So, not too long ago, I talked to a friend about her trip and she told me she was dating someone. She also told me, how he had organized their first date, an eco-friendly one at that!
Apparently (and I’m loving it) couples are making their dates more sustainable, and ofcourse I thought, I have to share this and hope more and more couples will choose sustainable (but still fun and romantic) dates!
Let’s start with some ecolovely (I know it’s not a word, but maybe we should make it one) dates
Enjoy Outdoor Adventures Together
Going on a hike with your partner, walking through nature, feeling the excitement of discovering new things, and enjoying being active. It’s a great way to really connect to nature and your partner, far away from everyday life. Why not try:
- Picnicking: Pack a basket with your favorite snacks and find a picturesque spot for a romantic picnic.
- Biking: Go for a bike ride together, whether it’s through the countryside or around your city.
- Kayaking/Canoeing: Paddle along rivers, lakes, or even the ocean for a peaceful and adventurous outing.
- Camping: Spend a night under the stars, roasting marshmallows over a campfire and snuggling up in a cozy tent.
- Rock Climbing: Challenge yourselves with some rock climbing at an outdoor climbing gym or natural rock formations.
As the day turns to night, your outdoor fun can become a romantic and magical evening of looking at the stars. Lying under the big, star-filled sky in a quiet place, you’ll get to see the beauty of the universe, making your bond even stronger.
Eco Dates at Home
Having a candlelit dinner at home with organic meals is a cozy and green way to enjoy each other’s company. Cooking with organic stuff not only tastes better, but also helps the planet.
Here are some other fun eco-friendly activities to try at home:
- Make candles together: Find a cool class/YouTube video online and learn to make some new together. It could be anything from decorated candles to combining colors. It’s an easy activity you can do, while still getting to know the other.
- Bake using organic ingredients: Spend a chill afternoon baking a yummy treat. Choosing ingredients that are kind to the Earth makes it even sweeter.
- At-Home Spa Night: Pamper yourselves with a relaxing spa night at home. You can make your own sugar scrubs and face masks using natural ingredients like honey, oatmeal, and avocado. Light some candles, put on some relaxing music, and enjoy each other’s company.
- Stargazing: If you have a backyard or balcony, you can do some stargazing together. Download a stargazing app to help you identify constellations and planets. You can easily combine this with the other ideas!
Eco-Friendly Dining
For a special date night, try farm-to-table restaurants. They focus on organic, seasonal, and ethically sourced food. Choosing plant-based meals can also cut down your carbon footprint and support sustainable farming.
Or, explore wine or beer tastings at places that care about the environment in how they make their drinks.
You could alsor try a vegan restaurant. In my experience, they do not only care about the (mostly awesome) taste of food, but also about the earth.
And to be honest, my best dining experiences have been plant based or vegan, they just really know how to combine the divers flavors of vegetables, with herbs and spices and a good glass of red wine. Oke oke, maybe a couple…
You can also try cooking classes that teach you how to use biological ingredients. This way, you learn to make yummy, eco-friendly meals and get to know each other.
Volunteering as a Couple
Now, I know what you might be thinking – volunteering? But hear me out, because this is more than just your average weekend activity. It’s an experience that can truly enrich your lives in ways you might not even expect.
You can help by building homes for those in need, helping out at a local soup kitchen, or volunteering at an animal shelter, the sense of fulfillment that comes from lending a helping hand is truly unbeatable.
And when you’re doing it with the person you love, well, that just takes it to a whole new level.
Volunteering as a couple can also strengthen your bond in ways you might not expect. You’ll learn new things about each other as you tackle challenges together, support one another through the tough times, and celebrate the victories, big and small.
And let’s not forget about the memories you’ll create along the way. From the hilarious mishaps to the heartwarming moments, volunteering together will give you plenty of stories to cherish for years to come.
Here are some ideas, local and abroad:
- Soup Kitchen or Food Bank: Spend a weekend morning helping out at a local soup kitchen or food bank, sorting donations, preparing meals, and serving those in need.
- Animal Shelter: Offer your time at an animal shelter by walking dogs, socializing with cats, cleaning kennels, or assisting with adoption events. It’s a rewarding way to help furry friends find their forever homes or at least give them some well deserved fun time.
- Community Clean-Up: Organize or join a community clean-up event to help beautify parks, beaches, or streets in your area. It’s a simple yet impactful way to contribute to a cleaner environment.
- Wildlife Conservation: Volunteer with wildlife conservation projects abroad, such as sea turtle conservation in Costa Rica, elephant conservation in Thailand, or wildlife monitoring in Africa. You’ll work alongside experts to protect endangered species and their habitats.
- Teaching English: Volunteer to teach English abroad in countries where it’s in high demand. You could work with children, adults, or even monks in monasteries, helping them improve their language skills and future prospects.
- Environmental Conservation: Join conservation projects abroad focused on preserving ecosystems, planting trees, restoring coral reefs, or combating climate change.
How to Build a Healthy Relationship?
When you are dating, you might want to take it to the next level. But it could also be that you are already in a relationship and you want to keep it healthy, or even make it a healthier relationship. But, how do you do that?
When it comes to building a healthy relationship, whether you’re starting out or looking to strengthen an existing one, a few key practices can make a big difference:
- Communication: Keep the lines of communication open, honest, and respectful. Listen actively and express yourself clearly.
- Trust and honesty: Be trustworthy and transparent with your partner, and expect the same in return. Trust forms the backbone of a strong relationship.
- Be respectful and supportive: Treat each other with kindness, respect, and support. Celebrate achievements and offer encouragement during challenges.
- Spend quality time together: Make time for each other regularly to nurture your connection and deepen your bond.
- Conflict resolution: Handle conflicts maturely, with empathy and a willingness to find solutions together.
These principles can help you lay the groundwork for a healthy and fulfilling relationship with your partner.
But what if you are not in a healthy relationship at the moment?
How to Reconnect With Your Partner?
When you feel like you’re out of touch or disconnected with your partner, you can feel like you lost a bit of yourself. You can really feel less energized, feel a bit down or really agitated (All the f*ing time) we probably have all been there at some point.
So how can you try and fix that?
- Have an open conversation with your partner about feeling disconnected and your desire to reconnect.
- Spend uninterrupted time together doing activities you both enjoy.
- Consider a digital detox to create space for deeper connection without distractions.
- Show gratitude for your partner’s efforts and qualities that you admire.
- Rediscover hobbies or interests you both enjoy to reignite the spark in your relationship.
- Listen attentively to your partner’s thoughts and feelings, validating their experiences.
By trying these steps, you’ll at least do your part and hopefully inspire your partner to do the same!
