The truth of the matter is that relationships are never plain sailing.
Despite what rom-coms and fairytales might tell you, real-life romances littered with riveting highs and crushing lows, with 'rough patches' often seemingly impossible to navigate.
That said, however, a bunch of social media-using daters have recently devised a means of spicing up their love lives when things become a little stagnant.
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Introducing... 'alphabet dating'!
And no, this doesn't necessarily mean implementing raunchy new routines or spending on some new sex toys - but you do you, boo.
In this instance, according to some relationship gurus, intimacy can be increased simply by spending quality time together, doing a bunch of activities you've never done before.
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And if you and your partner are notoriously indecisive about how you spend your free time together, here's some good news.
There's actually a pretty simple pattern you should be using to plan your date nights. Yep, you guessed it - alphabetically.
According to the trend - which hundreds of TikTok users have reportedly implemented into their relationship recently - you make a plan to spend some quality time with one another, maybe once or twice a week.
For your first date, you'll plan an activity you've never done before that begins with the letter 'A'.
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So, that could be anything from taking an art class, visiting the aquarium or axe throwing (though perhaps not the latter after an argument).
The following week, you'll plan a night of doing something beginning with 'B'.
You and your partner will take your pick from the likes of bungee jumping, going backpacking, visiting a bookstore or birdwatching.
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And so on, and so forth.
A fun addition could also be that you alternate on who plans which activity each week, to keep one another especially on your toes - and you can ensure they're cost effective.
Sara Brigham, from Eventbrite, told WTOC: "'A’ would be ax throwing or Apple picking. ‘B’ would be bowling or the ballet. ‘C’ would be a cooking class or even a comedy show. And the list goes on and on. The best part is that all of these dates are incredibly affordable. In fact, some of them are free and the others are going to be starting at anywhere between 5, 10 and go upwards of $20 or more.”
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It doesn't have to just be restricted to relationships, either.
Brigham added: "It can be a friend date, a girl date with your significant other or your spouse, whether you’re just starting to date,” she commented.
“In fact, you can even throw your kids in the mix. I know I like to go on special dates with my four-year-old: mommy and son date.”
Off to plan some alphabet dating, BRB. Or should I say ABC?
Additional words by Kya Buller.
Topics: Life, Life Hacks, Sex and Relationships, Dating trends, TikTok