Do you consider yourself romantic? Or, do you struggle with the idea and feel like cringing? Romance is a good thing! Learn how to be more romantic here.
Romance is a beautiful thing. When you’re new in love, even the cheesiest of gestures can feel so romantic. But as the relationship ages, awkwardness starts to set in and the cheesy ‘you-complete-me’ lines start to diminish. Now that doesn’t mean you love your partner less. It only means your infatuation has passed over and you’re now back in your senses. However, it’s a good idea to learn how to be romantic without being cheesy, so you can keep that honeymoon period alive for a little longer.
So how can you be romantic and express your feelings without being cheesy to the point where you have to curl your toes inside your shoes as you say something?
Well, there are ways.
If you feel awkward to walk down a street holding a bouquet of flowers or wearing a t-shirt that says “I’m with Stupid!” fret not, because love doesn’t always have to be cheesy or corny. [Read: 25 really romantic ideas to make your lover melt]
First things first, what is romance?
It is all hearts and flowers? Do you have to make big proclamations of love in public? Is it about grand gestures? Well, it can be, but it’s not always necessary.
If you Google the actual definition of romance, it tells you that it’s a “feeling of excitement associated with love,” or “an emotional feeling or strong attraction towards another person.” So, if we’re going to by the actual definition, you don’t really have to do anything to be romantic, you just have to have the feeling!
Of course, if you want to show your partner that you’re feeling this way about them, you need to take some action.
The range of romantic actions is broad. It can be something as simple as saying “I love you”, or it can be something as grand as buying a huge bouquet of flowers and having them delivered to your partner’s place of work. It’s about what you’re comfortable with but it’s also just as important to know what they’re comfortable with too.
Many people complain that their partner isn’t romantic enough, but sometimes being overly romantic can be enough to make your toes curl up. Find the happy medium! [Read: 9 Most effective ways to be a more romantic guy]
Romance can dwindle over time
Keeping the romance alive in any relationship can be tricky. When you get past those first few months where all you want to do is see each other, do sweet things for one another, go on awesome, inventive, adventurous dates, and, of course, have lots of awesome, inventive, adventurous sex, things can start to go downhill.
But if you understand how to be romantic with your partner, you’ll keep the spark of romance alive.
Usually, as your relationship works out and gets better, the effort you put into being romantic with your partner often dwindles.
It’s funny really. The longer you date someone the stronger your relationship becomes, the more you fall deeply in love with them and appreciate them. But yet, most of us think it’s not necessary to display affections of love once we’ve won our partner over.
If you’ve been going out with someone for 10 years, they are far more likely to be a significant and important part of your life than someone you have gone out with for 10 weeks. Yet the 10-weeker gets all the good stuff.
They get you at your best, when you willingly make the most effort. You put the most thought into how you can impress them. When you wine and dine them, buy them gifts, tell them how attracted you are to them and so on. [Read: The 15 ways you can make your girlfriend feel loved and needed]
Why you need romance in your love life
Romance is all about making someone you like, or your partner, feel loved and special by doing unique things for them. Without it, you run the risk of making your partner feel insignificant and unimportant to you – even if that’s not even close to the truth.
Therefore, you must have romance. Every relationship has to have some level of romance, even if you’re not really the lovey-dovey type. Even the smallest amount of romance can go a long way in making a relationship successful.
How to be romantic without being cheesy
If being romantic is a way of letting your partner know that you still love them, and letting them know that you depend on them and need them, then being romantic is easy.
You simply need to be romantic in your own way and if you can do that you’re definitely being romantic no matter what gesture you go for.
To get you started off on the right foot, here are a few ideas on how to be romantic. Use your own ideas and modify them to fit your needs. [Read: How to show someone you love them using more than just mere words]
1. Learning how to be romantic is in the little things you do
Love is in the details, we’ve all heard that but hardly a few of us ever do anything about it. If you want to be romantic, learn to be selfless.
Go out of your way to do something special for your sweeter half, if you know that it would bring a pleasant smile on their face. Do something unexpected at times.
If your partner is late for a big meeting, pick out their clothes and place them neatly for them to wear. Maybe your partner wants to pick up a new book or has to head out late in the evening, so start your car and wait for them on the driveway to give them a lift. [Read: A sweet story to understand unconditional love better]
2. Give your attention
When you’re out with your partner, don’t ignore them, especially when you’re with others. Just because you’re having an interesting conversation with someone else doesn’t mean you should neglect your partner. Instead, involve your partner and make them feel like they’re the center of your world.
3. Talk about your feelings
Yes, this seems rather obvious at first. But how often do you ever come home at the end of a long day, sit close to your partner and talk about your day?
And how often do you ever just spend a lazy Sunday afternoon cozying up and talking about the good old days when you first met, about each other’s likes and dislikes and about how special and important your partner is to you? Signs of affection may mean a lot in love, but staying connected plays an important role too. [Read: Lack of communication in a relationship & why it signals the end]
4. Compete with each other
Competition works in two ways. If you let ego get in the way, you’ll hate each other after a friendly fight. But if you respect each other, a bit of fun and games can bring both of you closer together and bring in a lot of laughs too.
Play games, be it a pillow fight, a board game, or a game on the console. Compete with each other, and congratulate each other. There are no losers here.
When you’re done playing, both of you will feel happier, more relaxed and cuddly, more in love, and a lot more affectionate towards each other. [Read: 15 fun sex games for couples to play together]
5. Take breaks together on a regular basis
If both of you are leading busy lives away from each other, go away on a vacation or a little getaway a few times a year to rekindle the together times and the romance.
Even an overnight getaway will do just fine. Take time to isolate yourselves from the world, because it’s the only way to realize how special both of you are to each other.
6. Create memories to look back on
Memories last a lifetime. There’s nothing in the world that can feel more romantic and romance-inducing as perfect memories.
As time flies, we forget those stolen glances and those special moments that are so full of love. Create memories often, either by snapping away your cherished moments or by videotaping it.
Can you imagine how wonderful it would be to watch a happy anniversary surprise or a funny prank a decade later? Romance doesn’t always have to be about love, at times, happiness can be just as romantic. [Read: How to fall in love like you’re in a fairytale]
7. Be nice to each other!
This is especially when both of you are out together. When you treat each other with love and respect, you subconsciously feel better about yourself and the relationship. And when someone’s nice to you, you can’t help but be nice back in return. This is the reason why perfect first dates are so romantic.
Go out of your ways to make the other person feel special no matter how long you’ve been in a relationship with each other. It’ll make every moment feel so much more romantic and beautiful. [Read: Chivalry and damsels in distress]
8. Show off your love
Love is experienced between two people, but is best experienced when the world knows all about it. As much as love may be a private moment, we’re still humans with the need to feel better about ourselves. Your partner may not care about public shows of affection, but don’t stop indulging in it.
Make proclamations of love in public or surprise your partner by having flowers or gifts delivered to their workplace. It may be embarrassing, but it always feels good to be the lucky one who’s getting showered with attention.
If you don’t like displaying your love in the open, buy little inexpensive gifts for your partner when you go shopping by yourself. It shows that you think about your lover all the time, and it really is a very special and romantic gesture. [Read: Facebook official relationship: Is your guy ready for it?]
9. Hug your partner regularly
Or kiss them when they least expect it. Have you ever felt an overwhelming rush of affection towards your partner?
Don’t stop yourself when you feel love well up inside you. If your lover’s working or cooking, walk up from behind and give them a warm hug and a kiss for no reason at all.
When you hug your lover and rest all your weight on them helplessly, it’ll make your partner either laugh out or feel protective about you. And let’s not forget, it is a really romantic way to say ‘I love you’. [Read: Easy tips to be happy in a relationship all the time]
10. Add in a little humor when learning how to be romantic
Tease each other all the time. Have fun, play little games, and pull each other’s legs and cuddle at the end of it all. The more you laugh and have a good time with each other, the more love and romance you’ll bring into the relationship.
Sometimes, it’s alright to be a child and indulge in silly games with each other. Ever watched a cute couple pillow fight on the telly? You can’t help smiling, can you? Indulge in the same silly things, and you’ll truly know how to be romantic. [Read: 12 types of humor and how it affects relationships]
11. Cater to the needs of your partner
If your partner seems tired and a little lacking in energy, why not treat them? When they come home from work, have a nice meal ready on the table, buy their favorite cake or snacks, and pamper them a little.
If your partner seems stressed out, tell them that you understand them and give a massage to help ease away some of that tension.
Simply being mindful of how your partner is feeling outside of the relationship and doing what you can to help is the pinnacle of learning how to be romantic.
12. Listen and take note!
Far too many people don’t really know how to listen. They hear words, but they go in one ear and back out the other. Listen to what your partner is telling you and take it on board. That means you can use that information to surprise them in pleasant ways later. [Read: 10 Ways to be a better listener in your relationship]
For instance, if your partner tells you they have a presentation at work on Monday, remember that detail and send them a “good luck” message just before the presentation. Then, perhaps have some flowers waiting when they get home or their favorite meal.
The fact that you took note, listened, and remembered is super romantic and they’re sure to appreciate it.
13. Have regular date nights
It’s easy for life to get in the way and before you know it, the romance has gone out of your relationship. To help stop that from happening to you, or at least reduce its effects, have regular date nights and never rearrange or cancel them!
These nights need to be a priority for both of you, because it’s about spending time together. You don’t have to do anything major; you can just go out for a meal, a few drinks, or even the cinema, but it’s about being with one another. [Read: The best 50 free date night ideas when you want romance on a budget]
14. Send some sweet texts
When someone is having a long day or they’re just going about their business in a monotonous manner, receiving a cute message is a great way to put a smile on their face.
Send a random text in the middle of the day, telling them how much you love them and appreciate them. It’s not cheesy, it’s cute! However, don’t do it all the time otherwise it really loses the shine!
15. Focus on experiences, rather than gifts
It’s easy to think that if you want to be romantic you have to buy a big gift or endless bunches of flowers. That’s not the case. Gifts are nice, for sure, but they don’t always say what you want to say.
Sometimes it’s just a quick throw-away gesture and not something which really means anything. After all, anyone can buy a gift.
To make it really special, focus on experiences instead. Rather than buying flowers, surprise your partner with a picnic in the park. Do something you’ve both always wanted to do. Don’t always focus on gifts and assume that’s what romance is – it’s not!
16. Appeal to what’s important to them
It’s really not hard to find out what your partner loves. They’ll talk about it all the time. The things they care about the most and what they’re passionate about will come across loud and clear.
All you have to do is remember those things and do something that will help them in that way. If your partner is writing a book, read them chapters and give them feedback. Support them whenever you can and even buy them notebooks to jot down ideas in. That is simple romance. [Read: 20 questions that will reveal what’s really important to her]
17. Be there when they’re upset and need you
If your partner is stressed out and really upset but doesn’t want to ask you for help, be there anyways. Do it on your own. Recognize the signs that they’re in distress and help them with anything. You can even do something little and silly to make them feel better and that’s really romantic.
18. Go big on occasion
Aside from the little things, do something big and extravagant every now and then. Buy them flowers, take them to a really nice restaurant, and even take them on a spontaneous weekend trip.
19. Take a hint from their favorite romance movies
What romance movie is their favorite and the one they can always watch on repeat? If you don’t know, just ask them. Then watch it for yourself. What does the lead do that’s cute and romantic?
Even if it seems cheesy to you, give it a try and see how much they love it. Their favorite romance movie can tell you a lot about them. [Read: 25 steamy romance movies that are great to turn up sensual love]
20. Show her genuine affection
Be physically affectionate. Be touchy-feely with them, kiss their forehead, give them a lot of hugs, and give them attention in that way.
Showing affection isn’t the same as being sexual, though. Give them sweet and innocent touches and it’s really romantic. [Read: 16 non-sexual touches that’ll make your girl feel connected and loved]
21. Take over the chores when they’ve had a stressful week
If you really want to know how to be more romantic, then pay close attention to this one. When you know your partner has had a rough week and they’re stressed out, do some of their chores and do some small favors that will lighten their load. You may not even realize just how romantic this gesture is. [Read: 20 sweetest ways to cheer your girl up when she’s down]
22. Pay attention to what makes them happiest, and do more of it
What are some of the things you’ve done in the past that have made them really happy? Figure out what those things are and keep doing them. Don’t think that people get sick of those things – especially if they’re really happy about them every time.
23. Give an oil massage
A great way to bring romance into your relationship is by offering your partner a nice oil massage. You can do their whole body or just their back. But if you light a few candles and let them sit back and relax, the amount of romance they’ll feel is incredible. [Read: How to give your lover the perfect sensual massage]
24. Run a bath for them when they’re stressed and overwhelmed
Baths are hot, relaxing, and pretty much every woman enjoys them. You can even get some scented oils and light a few candles for her. Allowing her to unwind is actually very romantic.
25. Know how to calm them during stressful times
Everyone is different in this way. Some people want to talk about their issues and vent, some want to listen to music, and others prefer to light a few candles and just breathe in the relaxing scents. Find out what your partner needs and give it to them.
26. Show them daily how much you care
It’s surprising how many people don’t realize that romance doesn’t have to be a huge spectacle. It can actually be very small things you do daily that show them you care.
Just be there every day and make sure they know how much you love them. That’s enough to make them feel romanced. [Read: 50 super cute things to say to your girlfriend]
27. Write them a love letter every once in a while
This is extremely underrated. People think love letters are stupid and unnecessary but many LOVE them.
Write down how you feel about them and how they make you feel. You can even jot down different things they do over the week that make you fall for them harder and then give it to them during a date over the weekend. This is such a romantic gesture and they’ll basically melt for you. [Read: How to write a heartfelt love letter like a true romantic]
28. Surprise them
Everyone love being surprised. If you want to earn some brownie points, planning a surprise for them that you know they’ll just love is a great way to inject some romance back into your relationship. It shows them you’ve thought of them and made the effort to please them. [Read: How to surprise your girlfriend and score brownie points]
29. Plan thoughtful dates
It’s very easy to make all of your dates kind of the same. If all you ever do involves dinner or a movie, why not try to spice things up a little?
Think about different, unusual things you could do together. Actually put some thought into what they would like to do—the more creative and the more effort you put in, the better. [Read: 22 date ideas that don’t involve Netflix and chill]
30. Let them have the remote
Do you tend to be a bit of a remote hog? Instead of making them watch sports all evening—again—why not let them pick something to watch? Even if you hate it, this little gesture shows them you care.
31. Cook for her
What is better than having someone cook for you? Even if you aren’t the best chef in the world, cooking for them demonstrates you want to be romantic. They’ll think it’s super sweet, whatever the outcome!
32. Give them love tokens
A cute and romantic gesture could be to give your partner little tokens of your affection. They’re bound to find that really cute! [Read: How to give a good and sensual massage to your lover]
33. Be interested in what they say
If you want to know how to be romantic with your partner, take interest in their life. Make sure you find out about their day, take in what they tell you, and show interest in what they say. In a relationship, it is so important to feel listened to and understood.
34. Take a romantic walk together
A walk at sunset, first thing in the morning, or in the rain can be a lovely way to spend some time together. It’s easy, it’s free, and you’re out in the open air. All of this is super romantic and also quite healthy!
35. Go for a candlelit meal
Of course, there is nothing wrong with going back to the tried and tested methods either! [Read: 36 sweetest things to do with your girlfriend]
36. Be protective
If you want to know how to be romantic with your partner, make them feel safe around you. Feeling safe and secure is important because it allows you to be yourself. So don’t be afraid to show them that they’re protected with you around.
37. Stick to your plans
People understandably get frustrated if their partner keeps promising them the world only to let them down time and time again. Make sure if you make romantic plans, you stick to them. This goes for anything you say too – if you say something, do it. Never flake on someone or make promises you can’t keep.
38. Talk about the future
Sometimes a person just wants to know you have a future together, so if you feel the same, let them know by making future plans or at least indulging in conversation about what the future may hold. [Read: Make your girlfriend feel wanted and sexy by flirting with her]
39. Book a vacation
Traveling together is a great way to strengthen your relationship. It is often said that traveling for literally 24 hours together is the true test of a relationship.
Whether you go around the world or just to the next town, a holiday is always romantic. Not everyone can just up and decide to spend a week in the Caribbean, but a simple camping trip can be just as passionate as an expensive trip.
40. Mix it up and do something different
Try something new together. Explore new cuisines or ethnic restaurants. Go to a new art museum or a film festival. See an opera or classical music concert. If that’s your usual thing, go to a rock concert.
Exploring new things together can bring you closer to each other. Plus, you may both learn to like the new things you’ve been trying.
41. Break your routines
Doing the same thing over and over can quickly make a relationship feel stale. If it feels like this is starting to happen, make an effort to avoid your usual places.
Try to stay away from your favorite restaurant for a month. If there’s a park where you usually walk together, find a new park or route along the streets. Variety is the spice of life. Embrace it. [Read: 11 quick and easy morning routines to jumpstart a great day]
42. Let your hands do the talking
Once you’ve learned how to cook, learn one of the greatest skills a person can have to make their partner happy. No! Not that one. You have a dirty mind, although that’s important too. Learn to give a great massage.
When they’ve come home from a long day at work, sit them down somewhere comfortable and give them a massage. We’re not talking about the full-on oil massage we mentioned earlier, we’re talking about a spontaneous, chill-out massage.
A quick 10-minute massage on their neck and shoulders can make you almost god-like in their book. A good foot massage is also one of the best things in life after a hard day. [Read: The ultimate guide to mastering the art of sensual massage]
43. Find new ways to communicate
Most people in relationships tell their partner that they love them, but always in the same way and at the same times – before bed, at the end of a phone call, etc.
Break up this pattern by finding new ways to tell them. A text message in the middle of the day, a note left somewhere where they’ll find later, or any other cute way of telling them you love them would work.
44. Take up a new hobby together
Take the initiative on starting a new activity together. It can be anything really – pottery, cooking or jewelry-making class, dance lessons, or volunteering at a local school or animal shelter. All of these things can help you become closer.
Unless you’re sure they’ll like it, don’t just sign up and surprise them with it. Bring it up as something you’d like to do together. Even if it’s not their thing, they might appreciate the fact that you’re showing initiative. [Read: 25 hobbies for couples that want to have more fun together]
45. Mix well
The last step is to put all of this together. Make it a priority to bring all of these tips into your life, not just for a few weeks or on special occasions, but as a mainstay of your relationship. These little gestures won’t get old. On the contrary, they can even make the relationship feel young and fresh.
And don’t worry, it’s not a one way street. Give them massages and you’re guaranteed to get them in return. Cook for them and they’ll cook for you if they don’t already. Plan spontaneous outings and adventures and they’ll start to do the same.
46. Don’t BE romantic, LIVE romantic
People aren’t always hard to please. The most important thing to remember when doing something romantic is you have to mean it. If you don’t, they’ll know it’s an empty gesture. [Read: 36 sweet little gestures that would make your girl melt]
Now you know what to do, get to it!
Learning how to be romantic doesn’t have to be cheesy. It’s just about being attentive and showing your partner that you love them and appreciate them being around.
If you want to jump up on and down on a couch and shout it from the top of your lungs, go for it, but make sure your partner isn’t going to be cringing away in the corner! Focus on gestures that you’re comfortable with and which your partner will appreciate, rather than curling their toes at.
[Read: 21 secret signs of a bad relationship you didn’t know about]
If you’re looking for ways on how to be more romantic and loving without being cheesy, just use these 46 ideas and create your own magical moments in romance. It’ll definitely bring more love and romance into your lives.
