5 Simple Gratitude Practices

Gratitude is the fastest way back to connection.

"If you’re trying to reconnect in your empty-nest years… it doesn’t have to be big. Small practices change everything."

Practice 1: The One Appreciation:

Share one small thing you appreciated about each other today. Examples: “Thanks for taking the trash out.” “I loved your laugh tonight.”

Practice 2: The 2 Minute Touch:

Sit closely together and allow your hands or knees to come into contact for two minutes. Remain silent and focus solely on your breathing. Although this may feel a bit awkward, the act of touching fosters an energetic connection between you.

Practice 3: Weekly Check-In Questions:

Pick ONE question each week:
What felt good between us?
What’s one thing you want more of?
How can I support you better?

Practice 4: Evening Pause

Before bed, ask your partner a few questions to connect:

What went well today
What can we let go of tonight

Practice 5: 3 Minute Gratitude Reset

Write 3 things you are grateful for
Write 1 thing you are grateful for about your partner You can share all of them or just the one about your partner.

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IF YOU'RE TRYING ALONE

If your spouse isn’t ready…you can start gently:

Send one appreciation text
Soften your tone
Begin rituals alone-they will feel the shift

If you’re the only one trying right now,
here’s what often happens when you start gently — not forcefully.

At first, nothing looks different.
Your spouse may not respond.
They may stay guarded or distant.

But something does change.

When you lead with gratitude instead of frustration,
the emotional temperature in the relationship lowers.
Your spouse stops feeling analyzed, blamed, or pushed.

Safety begins to replace defensiveness.

Over time, small things shift.
Conversations feel a little less tense.
Silence feels less heavy.
Your presence feels calmer, warmer, easier to be around.

Your spouse may not say anything at first —
but they feel the difference.

And often, that’s when curiosity starts.
They soften.
They engage just a little more.
They respond in ways they didn’t before.

Not because they were convinced —
but because they felt safe again.

This doesn’t mean you carry the relationship alone forever.
It means you’re creating an environment
where connection can return naturally.

And even if your spouse takes time,
you become more grounded, more peaceful, more clear.

You don’t lose yourself by starting alone.
You strengthen yourself — and often, the marriage follows.

WHY THIS WORKS

Gratitude lowers defensiveness
Safety invites engagement
Calm energy feels approachable
Change is felt before it's acknowledge