Dates are fun! Learning new things about each other, exploring new places and enjoying that romance. Whether you're on your first date or have been together for years, there's that special something about going on a date, but... they can come with some hefty price tags. Especially recently with inflation and rising costs for almost everything. The good news... you can have some amazing dates that cost little to nothing. And often, they can be more meaningful and memorable than that expensive dinner at the most popular restaurant in town. Here's are some ideas for your next date that are sure to bring you closer together while not breaking the bank.  1. Perfect Picnic Spot Sub sandwiches, watermelon, baked beans, and lemonade. Your taste buds and your partner will thank you. You will learn more about each other while sitting on the blanket, indulging in great food and company. Take care of your mind and body with fresh air, sunshine, and peaceful scenery. Picnics allow you and your partner to unplug, save money, relieve stress, and improve your mood. Plan your favorite, easy meal and take your date to your favorite place in town – or country. 2. Volunteer Together Do a Google search to come up with a charity to help. Call them to see what they’d benefit from. Volunteer your time to help organize or raise awareness. Help raise money for their charity, do a bake sale or hold a car wash. Get creative to come up with valuable ideas for them. Plan it for the day, or the month. You never know what you’ll accomplish together during this bonding experience. 3. Raid the Fridge and Pantry Might not be a good one for a first date if your fridge or pantry is looking like a tornado hit, but this can be a fun one even if you only have a few items. Take a look at what’s inside and figure out something that you can cook or grill up. It’s a great way to be creative together, use up some of those odds and ends and hopefully have a great meal at the end or at least something to laugh about together. 4. Pitch a Tent Ah, tents. Is your relationship up for the intense challenge of pitching a tent? Surrounded by stunning nature, you’ll have a fun adventure.  Let the whispering creeks, glistening lakes, and swaying meadows be your mental reset. Take this time to lay by the fire with your partner or cook s'mores together. There is nothing like reconnecting under the stars. Find a place for your tent: a campground or even your own backyard. Enjoy spending time together. 5. Meditate Together A balance of mind, body, and soul is important. Finding that balance will enhance your relationship. It will carry into how you handle situations and how you appreciate and love your partner. Meditation is a great source to improve peace, grow your self-awareness, and learn how to manage your stress. There is something beautiful about sitting or laying with your partner, developing mediation skills together. You will feel closer after your session, ready to take on the day together. 6. Be a Kid Again Bring back the love and laughter from your childhood. Pick out one of your favorite childhood movies and gets your popcorn popping. Find your biggest blankets and work together to make a love fort. Enjoy your snacks and snuggling up with your favorite person – releasing your love hormones. Let your childhood come flooding back as you share it with one of the most important people in your life. Open discussions of your favorite childhood memories, discovering more of who made each of you the person you are today. 7. Keep It or Ditch It? Sometimes it can be hard to let go of things. But with a little help, it may make things easier and you’ll get a few laughs while doing it. Go through your drawers and closets together and figure out what you want to keep and what you've been holding onto way to long. Donate, sell or toss what you no longer need and you'll feel a weight lifted off of you while having fun doing it. 8. Spend a Night Stargazing When's the last time you actually put your phone down and looked up? Grab a blanket and try to find your favorite constellations. If you need some guidance, you can download apps like Star Tracker. Turn up the romance with some special treats and drinks, any maybe even some flowers or a favorite poem. Enjoy building your connection underneath the stars. 9. Go "Thrifting" Ah, a thrift store can make for a fun, and cheap, date. There are different, exciting things you can do at a thrift store. Decide how you two want to do it. Will you pick each other’s full outfits to wear for the rest of the day, or see who can do a full outfit for themselves for the cheapest price? One thing is for sure, laughter and seeing your partner in a simple atmosphere will remind you why there are strong feelings there. Building on the foundation you’ve already set. Get thrifting! 10. Blind Taste Test Blindfolds are a hit for couples. Let’s put it to the test. Get your blindfold and place it on your partner. Give them items to taste – things that you have put together and prepared for this date. Have your partner guess what the food item is. Watching your love taste different foods, feeding them – or being fed by your person – adds a deep, sexual connection. Spice things up. Where will the blind taste test lead you? 11. Go on a Hike Take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Enjoy the peace and rediscover yourselves, surrounded by the beauty of nature – and your partner. Find a nearby location or search for a place you have never experienced before. Grab your tennis shoes, hiking clothes, and head out. Don’t forget to pack your favorite snacks and water. Stop to look at all nature has to offer, the elegance of the scenery. Pay attention to how it feels to be together in tranquility. Where will your hike lead you and your relationship? 12. Play Some Board Games Board games are an overlooked date idea. They are a fantastic way to save money and relax at home – especially for those who work and do activities outside the house. Low key and lighthearted afternoon or evening with your love is always needed. Brew some sweet tea and make finger sandwiches, drag out a favorite board game. Be careful, Monopoly is known to cause major conflict in relationships. With hundreds of board games, you’re never going to tire of this date.   There you have it! Some date night ideas that cost little to nothing, but can result in stronger connections and lasting memories. Looking for more memorable activities to do together? Check out It's a Date which includes 52 memorable activities for couples to do together, plus a keepsake date diary to capture all your special moments.     Any of these ideas also pair great with a good conversation deck. The prompts in these decks keep the conversation going and will help you learn new things about each other no matter if it's your first date or you've been together for years!     Date Deck Go beyond small talk and create quality time together on dates or on-the-go.     Intimacy Deck Become more intimate by learning more about each other and how each of you tick.     Intimacy After Dark DeckEnjoy more nights in with this tool designed to bring more connected intimacy into your life.     Relationship DeckStrengthen your partnership by sparking essential relationship conversations.  

The fairytales lied - and we’re still reeling from the shock!  Just think of all those princess movies that ended after the first kiss.  How we enjoyed the thrill of the chase and the ‘will they or won’t they’ dance.  How we celebrated the promise that two soulmates would live happily ever after! But the fairytales didn’t tell us the full story... They didn’t tell us that relationships need work, energy, and attention! They didn’t tell us that when the honeymoon phase wears off, the chemistry changes! They didn’t tell us that relationships could be so triggering and challenging!  No wonder we can end up feeling disappointed.  But here’s the thing... Regardless of where you are in your relationship, there are practical things you can do right now to make an impact and create happily ever after.  Here are FIVE… Spark meaningful conversations Remember how in the beginning you could stay up talking all night? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.  It’s not uncommon for conversation to shrivel up over time as you get to know each other better. Things change. Once you’ve asked all the ‘who are you’ questions and you’ve exhausted all your childhood stories, you can run out of things to discuss.  What’s more, life is busy. We have hectic work schedules, and by the end of the day, it can feel more comfortable to switch off in front of Netflix rather than have a heart-to-heart! The trouble is a lack of conversation in a relationship is a big problem - because conversations spark a deeper connection together.  When we talk, we keep the lines of communication open. In turn, we’re less likely to make incorrect assumptions about each other. Conversation acts as a check-in to see if we’re on the same page; or whether we’re heading off on separate paths. Talking keeps you connected - even as you go about living your individual lives. That’s why you can have a massive impact on your relationship if you spark meaningful conversation. All you have to do is:  • Get curious about each other.  • Use a tool such as the Intimacy Deck to explore topics you’ve not discussed before.  • Make space to chat together without distractions.  I promise this simple action will bring you closer together.  Bring 100%  You’ll struggle to create a thriving relationship if you only bring 50% - expecting your partner to make it up to 100%.  You can’t expect magic if you go into a relationship half-heartedly. If you’re only giving 50%, you’re holding back. You’re not giving your all. You’re coming in with the expectation that your partner needs to pick up the slack.  You’ll make a deeper impact on your partner and your relationship if you bring 100%.  You’ll have a better relationship too if you decide to take 100% responsibility for what happens between you both.  Despite what you think, this mindset isn’t about carrying an unfair amount of weight. Instead, it’s about reclaiming your power to create the most incredible relationship possible.  If you’re only 50% in, you’ll never know how good things could be. You’ll always be waiting to see what your partner might do.  But choose to be 100% responsible, and then the results are all up to you. There’s no one to blame or nowhere to put excuses. If you’re 100% responsible, you’re not waiting for your partner to bring out the best in you; instead, you know you’ve got to do that for yourself.  Then the most beautiful thing happens… If you bring your best, chances are you’ll draw out your partner’s best.  And if the relationship doesn't work out, at least you’ll know you gave it everything; meaning you can walk away with closure knowing that you didn’t squander a beautiful opportunity.  Make space for date nights Making time for your relationship is so essential in our busy lives.  When you’ve got housework to take care of, errands to run, and kids to look after, it’s so easy to neglect quality time for each other. Don’t!  Getting creative around date night is a great way to give to your partner, create beautiful memories together, and keep your relationship alive.  What’s more, it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune either!  Check out what James from the BestSelf Co. Team and his partner decided to do together.  Date Night Challenge with James from Best Self Co on Vimeo.   Invest in your relationship daily  Monthly date nights are powerful.  They give your relationship an injection of energy and the feel-goods after your quality time together fuels you forwards.  But what about the time in-between?  Whatever we focus on and work on compounds.  And the more actions you take in the right direction, the more you have to compound.  If you want to impact your relationship, think about what you could do every day to strengthen your love. It doesn’t have to be a massive gesture. Instead, you could consider actions such as:   • Bringing your partner coffee in bed • Telling your partner something you appreciate about them • Popping a love note into their lunch box  • Sending an “I love you” text message  • A shoulder or foot rub • Taking care of tasks and errands you know they hate  • Putting away your phone for 100% distraction-free time together • Running a bubble bath etc.  Getting into a habit of daily relationship ‘work’ can make a profound difference in the closeness you feel for each other.  So set yourself a reminder to do something. Use a habit tracker to make your actions autopilot. Not only will your partner feel more loved, but you’ll enjoy the feeling of knowing your efforts are making a meaningful impact.  Fill your own cup first It might surprise you to see that taking care of yourself is on a list of ways to impact on your relationship.  Here’s the thing… I could easily have put this point first.  You can’t pour from an empty jug. You can’t offer what you don’t have to give.  If you’re always giving and you’re not making time to take care of your own needs, resentment for your partner will soon build. And that can become toxic.  Self-care mustn’t be an afterthought either. It’s a priority. Make quality time in your schedule to do the things you love. PLUS, do them without feeling selfish [because it’s not].  Your self-care time is like putting gas into a car. It’s the fuel that energizes and revitalizes, so you’re in a position to give 100% to your relationship.  You’ll find a ton of self-care ideas as well as tips for scheduling quality time into your schedule HERE.  Which of these will you commit to doing? Make an impact and deepen your love Thriving relationships are one of the most rewarding things we get to cultivate.  Moving through life and sharing time with someone you love is THE most beautiful thing.  You deserve to have THE most incredible relationship possible. So use these strategies to make an impact on your partner.  And in the process, enjoy how these shifts make an impact on you too as. That’s the beautiful thing about relationships… they also draw out your best self. 

Meet the Intimacy Deck Packed with 150 conversation starters, the Intimacy Deck is designed to spark the deep and meaningful conversations that bring you closer together. Whether you’re long-term married or just starting out, the Intimacy Deck can deepen your love. Here’s how… Unlock the power of conversation “Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.” - Margaret Wheatley One of the most important things for a successful relationship is to feel deeply connected to another person. We want to feel seen and heard for who we really are. We want to feel that our partner understands us. This is why meaningful conversation is so critical. Talking helps you get on the same page as each other. It helps you feel united, which in turn makes it easier to resolve conflict, connect around your values, and feel that your relationship is growing. In comparison, when conversation stops, that feeling of connection can dissolve. The reasons are many, but familiarity can feel stale and it’s all too easy to get caught up in the autopilot of life. Work piles up, kids absorb your time, and when the evening comes all you want to do is switch off and binge watch Netflix! Goodbye quality time together! Worst still, it’s tempting to feel that you know your partner and therefore make assumptions about who they are and what they’re thinking.We rely on love holding us together [because that’s what the fairytales and romantic comedies promise], forgetting that relationships take work!Good news! There’s a super-easy way to ‘work’ on your relationship… simply commit to a conversation habit. This ‘work’ doesn’t have to feel contrived. Remember the mantra ‘what gets planned gets done’? Get together and choose a time to fit this ritual into your daily routine.Make your conversation time deep talk time. Dig into subjects that help you get to know each other on a deeper and deeper level. Allow curiosity to lead the way and figure out how your partner thinks and feels about various topics. For example, you could talk about: Hopes & dreams Your feelings Your values and beliefs Your wants and needs  And if these deeper conversations feel confronting, the Intimacy Deck has your back! How many times have you wanted to ask your partner something, but you felt awkward or uncomfortable - even embarrassed? The Intimacy Deck asks the questions - so you don’t have to. And with 150 prompts to talk through, that’s a LOT of conversations! How you use the deck is up to you. You can work through a question at a time, or pick a topic at random. And if you’re looking for creative ways to weave this tool into your relationship, here are 10 to get you started. 1. Date night! Do you naturally default to the same topics of conversation on date night? Work, kids, what you’re going to do at the weekend? While these topics are important, things can get predictable if your conversations feel repetitive. The Intimacy Deck helps turn date night into a conversation that lasts all night long! Pick a prompt and see where the question takes you. Perfect for disappearing down rabbit holes you didn’t know existed. Ideal for keeping things fresh and exciting. Designed to nurture intimacy. 2. Before bed ritual End the day with a meaningful conversation by pulling a prompt and talking about it together. It’s a great way to feel deeply connected and close before you drift off to dreamworld. 3. Over dinner Do you have a tendency to fiddle with your phone over dinner? Our phones are so integrated into our lives, often they feel like an extension of who we are. But when the latest notification draws you away from the person in front of you, we forget what’s most important. Get in the habit of putting away your phone and pulling an Intimacy prompt instead. It’s a simple ritual that increases connection and stops you from being overly distracted by the digital world. 4. When you’re feeling disconnected Still seething after a fight. Too tired to strike up a conversation. Feeling bored and frustrated and lacking energy? Again the Intimacy Deck can help. Pull a card and let the question focus your attention. You never know… once you get talking, you may not want to stop! 5. Send a text Want to move beyond emojis and small talk in your text messages? Pick a card, take a photo, and send to your beau. It’s a great way to spark connection when you’re apart - even strike up a conversation that continues when you’re back home. 6. Long-distance love Long-distance love is tough. The Intimacy Deck is here to keep you talking and feeling close - even when there are miles between you. Hold virtual date nights or start your conversation with a prompt - anything goes. 7. At work? Here’s an interesting example of the Intimacy Deck in action. Check out this video and discover how one wedding photographer uses intimacy questions to inspire incredible photographs of loved-up couples on their big day. 8. On a journey Planes, trains, and automobiles! Long journeys offer the time to dive deep into a conversation. In fact, those conversations can be just as important as the trip itself. Take some prompts with you and chat away in the car, at the airport, or in the cafe during a layover. Not only does a good conversation make the time go faster, but it can make you feel more connected too. 9. On vacation You’re in a different place with different weather, and no work to think about! Escaping the day-to-day routine is one of the best things about a vacation. When you’re surrounded by new things and you don’t have to worry about the everyday stuff, you discover new things about yourself and your partner. The Intimacy Deck can help ignite these discoveries by sparking conversations with your partner that go somewhere. 10. Reflect on your conversations You could write the date that you answer the question, or write in your journal about how the conversation made you feel. This can be a powerful way to track how your discussions help your relationship grow. Get Your Intimacy Deck Today! One of our top-sellers, the Intimacy Deck has rave reviews. Life is all the sweeter when we’re surrounded by people who we love. The Intimacy Deck is here to get you talking - so you can take your relationship to the next level. Whether you've been married for years or you’ve only just met, use this deck to spark deeper connections by exploring conversations you’ve likely never had. Get yours today!