you're spending every waking minute with your partner, and retaining the sense of self that makes you who you are.
It's very easy to fall off the wagon and be so immersed in a new date that you let other things slip by. Trust us; it's a recipe for disaster.
Personal space isn't just about comfort and personal choice - it's also vital to help us process emotions, make sound judgements, and clear our heads away from those heady emotions that make a new lover so intoxicating.
Making room for a new person in your life is fantastic, but don't cut out other things that matter to you to free up more space than they need.
It sounds like an awkward valentines card, but hang with me for a second!
Affirmations repeat what we already know and make sure it's loud and clear in our consciousness. For example, if you love someone or feel strongly for them, saying it out loud and reminding them of their importance in your life is an easy way to keep the fire burning.
Try having a date night and challenging each other to come up with three things you like about the other or sharing five positive feelings you have that you'd like to share.
Gratitude and affection go a long way, and verbalizing the value of your relationship is a compelling way to affirm that you are fully vested in the connection.
Even if it seems impossible, sooner or later, you will have a row. That's not a bad thing, either - it means you're adjusting to changes and overcoming conflict!
However, if you want your relationship to last, you can't pull out a rusty knife from behind your back every time you're feeling hurt or disappointed.
Take a deep breath, explain your perspective, be honest, and take responsibility if you're in the wrong or need to apologise for a misunderstanding.
Cutting, spiteful comments sound a death knell for otherwise healthy relationships, so never be tempted to say something you know will hit your bae where it hurts to score points in an argument.
You can't solve some problems overnight. They might take time, effort, concessions and compromise.
If you can overcome those things, you're on the right path to nurture a relationship that will still be blooming brightly in the years to come.
