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Give the relationships in your life a little Spring clean.

The clocks have gone forward and we’re into May which means it’s time for some old-fashioned spring cleaning! In addition to giving your wardrobe a clear out, why not do use this revitalising season to give all the important relationships in your life a little bit of a spring clean too? It’s a great time to let go of the things that are no longer beneficial to your relationship, and instead give it a boost with something new.

Here are 5 tips to help you freshen up the relationships in your life.

1. Assess
Look at where your relationship is at the moment. Take a step back and assess whether you want to continue on this path you are on. Reflect on any issues that have been swept under the rug over the last several months, and think about whether or not these are deal breakers or issues that can be resolved with some good old communication.

Just as if you were cleaning out your wardrobe, look at what you want to keep, store or throw out. This is the time to cut down on relationships that no longer serve you, support you or make you feel good. Maybe you have a friend who you find drains and leaves you withdrawn? It might be good time to put that relationship into storage and focus that attention on friends who do motivate you and want to see you grow.

2. Declutter
In every single relationship, each person brings their own baggage. It’s inevitable and completely okay. It’s when the baggage has accumulated together over time and is left in messy piles or shoved in the corners of cupboards which can lead to issues that haven’t been addressed and are instead hidden with more baggage. This can leave your relationship feeling cluttered and weighted down when you don’t communicate directly.

For example, do you sometimes feel you or your partner brings up the same thing over again? If so it’s likely that one of you doesn’t feel like the issue has been resolved. If this is the case, now is the time to communicate and solve it with an outcome you are all happy with.

3. Refresh
Imagine your relationship as a house. Are you seeing your partner or friend in a negative light, or slightly differently than what you once did? If so, it might be time to give the windows (your eyes) a clean to rid your view of any smudges and marks that can distort your outlook. Make an effort to see the positives in your partner or friend and focus on the good attributes they bring.

4. Gratitude
After you give your wardrobe a spring clean, you’ll probably look at your clothes and feel grateful for what you have. And hey, you might have came across an item that you completely forgot you had, but are very happy to have rediscovered it. The same goes for our relationships. Everyone we meet has something to teach us, and though some get stored away to focus on stronger relationships (or to make a little bit more room for new ones), you are lucky to have the good people that you do in your life. Whether you have hundreds of friends or only a couple, know that you are blessed to have them. Take a moment right now to tell those important to you how much you love them.

5. Maintenance
You’ve given your relationship a spring clean and boosted it with fresh, new energy… now what? Now make sure you both commit to maintaining the relationship. Keep a look out for each other, have each other’s back and support one another. Don’t let the mess build up again, and keep going through the baggage every now and then to keep things neat and tidy all year long. Continue communicating, setting healthy boundaries, finding balance, and showing each other gratitude and love.

If you feel like you need a little support or guidance along the way, consider counselling or family therapy, don’t allow resentment to build up and get over powering. At Bright Light we will help you if you are thinking of staying together, separating, or going through a divorce. We will support you if your relationship has ended or if you’ve lost someone close to you. Couples, individuals, families, children and young people, same sex partners, blended and extended families… whoever is important in your life, we are here for you.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you want more information or are considering counselling or family therapy. We are here to listen and support you.