Search Dating Articles: Search  
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationship in a Rut?

Is the honeymoon over? Is the spark gone? Here's how to bring back that lovin' feelin'

By Karen Sherman, Ph.D. Updated: May 22, 2009
Hitchedmag.com
RATING THIS ARTICLE
Average (18 votes) stars Rate it: Sign in to rate!
Question: My partner and I seem to be having a disconnect. For example, I try to initiate sex, but she rejects me. I sigh and roll over, but she still offers no response. It wasn't like this in the beginning. What's the problem and what can we do?
 
Answer: Unfortunately, most couples haven't learned the proper expectations of a relationship. Perhaps the biggest eye-opener is that in order for you to have a thriving relationship, you have to be "mindful" of it. You're in a committed relationship because you love each other, but if the relationship is going to last for the long run, there are going to be bumps in the road and skills that are needed to handle those bumps.
When you were in the initial phases of your relationship, lovemaking was something you both desired and enjoyed. Thank you for raising this concern; from my practice I know many others have the same issue. Yes, even sex can become one of the "bumps." And what makes this matter even more complicated is that most couples have a difficult time talking about sex since it opens up a sense of vulnerability.
Bring It Back
“When you were first dating, you made your relationship the priority.”
When you were first dating, you made your relationship the priority. The good news about a committed relationship is that you can feel more comfortable with one another and relax a bit; the bad news is that you become too complacent and the relationship gets put on a back burner. In other words, it's likely not personal.
You stated, as the initiator, that you were always being turned down by your partner, and you felt rejected and let her know by turning over and sighing. While your actions may have felt like you were screaming volumes to her, it is quite possible that she really didn't get it at all.
Open the Lines
Communication has two parts -- the sending part and the receiving end. If you're trying to send a signal and it's being turned down, the way you are expressing your need may not be coming across. As difficult as it may be, try to be more direct with her.
It is also very understandable that if this is going on for a while, you would start to experience a sense of no longer having the same kinds of feelings for her as you once did. However, it's also possible that this is the result of you closing down because you are hurt.
Relationships go through periods of ups and downs.
“There will be rough spots. The trick is to know how to handle the difficult times.”
There will be rough spots. The trick is to know how to handle the difficult times. When you notice that you've gone off track, look at the relationship to see what needs adjusting. Some couples benefit by doing a regular check-in with one another, perhaps bi-weekly, so that nothing builds up.
Aside from physical intimacy, having emotional intimacy in your relationship is very important. One of the ways to gain this is by being open with one another and expressing your needs. Before you decide that there's nothing left in this relationship, try talking, without attacking, about your feelings and needs. You may be very pleased with the intimacy you gain on several levels.
Want to read more articles from Hitched? Check out hitchedmag.com
Leave a comment COMMENTS50 COMMENTS
1-10 of 50 First | < Prev | Next > | Last
A Yahoo! Contributor
So you just want her to roll over and give you sex? What have you been doing to excite her for her to want to give you sex? Do you romance her? Take her out? Buy her flowers? Prepare a romantic dinner for two? Or a change of pace and bring in something raunchy to play with. Sometimes as the relationship progress we think we no longer have to do these things but we still do. It&#39;s about showing your partner how much you love them and desire them and how much fun the two of you can still have together. If you do all of that and she still isn&#39;t interested then you may have some serious problems in your relationship.
A Yahoo! Contributor
I think if my partner is rejecting me since there was no fighting or arguing between us recently, I would start asking my partner questions. I really do not think relationships between two people is what keep the sex going. I really thing other outside factor could contribute to not being in the mood (i.e. problem at work, depression, stress about life, etc...). I would really try to find out if she need me to help than assume there is a problem with the relationship. If my partner is not willing to talk about it, I would give her space for a while and if she still rejects me after that then I would look into my relationship.
A Yahoo! Contributor
My husband and I are often in this situation - he initiates, and I&#39;m not interested. We both work long hours, but when he&#39;s done working, he either watches tv or pursues his interests. I on the other hand, do laundry, cook dinner, clean up after dinner, pick up the house, and make sure we both have what we need for the next day. By the time we get to the point of going to bed, I&#39;m not only exhausted, but also resentful, because I feel like he has one job and I have two. Sometimes it&#39;s not the romantic dinner, the flowers, or the candy that turns on the romance, but the simple task of washing the dishes or folding the laundry.
A Yahoo! Contributor
My wife stopped sleeping with me a few years ago and told me it was my snoring. I went to a M.D. and found a treatment to correct it. I came home very proud I found a solution and she imediately became upset not wanting me to go through a potential hurtful treatment! I feel just as strong now as I did a few years ago, she doesn&#39;t want me period. It is much easier to go to bed alone not anticiapting sex than assuming you may have it and it never arrivives. Otherwise we get along just great. Not all relationships are 100% and ours is certainly not close to it, but we both love each other as each our best friends and entrust each other with very sensitive issues and concerns we each experience. Sex may happen some day again or it may not and until then it is taking care of all the major responsibilities of our home, each other, our health, children, our pets, friends, our jobs etc. If sex resturns then we will have a wonderful relationship/if it doesnt return and it is important then we may have to seperate at a point that is good for everyone involved.
A Yahoo! Contributor
No one should live in a loveless relationship. That&#39;s just unhealthy and not fulfilling. Yes, there may be a probelm, but being able to open up about it and being approachable are very important signs of maturity and affection and concern for one another. You both definitely have issue&#39;s of communication. Set a time to discuss it without anger or resentment and make sure resolving or a solution is the outcome. Even if this means to do it involves counseling. Get it immediately and do what you can to help initiate this to show you care.
A Yahoo! Contributor
Romance her? Take her out? Buy her flowers? Tell her how nice she looks? I did all those things for about seven years. I lost 42 lbs, worked out daily, and went from a little overweight to fit and trim. Still nothing. Anytime she asked for something I did it. If she needed help with a project I helped. Nothing. Three months ago I found out why. She had someone else. Turns out that someone else was apparently a lot of fun but wasn&#39;t financially responsible enough to provide her a car and a home so she stated with me. Never again. If my future &#39;other&#39; can&#39;t respect my feelings I&#39;ll quickly and quietly show them the door. I&#39;ll make an effort but it will be short and sweet, no more seven years worth of trying to fix someone that doesn&#39;t want to be fixed.
A Yahoo! Contributor
Hello, So, I&#39;m married and I believe that if the woman don&#39;t want to have sex is mostly because she doesn&#39;t like it as much as you and as time goes by she is just getting accomodated with the security that a marriage provides. I&#39;m a woman and I&#39;m married and I do have this problem but it is reverse. My husband will have sex with me, but he seems to only wait for me to iniciate. Even if I do many nice things to get his attention, still he is slow at initiation. It has been like this since the begining,but as time went by I started to feel bad, wondering if he likes the sex as much as I do. Other than that our relationship is great.But I always tell him that if sex ever wears out I would be able to live a sexless life, he always say that it won&#39;t happen. Still, I would like for him come out of the expected through me on the bed and make me feel more desired.
A Yahoo! Contributor
hello, my situation is really different my husband is 40 and i&#39;m 28 i&#39;m no longer into him; I really feel that i dedicated 8 yrs to him of my life but I&#39;m ready to move on.
No Photo
It seems like whenever my expartner and I had sex it was because we were getting along really good or fighting. But when I needed to talk about my feelings he would get the wrong message or he will bring up issues from the past that wasn&#39;t so good. We could never have sex and hold each other. It always ended up in an arguement. I love making love to my ex and the little connection we had at the time. But he won&#39;t let me get closer. He&#39;s never made me feel I belonged to him. After 15 years and 2 children you would think marrige was a possibility. But it&#39;s over now.
A Yahoo! Contributor
I have been married to a wonderful man for 16yrs now, together 18. We&#39;ve raised 5 kids together. And now is supposed to be the good times!!!! Or so I thought.... We both work full time jobs, and ya our lives are just hectic!!! We try to do like a date nite once a week or somethin, but sometimes falls thru. Our sex life was awesome when we first started out together, now I&#39;m lucky if we wants to play once a week. Drives me crazy, I have to initiate evertime I want too. This includes all kinds of toys, lingerie, candlelight dinner, soft music, I mean the works........ So mostly I get a lot of excuses, and at first I sympathized w/ him. but now I&#39;m just angry. Ya, know life is too short to love like that! I cant stand it no more..........
1-10 of 50 First | < Prev | Next > | Last
imageLEAVE A COMMENT

You must sign in to leave a comment

Dating Articles  |  Success Stories  |  Browse By Location  |  5-Star Safety  |  Gift Subscription  |  Send Feedback  |  Site Map
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.  |  Legal  |  Help
NOTICE: We collect personal information on this site. To learn more about how we use your information, see our Privacy Policy.