Let’s Ditch the Resolutions: Be a Couple that Sets Playful Exploratory Goals for the Year

New Years’ Resolutions can (sometimes) create a lot of pressure.  But, what if New Years Relationship Goals could be without pressure and instead joyful and exploratory? Here are some ideas for creating fun relationship goals with your partner that can create intimacy and pleasure each year.

Part I

Create a date with your partner and have a discussion about the past year – What were the highlights?  How did you grow together and individually?   What were your fondest memories?  What were your challenges?  What do you wish you had done more of?  Use that information as some great ‘date-data’ for the part two of the discussion – Creating some fun New Year’s Exploratory Ideas (Goals without the pressure).  

Part II

Have a New Year,  “Exploration Ideas Date”. Normalize silliness and imagination as bonding tools.   Start the discussion with ideas around categories of ideas you want to put on the bucket list for 2026! Anything goes.  Get creative.  Creative date ideas? Sexual intimacy exploration ideas? Communication goals? Maybe vacation ideas? What about Exercise ideas or Quality time ideas?  Sky’s the limit.  Have a date or two or three to discuss and play, play, play with your ideas.  

Part III

After that, how do you want to implement your ideas or keep them in front of you? Do you want to create a vision board? Maybe you could put your fun ideas on a Top Ten list on your fridge or bathroom mirror?  Maybe you decide that they’re on a Google Keep list or a Task List on your shared calendar? Maybe you have another fun idea or way to dedicate your time and attention to pursuing these creative adventures. Hmmmm?  Above all else make it non-pressured and non-punitive.   Is there an idea that becomes unreachable this time around? Decide if it’s because it’s no longer important or because it just belongs maybe somewhere else on the timeline. 

Above all else if this seems like a fun idea to expand and engage your relationship with your partner, then enjoy!  Happy 2026 and beyond.

In gratitude