You don’t often see or read about how to make a man feel loved and special in a relationship. I always encourage men to treat the women in their lives better, to be romantic and honest, and all that fun.
But the truth is, it goes both ways. A successful relationship requires consistent effort from both teammates. Teamwork makes dreams come true, right?
To give you ideas on how to do your part, here are 10 things you can do to make the person in your life feel special and loved.
1. Compliment him.
Many women may be surprised, but it’s rare for men to receive genuine compliments. Whether it’s because society has taught us to reject compliments or because of insecurity, men don’t always respond positively to compliments.
But compliments don’t have to be just physical. In fact, you’ll find that he smiles when you mention something attractive about him, like his smell, how good of a father he is, how hard-working he is.
We often praise women, but it’s time to flip the script. Acknowledging your man with genuine affection will make him feel appreciated.
2. Ask him for advice.
Stereotypically, when women talk to men about their problems, they aren’t necessarily looking for a solution. She wants a listener. But men’s instinct is to provide solutions.
So ask him for advice specifically. Doing so makes him feel useful, wanted, and even desired. This will help him demonstrate his problem-solving skills and make him feel like he’s contributing to your life.
3. Wear clothes you know he loves.
You’ve probably heard: Men are visual creatures. But he’s not just good-looking. It’s the special touches you add and the time you spend on your appearance that will make a special impression on him.
If a man sees you wearing something you like, he will realize that you are making an effort to look extra good for yourself.
4. Give him your full attention.
Yes, women are better at multitasking than men. Checking your email may still get his attention, but it shows a lack of intent on your part.
Instead, stop what you’re doing and give him time, even when he’s talking to you or just trying to get some kind of approval. Show him that he has your full and complete attention.
5. Make sure he feels safe to vent his feelings to you.
Men are often told to “be strong”. This is incorrectly translated to mean unemotional. I fully believe that expressing emotions requires more power than suppressing them, but the constructors of society often tell us otherwise.
This means there are few safe places for men to open up and vent their troubles, no matter how badly they want to. If you offer your man a safe place to vent, it will be a welcoming gesture of love and affection.
6. Give him some love.
This is simple, but often overlooked. Sometimes it’s a peck on the lips or a hug, but men want to feel like they’re doing their part.
Little things like holding hands, walking arm in arm, and resting your head on his shoulder let him know that he’s protecting you even when you don’t need his protection. I can feel it. Protecting you is often a man’s way of showing love to you.
7. Show him that he is a priority.
We all have busy lives with friends, family, work, and hobbies, but try to include him as much as possible. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but making your man feel special should be your top priority.
Time is our most valuable asset because once we spend it, we cannot get it back. It is also the most important gift we can give someone. So understand how important he is to you and put him first.
8. Lift the tab.
I think men should definitely pay for the date. It doesn’t necessarily just have to be the first date, but ongoing dates as well.
However, the waiter won’t be offended if you hand over your card from time to time without him noticing. It will show him that you appreciate what he has done for you and that you are going to take care of him too. After all, what’s a good relationship without switching things up every now and then?
9. Give him a long hug.
Men often communicate physically through body language and arm hugs. It’s a language he instinctively understands.
By being physically close, a woman can send a very important message of love to a man. Holding him just a little longer and hugging him just a little harder will give him the expression of affection he’s looking for.
10. If you appreciate what he does for you, tell him.
Romance and relationships are a two-way street. A good man will give to you without expecting anything in return, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have to do anything. Even though you may be physically present, he needs to hear from your mouth how much you appreciate him.
Tell your man that you value having him in your life. It’s that simple.
james michael summer is an award-winning dating and relationships blogger who has amassed over 30 million readers in just 18 months. He has written and lectured around the country on topics such as chivalry, romance, and happiness, and has been featured repeatedly on news corners, talk shows, and mainstream radio.
This article was originally published at: James M. Summer. Reprinted with permission from the author.