10 things women who value emotional connection do differently in relationships

When it comes to relationships, we all want something that goes beyond the physical, a connection that will stand up to time (and wrinkles!). And that’s emotional connection. 

Couples go through ups and downs, and let’s face it, that bond is only as strong as its level of emotional connection. It’s a vital foundation that transcends words and physical attraction.

Of course, it’s a two-way street, but as a woman, I’m interested in what I can do to deepen the emotional connection in my relationship. 

And here’s what I’ve found – women who value emotional connection have a few things they do differently. 

Want to know what they are? Read on because in this article, I’ll share ten things you can do differently that will allow you to stay deeply connected to your partner. 

Let’s dive in!

1) Prioritizing communication

I’ll start with the most basic yet most neglected area of relationships – communication. 

When relationships are new, we’re all engaged and really interested in talking to our partners. But as time goes on, couples can become too comfortable and begin speaking less. 

I’ve seen this happen in my own past relationships, especially with the ones who have a different communication style than me. It has happened one too many times that we just eventually sweep difficult issues under the rug and hope they all go away. 

Well, they don’t. And that’s something I learned the hard way. 

To have a deep emotional connection, we must be willing to keep chipping away at difficult conversations, no matter how many discussions it takes. 

We must know how to set our own agenda aside and really listen to our partner

Women who do this reap the benefits – a deeper understanding of their partners, better self-expression, and, most importantly, the creation of a safe space in the relationship.

2) Embracing vulnerability

The willingness to be vulnerable goes hand in hand with communication. It goes beyond simply exchanging information like facts about your childhood, where you went to school, what your favorite songs are, and things like that. 

No, a deep emotional connection requires us to bare ourselves – joys, sorrows, fears, flaws, and all. 

Vulnerability is typically seen as a weakness, but in reality, it is the cornerstone of deep emotional connections

When we share the parts of ourselves we normally keep hidden, we invite our partners to do the same.

This creates a bond of trust and understanding that can withstand the test of time. I can say that the longest relationships I’ve had are those where I had the courage to be vulnerable. 

In fact, those relationships might not have worked out in the end, but I’ve stayed friends with those exes because of those deep emotional connections!  

3) Practicing empathy and compassion

As you embrace vulnerability and encourage your partner to do the same, it’s obviously important to practice empathy and compassion.

These are two essential ingredients in the recipe for emotional connection. Women who value such a deep bond make sure that they try to put themselves in their partner’s shoes. 

They try to understand what their SO is feeling, and that instills a sense of trust and safety. A feeling that gives the relationship a sense of home, a safe space where both partners can let down their hair and be their authentic selves.  

That said, it’s equally important to maintain healthy boundaries, as the next section shows…

4) Setting healthy boundaries

Women who value emotional connection know the importance of boundaries. They understand that boundaries are there to protect them and their partner. 

It’s true that couples need to be deeply connected for a fulfilling relationship. But they also need to maintain a sense of individuality and independence. 

The best relationships are those that strike a balance between emotional intimacy and personal freedom – they’re just more nurturing and empowering. 

Because that balance allows both partners to grow and evolve, and that always makes a relationship richer and more interesting, even when decades have passed!

5) Paying attention to the little things 

Speaking of long-term relationships, here’s a common scenario: couples begin taking things for granted

If you’ve been in a relationship before (and I’m pretty sure you have), you probably know that state of attentiveness at the beginning, when you notice the tiniest things about your partner. 

Then as time goes by, you become more familiar, that attention starts to slip away, and you notice things about them less and less. 

Women who value emotional connection don’t do that. They understand the power of those seemingly insignificant actions, like remembering their partner doesn’t like celery or noticing a new shirt.

These little gestures show thoughtfulness and become proof of their love and devotion. They go a long way in keeping the emotional bond strong! 

6) Spending quality time together

Pair that high level of attention with quality time, and you’re on your way to forging a strong emotional connection

This is something women (and men, too) who prioritize emotional connection do. For them, quality time is a crucial part of that connection. 

So they love having shared experiences, whether it’s a regular date night, a weekend getaway, or just a quiet evening at home. 

That intentional carving out of time for each other reinforces their commitment to the relationship. 

And in case you didn’t know, quality time is one of the five love languages, which brings me to my next point…

7) Speaking their partner’s love language

Are you familiar with the five love languages? They are the ways we give and receive love. Here they are: 

  • Words of affirmation
  • Acts of service
  • Gifts 
  • Quality time
  • Physical touch

Here’s the thing: we all have different love languages. 

But if you want to be like the women who value emotional connection, learn your partner’s love language and express your love that way, even if it isn’t your own love language. 

For example, your love language is words of affirmation, but your partner’s is acts of service. How do you do that?

Well, it calls for a bit of patience and creativity!

You could write a sweet love note and leave it on the kitchen counter with a freshly made breakfast.  

See how both love languages are present there? As long as you’re willing to make the effort to deepen your connection, you’ll make it work!

8) Expressing gratitude regularly

No matter what your love language is, the spirit of gratitude should always be there. Because being thankful strengthens your bond. 

The science proves that, too. According to research, expressing gratitude and appreciation releases oxytocin – the “love hormone” – which builds a stronger connection between two people. 

Now tell me that isn’t proof enough! 

So go ahead and shower your partner with compliments. Show your gratitude by doing things for them. It’s a simple but really effective way to make your relationship happier!

9) Celebrating each other’s growth

One thing I’ve noticed with many couples is that there’s a fear of getting left behind. Not for another person, but in terms of growth. What do I mean by this?

Let me give you an example. 

My friend Jerry is a graphic designer. He started taking painting classes in his spare time to explore his artistic passions. 

However, his girlfriend Kelly didn’t share his enthusiasm for this newfound interest. She saw it as a waste of time and money, a distraction from his real career and a hobby that took his time away from her. 

I’ve always found such stories sad because couples need to celebrate each other. A lack of support can easily erode trust and make the other person feel lonely.

Women who value emotional connection know this, and that’s why they support their partner’s growth and pursuits, even if they aren’t involved in it.  

10) Personal growth and self-reflection

While we’re on the topic of growth, this is also another area women who value emotional connection excel at. They’re master at pursuing personal growth. 

The philosophy behind this is simple: you have to constantly work on yourself to be the best partner you can be. 

That means practicing self-awareness and reflection so you can really examine your own thoughts and behavior. 

It means pursuing things that help you be a better and more well-rounded person. That way, you can bring the best version of you into the relationship. 

Ultimately, you’ll create a stronger and more meaningful emotional bond with your partner. 

Final thoughts

Fostering a deep emotional connection with others doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Things like fear, excess baggage, past traumas…they all get in the way of opening yourself up and trusting your partner. 

Hopefully, this list has shown you some areas where you can start. I believe that everyone deserves to connect deeply with their partners – we all deserve that sense of intimacy and security, that “safe space” person in this uncertain world!

Pearl Nash

Pearl Nash has years of experience writing relationship articles for single females looking for love. After being single for years with no hope of meeting Mr. Right, she finally managed to get married to the love of her life. Now that she’s settled down and happier than she’s ever been in her life, she's passionate about sharing all the wisdom she's learned over the journey. Pearl is also an accredited astrologer and publishes Hack Spirit's daily horoscope.

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