Every Man Secretly Hopes His Partner Will Do These 10 Things For Him, According To An Expert
It really is the little things that matter most.
thorl5 from Pexels, Canva Pro When it comes to relationships, it's true that men have quiet hopes for what their partners will bring to the table. Think of it like a savings account. You make a deposit and over time those deposits grow into something meaningful. But if you only make one, the balance never really changes. The same is true for love, consistent deposits build emotional wealth between two people.
Those emotional deposits are exactly what many men say they want most from their partners — small, thoughtful actions that strengthen connection and keep the bond thriving. Here are the small things every man secretly hopes his partner will do for him
1. Listen to the little things
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There are only a couple of minutes in a relationship where you build trust and learn how to keep it.
For example, you come home after a long day at work and your partner wants to talk to you about the children. You can simply say, "I'm tired," and walk away — or you can stay and listen to your partner.
This may not make a huge difference at the time but, in the long run, it will. Men want to know that they are heard, and lending an ear for even a few minutes is important.
2. Make an effort to be positive
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The small things can make a world of difference. And the best part is that your partner will certainly notice, especially when you make even the tiniest effort to see things in a positive light.
When your partner hears you making that effort, they will smile. Remember, it's not always what you say — it's how you say it that really matters.
3. Don't criticize or get defensive
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Learn to have a discussion about your problems, rather than immediately criticizing your partner. Don't get defensive. Instead, take a beat and see the situation from another point of view.
Men really want their partner to accept responsibility when necessary and control their defensive behavior. Doing so will only make your relationship stronger.
4. Tell him how much you love and appreciate him
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Regardless of your love language, everyone needs to hear this every now and then from their partner.
When you tell your partner how much they mean to you, it does wonders for strengthening your bond.
No one ever gets tired of someone telling them they love them or how much they appreciate them. The more specific you can be, the better.
5. Take care of yourself
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This means getting plenty of rest, making good food choices, and exercising regularly. Take breaks during the day and don't be too hard on yourself.
It's true that we need to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others. So make a point to take excellent care of your physical and mental health.
6. Be empathetic
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Don't just listen to your partner, listen to your partner with empathy, particularly when they share a stressful event that happened, whether it was at work or any time during their busy day.
When you respond with compassion, your partner will feel like you really care about them.
7. Be open to new experiences
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Part of being in a relationship involves opening your mind to new experiences and hobbies that you may not enjoy, but your partner does.
Accept that you will need to do things your partner likes, not just what you like.
Try out your partner's ideas with enthusiasm, as it's really good for your relationship. It also keeps the relationship on equal ground.
8. Manage your phone time
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The next time you have dinner together, leave your phone and other gadgets behind. It's not only rude to be on your phone the entire meal, but it detracts from building a stronger bond.
Instead, spend time talking to one another. Ask questions and take a genuine interest in what your partner has to say. Your phone will always be there afterwards.
9. Be willing to work on your relationship
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All relationships go through highs and lows. This is to be expected. But the most essential part of making sure a relationship stays afloat is putting in the work every single day.
Try and work things out rather than throwing in the towel. Don't jump to conclusions. It's alright to agree to disagree.
10. Support his dreams
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It's easy to forget about your dreams when you're in a relationship. Work, the house, and the children tend to take over your time and energy.
But pay attention to what your partner's dreams and ambitions are. Then, tell him what your dreams are. Your dreams don't have to be the same, but you do need to be supportive of them.
Just as it's never too late to deposit into your savings account, it's never too late to deposit into your emotional bank account. So, start today. This will help rebuild the friendship, which is the foundation of your relationship.
Lianne Avila is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a practice in San Mateo, CA. Her work has been featured in Psych Central, BRIDES, and Prevention.
