How To Use Social Media To Relate To Your Partner
© Susan Preston, http://flirtingwithfitness.com
All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Just about everybody uses some kind of social media platform these days. The newest site is Pinterest and I am loving it. Pinterest is all about pictures to connecting with others by expressing your interests and showing your personality in a visual form. I was just finishing on Pinterest when it occurred to me, what if we spent even half as much time on relating with our partners, as we do with our friends, potential clients and clients…can you imagine how much better our relationships would be?
Five Steps to use Social Media to Relate to Your Partner:
Be Genuine:
It is so important to be yourself in your relationship. Don’t try to be something with your partner that you are not. It will never work and you will only be putting a strain your relationship that will turn to resentment later on. Embrace who you are and bring the “Best” you to your relationship, they will believe or not, respect you even more.
Pay Attention:
You need to pay attention to your partner, like you do with others on facebook, etc. Don’t interrupt them, don’t pass judgment, don’t make it all about you…Make it about them! Really listen attentively, to what they are saying…not what you think they are saying. Pause and reflect on what you are hearing so that you really understand and are connecting with your partner.
Be Involved:
When they are done speaking, engage with them. Talk to them about what it is they are doing. What are their goals with social media? Is it just to be online and meet people, make connections, share their knowledge or perhaps to do those things while building their business? Get involved in what it is they are doing. Give your input and ideas in a kind and compassionate way.
Give Freely:
Devote yourself to your partner …give them your undivided time and your attention. Do it whole-heartedly and make them feel that they are special, appreciated and that you value them. Let them know through your actions…they are significant in your life. Don’t expect something in return.
Share:
Share yourself and how your day went with your partner just like you do on your social networks. Ask them how their day was and what can you do to help make their day better if they haven’t had a good one. Also, share with them your knowledge and wisdom that may help them with something that they may be having a challenge with.
If they are just new to social media, you might want to share some of your ideas and experiences you have had. Don’t try to minimize what it is they may or may not know about social media. Offer to assist them in anyway that you can.
If they are just starting to get their business out on social media, perhaps you might want to set a date night to help them with it. The more that they understand what it is that fascinates you to spend a lot of time on your social networks, the more they may be willing to help you with the kids, etc. when you are trying to play catch up, so that you can enjoy some one on one time with them later on.
These are five things that most of us do everyday very naturally, when using social media. You will be amazed at the wonderful results and connection that you will have when applying them to your relationship with your partner. Let it become a natural part of your everyday lives. Mix it up and stir some fun in along the way. Private message them on facebook and ask them how their day was. Text them words of encouragement, etc. Let them that you are thinking about them.
I would love to hear your comment below what other ways do you use to stay connected with your partner, thanks!
Is your mindset keeping you from growing your business? If you would like more help with this or if you are having challenges in any of your relationships, Susan would love to help. Click on 
I had to laugh at this one, Susan. I am guilty of being on Facebook while on the phone with my beautiful Tina. She’ll be telling me a story about her day, and I’ll start laughing at something on my screen. Bad Steve! Getting better, though. : )
I think a lot of us are guilty of that one from time to time. I believe that would fall under #2: Pay Attention [grin] Thanks
Thanks for putting this perspective into my brain. I tend to utilize social media at all hours of the day because I own my own business. I need to remember my relationship is even more important than the number of hits I get on my website. Thank you! (I am sure my husband will say thanks too)
You are so welcome, Mollie. Very true, sometimes it can be a challenge balancing a business and a marriage and other relationships. By applying what we do everyday on our social networks to our relationships, It can really make a huge difference. Thanks, I hope it helps 😉
Wonderful post Susan – I loved how you compared the on-line relating that many of us do with great ease (and often!) to the more off-line relating that can sometimes be overlooked
Great reminders to actually check in with quality!
Moira Hutchison recently posted..Life Mapping: A Vision of Success
Thanks, Moira! Yes, I so agree it is so important to actually be present in our relationship whole heartedly. I hope that you are having an Amazing week
A great post which highlights the need to communicate effectively in all our relationships but our closest ones especially. My husband doesn’t use any form of social media at all. (Bear in mind that we live in rural Ireland where socially and culturally most men of my husbands age are still living in the 1970’s!) But we do phone each other during the day and he calls home for lunch. And I wouldn’t want to change that for all the technology in the world!
Carolyn Hughes recently posted..The Uniqueness of You.
Thanks, Carolyn! I love the fact that you and your husband talk on the phone everyday at lunchtime. it is so important in staying connected with our spouse or partner.
WOW! Such valuable tips on how to connect with our partner! You are right, if we’d spend as much time and effort as we do on social media, with our partner….I’m sure we’d see a great improvement! Thanks so much for all you do and share, Susan. You are such an inspiration.
Alexandra McAllister recently posted..Sharing Simple, Healthy And Delicious Recipes That Are Easy To Make
Thank you so much, sweet Alexandra. I appreciate you
What a wonderful way to look at all our relationships! Yes, we are so quick to give the best of ourselves to our social media encounters when the person who deserves our time, attention, and niceties is the one we live with! Thanks for the gentle reminder. I think I’ll Facebook my husband right now
Martha Giffen recently posted..Proven Ways To Increase Your Online Visibility
You’re so welcome, Martha! I love it when you wrote you were going to message your husband on Facebook. I am sure you put a smile on his face 😉 Thanks!
Love your posts! Wonderful tips on keeping your relationship fresh. xo
karen p recently posted..Have Camera, Will Travel.
Thanks, Karen. I am so glad that you stopped by and took the time to comment. I appreciate you
Great tips as always Susan; being connected with the one we desire to build a relationship with is very, very important. Thanks!
Olga Hermans recently posted..When Life Throws You A Curveball
Yes, it is so important to be connected with the one that we desire to build a relationship with. Well said! Thank you
Susan, I love this analogy of comparing our relationships on social media with the relationships we have with our partners. Putting those ways into play will definitely give great results! Great post!
Sherie recently posted..Are You Living in Fear of Being Ordinary?
Thank you, Sherie! We all put so much effort and time in staying connected with our friends, clients and potential clients using social media…why not use those techniques to grow our relationship with our spouse or partner. 😉
It’s amazing how much social media has become a part of our daily lives. I use a variety of SM methods for keeping in touch with the people who are important to me. Mostly it’s about knowing what works for each person – there are some people who will always return a text but not a tweet. Others are the complete opposite. And I have a few people who are more likely to reply to a FB message than an email. Who would have thought email would ever take a back seat to any other way of messaging??
Nisha recently posted..Healthy In A Hurry: Salmon With Curry Yogurt Sauce
Yes, it is amazing Nisha how much social media has become a part of our daily lives. I actually like to send messages on Facebook better then email. Everyone who knows me well and wants to get in touch with me quickly just messages me [grin] Thanks!
Wonderful article, Susan! It’s so true that if we spent time connecting with our partners the same way we do with folks on social media, our relationships would be so strong! I think just making sure you have connection time really makes the difference. Thanks!
Lisa Birnesser recently posted..Staying Positive in a Stressful Busy World
You are so welcome, Lisa! Yes, I agree…making time to stay connected with your partner is so vital to having an Amazing relationship! Thanks, sweetie
You are so welcome! I really enjoy your work!
Lisa Birnesser recently posted..Live in the Moment: Why Worrying Doesn’t Work
Thanks 😉
I so agree with “Private message them on facebook and ask them how their day was. Text them words of encouragement, etc. Let them that you are thinking about them.” We are in constant communication with others throughout the day, it’s important we do the same with our partners. Thanks for the great tips and reminders!
Lisa Frederiksen – BreakingTheCycles.com recently posted..The Dance of the Family Disease of Addiction
You’re welcome, Lisa! I so agree with you when you wrote, “We are in constant communication with others throughout the day, it’s important we do the same with our partners.” Thanks! I hope that you are having a Fabulous week
This is such a great example of how to improve your relationship. Like we go on social media. I do spend way more time there than building my relationship with my husband.
Liz recently posted..9 Non Negotiables Of Social Media For Business
Thanks, Liz! That is definitely an issue that a lot of people have, especially those who use social media as a vehicle to build those relationships with our potential clients. it can be very time consuming, but so worth the relationships that are built…like ours 😉 It definitely is about getting that balance!
What a great way to think about relating to your partner and improving your relationship. I’ll have to try that with younger couples. Nice work Susan.
Barbara Peters recently posted..Three Secrets For a Loving Relationship to Last a Lifetime
Thanks, Barbara! I would love to hear the results that the younger couples get using these methods. Have a great night
I very much include my partner in my social media activities. Although I can’t clue him in on everything, there’s just no way I do update him on my blogging accomplishments throughout the day and any exciting news that comes in.
Jamie recently posted..The town I live in: San Pedro
I love it Jamie. I am sure that your husband loves being a part of your online life. Thanks
Good post. Always good to find ways to promote intimacy, especially in the age of social media, tweets, texts, etc!
Thanks, Sally! Absolutely! I usually set time out throughout the day to reconnect with my husband and when I do I unplug from all electronics, even if it is only for 5 or 10 minutes, it is so important to give him my full attention. I also text him when I am out to let him know that I am thinking about him. 😉
What a great analogy between your partner and social media! I have shared your wisdom on Google Plus
Anita recently posted..Overcoming Obstacles
Thanks, Anita! I appreciate you sharing this on Google+. It was so great talking to you yesterday, my sweet friend 😉 P.S. Just think, we would not have connected and became great friends if it had not been for social media!
Great tips Susan! I always find it amazing how much easier it is to relate to someone online than to the person in the room with you.
Helena Ritchie recently posted..Happiness, a Healthy Mind, and Your Self-Confidence
Thanks, Helena! A lot of people find it much easier as well. I hope that you are having a wonderful week!
Great post, Susan. It hasn’t really been something I’ve thought about, but good communication and good relationships do have the same foundations and follow the same principles whether you are online or in person.
Marie Leslie recently posted..Five great reasons to use Google Voice
Absolutely, Marie! I find if we spend even a fraction of the time and use these steps that we do staying connected with others on social media, that it makes a huge difference in our relationship with our spouse. Thanks!
We both work at home but sometimes tweet each other since our computers are in different areas of the house. Great tips to remind us to not let our significant others get lost in the shuffle!
Becky Fisher recently posted..Really – Should You Create a Test Page?
I love that Becky, tweeting to each other while you work. That is a great way of letting your spouse know and vice versa that you are thinking of them. Thanks
You always give such great advice on relating to others Susan! Thanks for sharing how we can relate using social media.
Dr. Sarah David recently posted..Stop #5 On the Road to Brand YOU for Social Media Marketing Success ~ Brand Consistency!
Thanks, Dr. Sarah! I love using social media to build relationships off and online. Have a Fabulous week!
Loved the tip: Pay Attention. This one tip alone could solve a multitude of problems in your relationship! Great article Susan.
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Absolutely, Susan! That is why when my husband and I take a coffee break together and go on the screened porch that we leave all electronics inside so we are paying attention to what the other one has to say 😉 Thanks!
Such an amazing advice from a masterful Relationship coach ~ Susan. Love all the points. At times we are so busy to stop and pay attention, such a great reminder. Thank you Susan, wonderful!
Solvita recently posted..Learn The Art of Receiving and Positive Inner Calm – 3 Simple TIPS
You are so welcome, my beautiful friend! Yes, stopping to pay attention to what our partner has to say is so very important, even if it is only 5 minutes of undivided attention 😉 Thank you!
Susan, I like this line, “Embrace who you are and bring the “Best” you to your relationship”. What a great post. I am working on perfecting these things daily.
Thanks, Sara! Yes, I believe that it is so important to bring the ‘Best’ you to any relationship. So many times, people are looking to find what the other person isn’t being or doing, but when we can look at ourselves 1st, I think then we starting seeing things in a much more positive light.
Great advice Susan. I love this analogy and thanks for the reminder.
Thanks, Vicky. I appreciate you.
Thank you Susan for everything!!! You are great and I so need to learn this better
I must admit too I need to pay better attention 
You’re so welcome, Jan! I think a lot of us need to be reminded regularly to just stop and give our loved ones that added attention. Thank you, I so appreciate you.
Susan, This is truly about how to be a present partner in the 21st century. FB and Twitter etiquette is pretty well understood, but I agree that we should be that mindful about courtesy and priorities when interacting with our partner as well. Appreciate your insight.
Thanks, Amy! Being a relationship mentor, I see how a lot of people are spending more time nurturing their online relationships, rather then trying to find the balance and put their focus on their offline ones, as well!
Have to laugh but working in a restaurant I see so many couples out to eat. Many of them sitting across from each other updating statuses, texting, watching videos or doing whatever without talking to each other. Heck some of them are texting each other across the table.
Michael McDonald recently posted..The Top 10 Reasons To Join My Team
That is funny and at the same time sad. At least those who are texting each other from across the table are paying attention to each other
When I go out to eat, I bring my phone and keep it in my pocketbook in case of an emergency, and focus on who I am having dinner with 😉 Thanks!
Susan, a wonderful comparison to bring how one relates in Social Media to the own interpersonal relationships, very well said! Thank you for sharing:)
Mary Pougnet recently posted..Long Term Effects of Chronic Inflamation
You are so welcome, Mary! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Have a wonderful week!
Call me old fashioned, but I’m worried that the art of conversation is going to disappear. It’s hard to get into a philosophical conversation with someone whose eyes wander over to their phone’s screen every five minutes to decide if that incoming message is more important than the present conversation … 😉 Thanks for raising the bar, Susan!
Sharon O’Day recently posted..Financial Change: The Rider and the Elephant
I so agree with you, Sharon. That is why when my husband and I go out to dinner, etc. all electronics are put away. I carry my phone in my pocketbook in case of emergencies. Thanks
Thanks for your post Susan. I think it is so easy to take our partners for granted. I love the reminder and I’m going to start giving more than a sentence about how my day went!
Gretchen Pritts recently posted..Grow A Business Through Good Times and Bad
You are welcome, Gretchen. Yes, in this day in age with all of us leading such busy lives, I think it is vital to make our partners a priority and to let them know that they are a significant part of our lives. I think he will really like that 😉 Thanks!
You definitely brought up some great points here Susan. With the drastic increase in the amount of time people are spending on Social Media these days, the tips you provided are useful in terms of furthering the connection with our partners/significant others. When used correctly, it can be quite powerful in terms of connecting.
Thanks, Edmund! I agree with what you wrote, ” When used correctly, it can be quite powerful in terms of connecting.” So very true! Have a great weekend