There's a great book called The 5 Love Languages.
It talks about how different people experience being loved.
Some people need Words of Affirmation.
Some need Physical Touch.
Others need Gifts, Quality Time...or Acts of Service.
It's easy for people to recognize themselves in one of the love languages once they know what they are.
We also tend to show love in the way we like to receive love...which can be a mismatch if your beloved does not experience love in the same way.
You keep saying I love you...but if their love language is Acts of Service, you might be better off to just shut up and do the dishes.
These love language preferences unconsciously spill over to the rest of our lives.
Including the way we like to bond and buy things.
Might be a good idea to see if we can incorporate the love languages in our bonding.
Words of affirmation seem pretty easy to incorporate...we could send personal notes, I'm looking forward to working with you. Thank you. Things like that.
Touch may be a little tricky digitally...but maybe "touch" people might like to meet "in person" by zoom...or see you in a loom video you made specifically for them.
I like the idea of investing Quality Time in writing thoughtful personal emails that obviously took time and individual attention to create.
A 10 minute conversation vs a 5 minute conversation is a luxuriously long amount of time to bond with someone on a routine follow up or check in call.
Acts of Service include anything that seems like you did something just for them.
"I opted in to download your book and I wrote an email you might want to test on the morning after people opt in to see who's ready to engage..."
Anything that clearly shows "I did this for YOU".
Gifts are easy.
Sending something physical in the mail to someone you have a primarily online relationship with adds a new dimension.
Sending something physical in the mail to someone you have a primarily online relationship with adds a new dimension.
Especially if it's unexpected.
Surprise and delight.
Sprinkling some love languages into your communication can go a long way.
My love language is Words of Affirmation and Physical Touch.
Do with that what you will...
Love,