Make 2021 the year in which you resolve to create stronger and deeper relationships with friends, family members, and other loved ones. 

This year, set these easy relationship-related goals for yourself:

Social distancing measures and imposed quarantines are making staying connected with loved ones harder than ever. If you’re feeling this way, simply make a resolution to reconnect (and stay connected!) this year with friends and family you feel you’ve lost touch with in some way. Schedule regular calls or texts where you can chat about life updates, follow up when they tell you about exciting news, or shoot them a quick photo when you see something that reminds you of them. Though it may seem small, consistent interactions like these can help re-establish and continue a connection. 

Sometimes, the best way to show someone you care about them isn’t with grand gestures or gifts. Make a resolution to perform a small act of kindness regularly for different friends or family members. Send them a sweet note in the mail, pay them a kind compliment, or offer to lend a hand with a tough task. These small gestures show loved ones you’re thinking of them and hoping to make their day just a little bit brighter!

Couples are often more fun and playful in the early stages of a relationship. However, this playful attitude can sometimes be forgotten as life challenges start getting in the way or old resentments start building up. Keeping a sense of humor can actually help you get through tough times, reduce stress and work through issues more easily. Think about playful ways to surprise your partner, like bringing flowers home. Playing with pets or small children can also help you reconnect with your playful side.

Maybe you kept up communication with your loved ones throughout 2020, but still feel as though some of your relationships aren’t as strong as they used to be. If this is the case, it could be that, while your communication efforts were there, your efforts to listen and respond weren’t. In 2021, set a resolution to be a better listener to your friends and family. 

It can be easy to forget, but one of the most important relationships we have is the one with ourselves! In 2020, if you let self-care fall to the wayside, make a resolution in 2021 to do the opposite. Prioritize self-care in a way that reflects your interests and needs, and set aside the time to actually carry these actions out. Start by practicing small, but still important, habits, like implementing a healthy diet and getting a full night’s sleep. 

Other people help make our lives satisfying but they cannot meet every need. Find what interests you and become involved. Healthy relationships have room for outside activities.