Overcoming distractions, practicing self-care, and supporting each other.
This is a tool to use to have a conversation your spouse or partner about distractions that are affecting your relationship. I used this at two Connect Together events for couples at Imago Dei Central and Eastside Imago Dei Community recently.
We’re planning on doing another event at Central May 19th, 2023.
Here are a few common distractions that couples and families experience.
Circle one or two that are affecting your connection lately that you would like to discuss today:
• Stress (physical health, emotional health, responsibilities, etc.)
• Screentime (TV, YouTube, Video Games)
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest)
• Work
• Parenting/kids’ activities
• Hobbies
• Sleep (morning routine/habits, evening and bedtime routine/habits)
• Other:______
Turn-and-talk as a couple:
Each of you take a turn to…
• Rate how you are doing individually with screentime, smartphone, and social media. (Scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being best)
• Rate how you are doing spiritually, with self-care, and energy.
• Without placing blame, take turns sharing two areas of distraction.
• What are three words to describe how you feel about distraction and one area you choose?
• Share: “When I get distracted with_______, it affects our marriage and connection because I _______.”
• “What is it like for you when I am distracted?”
• “What I would like instead is _______.”
• “What would you like us to do as a couple to cut down on distraction?”
• Discuss what you want/need to do more, what you want/need to do less • Share your readiness and confidence to make changes.
• What would help you, individually, with distraction? What do you want to do this month to cut down on distraction? What do you want to set limits to or stop doing?
• What healthy habit or self-care practice do you want to be more consistent with or start? What would you like to give more focus, time and energy to?
• Which area, if we focus on in the next month will improve our connection, our marriage?
- Discuss how to support and encourage each other. Changing habits can be very difficult.
Podcast episode that goes along with this handout:
YouTube: Overcoming distractions, practicing self-care, and supporting each other.
