One of the most joyful concepts in Imago Relationship Therapy is re-romanticising. This concept involves intentionally reviving the spark, appreciation, and playfulness that often fade in long-term relationships.
If you have ever thought, “We love each other, but the fun has disappeared,” you are not alone.
Life gets busy. Stress, work, parenting, and emotional disconnection can take their toll.
But the good news is that connection and joy can return when we put intention behind our actions.
What Is Re-Romanticising?
In Imago Relationship Theory, re-romanticising is about reawakening positive energy in your relationship. It is not about grand gestures or manufactured romance. It is about making small, consistent choices that help your partner feel seen, valued, and loved.
Think of it as a return to those early days when everything felt exciting. But this time, you are doing it with deeper understanding and intention. You choose connection, even when it does not come easily.
Why Fun Is Foundational
One of the most overlooked ingredients in a healthy relationship is fun. Playful moments help us bond, regulate stress, and remember why we chose each other in the first place.
In our Marriage Works couples sessions, we often hear things like:
- “We do not laugh together anymore.”
- “We have lost our spark.”
- “Everything feels like a to-do list.”
If this sounds familiar, it might be time to prioritise joy again. That can look as simple as:
- Dancing in the kitchen
- Sharing a funny memory or an inside joke
- Sending a flirty message midday
- Taking a walk without your phones
- Playing a silly board game or card game
Joy is not frivolous. It is fuel for emotional safety, resilience, and intimacy.
Bringing Pleasure Back
Another part of re-romanticising is reconnecting physically and emotionally through pleasure. In long-term relationships, physical intimacy can become routine or even disappear altogether.
When we lose playfulness, desire often fades too. But pleasure can be a powerful way to reconnect. Not just sexually, but in all five senses. Holding hands. Making eye contact. Laughing and exploring touch in a non-pressured way.
This is where tools like OMGYes can make a real difference.
What Is OMGYes?
OMGYes is a research-based platform that explores what brings women physical pleasure. Based on findings from over 20,000 people, it offers videos, interviews, and interactive touchable tools that help users explore intimacy with confidence and clarity.
It is practical, inclusive, and designed to help couples talk more openly about what feels good.
Many of the couples we see use OMG Yes as a fun, non-threatening way to start conversations about sex and connection.
It is not therapy, but it can be a helpful complement to your journey together.
Limited-Time Sale Now On
At the time of writing, OMGYes is offering a 4th of July sale. If you are curious, now is a great time to explore it. We are not affiliated. We simply love anything that helps couples deepen their connection in real-world ways. No commission here, just a desire – excuse the pun, to share the fun.
A Challenge for You
Try this: do one thing this week to re-romanticise your relationship. Choose something fun, light, and a little bit unexpected.
Focus on connection, not perfection.
And if you would like structured support with your relationship, consider joining one of our Getting the Love You Want workshops. These transformative weekends help couples heal patterns, increase safety, and bring joy back into the relationship.
Because love is not just about staying together. It is about thriving together.
Philipa Thornton, psychologist and certified Imago Relationship Therapist at Marriage Works. We help couples reconnect through the power of intention, dialogue, and fun.