How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY
Fairlady|March/April 2024
It's easy to get complacent in a long-term relationship. Before you know it, your partner is little more than your roommate. Here's how to shake things up.
CHARIS TORRANCE
How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY

You know what they say: Falling in love is the easy part. It's staying in love that is hard. The first spark that we experience Y so intensely at the start fades pretty quickly when you're peeing with the door open and arguing about which series to watch. In fact, research shows that monotony can creep into a relationship as early as the very first year together.

The good news? That spark isn't dead - it's just dimmed. And all it needs is a little TLC to get it glowing red hot once again.

We chatted to Shelley Lewin, relationship development specialist and author of Uncomplicated Love: A Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Thriving Relationship, and sex coach Nicki Brivik about how to break the monotony.

Girl, you're in danger

'Monotony in a relationship is like a familiar tune playing on a loop: it's that sense of sameness and predictability that emerges over time, Shelley says. At first, it's your favourite song you just can't stop playing it. But after a while that earworm starts to drive you a little insane. 'In long-term monogamous partnerships, monotony often creeps in because routines become, well, routine.' 'I always say: love is like a comfortable tracksuit, but desire is a pair of high heels and lingerie,' Nicki says.

After a while, you naturally crave comfort and you stop making an effort. When starting a new relationship, there's an initial excitement in discovering everything about your partner.' But we often get stuck in a routine where we feel the need to reveal everything, share everything and be everything for the other person. The irony is that knowing everything can become boring - and it's definitely not good for your sex life. Spontaneity tends to take a back seat as we become overly familiar with each other.' Routine, in its essence, is not the villain in this story. In fact, a healthy routine can provide stability and comfort in a relationship.

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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة March/April 2024 من Fairlady.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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