Real-Life Examples of Relationship Goals Examples You Can Actually Use

Let’s skip theory and start with real examples of relationship goals examples you could drop straight into a journal or goal-setting worksheet today.

Think of relationship goals as habits plus intention. Not “have a perfect relationship,” but “do this one small thing consistently that moves us closer.” When you write them down as journal prompts, they become easier to track and adjust.

Some of the best examples are simple:

• A 10-minute nightly check-in where each person shares one high, one low, and one appreciation.
• One tech-free meal together each day—phones in another room.
• A monthly “money date” to review spending, savings, and upcoming plans.
• One scheduled “relationship reset” conversation every quarter to talk about what’s working and what’s not.
• A shared movement goal, like walking 3 times a week together.

These examples of examples of relationship goals examples are powerful because they’re specific, observable, and easy to journal about. You can literally write: “Did we do our nightly check-in today? How did it feel?”

Communication: Examples of Relationship Goals Examples You Can Track

Healthy communication is not just “talk more.” It’s about how you talk, when you talk, and what you do when things get tense. Here are some real examples of relationship goals examples focused on communication that fit well into goal-tracking journal prompts.

Example of a daily communication goal:

Instead of “We’ll communicate better,” try: “We will have a 10-minute no-distraction check-in every evening before bed.” In your journal, you might track:

• Did we do the check-in?
• What did I learn about my partner today?
• How did this affect my mood before sleep?

Example of a conflict-resolution goal:

“We will pause arguments that feel heated and come back to them after a 20-minute break.” This mirrors guidance from relationship research showing that emotional flooding makes calm discussion harder. The Gottman Institute, for example, highlights the role of physiological arousal in conflict and suggests breaks to reset before continuing the conversation (see: https://www.gottman.com).

Journal prompts for this goal might be:

• Did we remember to take a break during conflict today?
• What helped us calm down during the pause?
• What will I try differently next time?

Examples include small, language-based goals too:

• Replacing “you always/you never” with “I feel” statements.
• Asking one curious question in each serious conversation before giving advice.

These are some of the best examples of communication goals because they’re observable. You can look back over a week and see whether you actually did them.

Connection & Intimacy: Gentle, Real Examples You Can Build On

Intimacy is not only physical. It’s emotional, mental, and sometimes spiritual. Many people in 2024–2025 are realizing that “we live together but feel distant” is a sign to set intentional goals.

Here are a few real examples of relationship goals examples around connection:

Shared ritual goal:

“We will create one weekly ritual that belongs only to us.” That might be:

• Sunday morning coffee on the porch, no guests, no phones.
• Friday night “debrief” walk around the block.
• A weekly playlist swap where you each share songs that match your mood.

Journal prompts:

• What ritual did we do this week?
• How did it change how connected I felt?
• What small detail made it feel special?

Affection and appreciation goal:

“We will express one specific appreciation to each other every day.” Research from positive psychology suggests that regular gratitude can support emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction (see: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010965/ from the National Institutes of Health).

In your goal-tracking journal, you could write:

• Today I appreciated my partner for…
• Their reaction when I shared it was…
• I noticed our overall vibe this week felt…

Physical intimacy goal (at your own pace):

Instead of a pressure-filled goal like “have sex X times a week,” try: “We will check in weekly about what kind of physical affection feels good right now.” That might include cuddling, holding hands, back rubs, or simply sitting close on the couch.

Journal prompt ideas:

• What physical affection felt good for me this week?
• What did my partner seem to enjoy?
• Is there anything I want to request or change next week?

These examples of examples of relationship goals examples help you build connection without forcing a one-size-fits-all standard.

Digital Life & Boundaries: 2024–2025 Examples of Relationship Goals Examples

Modern relationships are deeply affected by screens, social media, and remote work. New relationship goals are emerging around digital boundaries, privacy, and attention.

Here are some timely examples of relationship goals examples that fit the 2024–2025 reality:

Attention goal:

“We will have one tech-free hour together each evening.” That might be during dinner, a walk, or a shared hobby. With rising concerns about screen time and mental health, this kind of goal supports both relationship quality and personal well-being. The U.S. National Institute of Mental Health notes that lifestyle habits, including screen use, can influence mental health (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health).

Journal prompts:

• How did our tech-free time go today?
• What did we talk about or do instead of scrolling?
• Did I feel more present with my partner?

Privacy and digital trust goal:

“We will talk openly about what privacy means to each of us online and agree on boundaries we both respect.”

Examples include:

• Deciding whether you share passwords or not—and why.
• Setting guidelines for posting about the relationship on social media.
• Agreeing how to handle DMs from exes or new people.

Journal reflection:

• What digital boundary helped me feel safer this week?
• Where did I feel uncomfortable, and why?

Remote work/online life balance goal:

If one or both of you work from home, an example of a goal might be: “We will create clear ‘on/off’ work times so we know when we’re available to each other.”

You might track:

• Did we respect each other’s work hours today?
• Did we have a clear end-of-day transition (like a walk or a change of clothes)?

These are some of the best examples of relationship goals for couples navigating modern digital life.

Money, Planning, and Future: Practical Examples of Relationship Goals Examples

Money is one of the top sources of conflict in relationships, and in 2024–2025, with rising costs of living, many couples are revisiting how they budget, save, and plan together. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau notes that open communication about money can reduce stress and conflict in relationships (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/money-as-you-grow/).

Here are practical, grounded examples of relationship goals examples related to finances and planning:

Monthly money date goal:

“We will have one money date each month to review bills, savings, and upcoming expenses.” This doesn’t need to be heavy or tense. You can pair it with takeout or a favorite snack.

Journal prompts:

• What did we learn about our spending this month?
• Did we agree on our top financial priorities?
• How did this conversation affect my sense of security?

Shared savings goal:

“We will save $X together this year for a shared goal (trip, emergency fund, move, etc.).”

Examples include:

• A weekend getaway fund.
• An emergency savings cushion.
• A house or apartment upgrade.

In your journal, track:

• How much did we add to our shared savings this week or month?
• What did we skip or adjust to make that possible?

Life-planning check-in goal:

“We will have a quarterly ‘future talk’ to check in on big topics: kids or no kids, career changes, where we want to live, and what we want the next 3–5 years to look like.”

Journal prompts:

• What did I learn about my partner’s long-term hopes this quarter?
• Where are we aligned? Where do we see things differently?
• What one small step can we take toward a shared vision?

These real examples of relationship goals examples help you move from vague “someday” conversations to concrete steps you can track.

Growth, Health, and Independence: Examples of Relationship Goals That Support Both of You

Healthy relationships don’t erase individuality; they protect it. Many couples now set goals that support both the relationship and each person’s mental and physical health.

Here are some examples of examples of relationship goals examples in this area:

Mental health support goal:

“We will each schedule at least one mental health check-in for ourselves this month—whether that’s therapy, a support group, or a dedicated self-care afternoon—and share (if we want) what we learned.”

The National Institute of Mental Health provides resources on how to find help and support (https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help). Your journal can include:

• What did I do for my mental health this week?
• How did my partner support or respect that time?

Health and movement goal:

“We will choose one movement activity we can do together at least twice a week.” Examples include walks, stretching, dancing in the living room, or a low-pressure gym session.

Journal prompts:

• What activity did we do together this week?
• Did it feel connecting, or did it feel like pressure?
• What would make it more fun next time?

Independence and space goal:

“We will each protect one solo activity or friend hangout per week, with no guilt trips.”

Real examples include:

• A weekly book club or hobby night.
• Solo time at a coffee shop.
• A standing friend dinner.

In your journal, reflect on:

• Did I get my alone or friend time this week?
• How did it affect how I showed up in the relationship?

These examples include both togetherness and independence, which is a healthier balance than “we must do everything together.”

Turning These Examples into Journal Prompts and Trackable Goals

Seeing examples of relationship goals is helpful, but the magic happens when you turn them into prompts and habits. Here’s a simple way to do that without turning your relationship into a project plan.

Step 1: Pick 1–3 goals only.

Too many at once and you’ll burn out. Choose the best examples that fit your current season. Maybe one communication goal, one connection goal, and one practical (money or planning) goal.

Step 2: Rewrite them in your own words.

If the goal is “weekly check-in,” you might write: “Every Sunday at 7 p.m., we’ll sit on the couch, no phones, and talk about our week for 20 minutes.” Make it sound like you, not a textbook.

Step 3: Create simple, repeatable prompts.

For each goal, write 2–3 prompts you’ll answer in your goal-tracking journal. For example:

• Did we do our Sunday check-in? Why or why not?
• What did I learn about my partner this week?
• What small change would make next week’s check-in better?

Step 4: Review monthly, not daily perfection.

You’re not aiming for 100% compliance. Once a month, skim your entries and ask:

• Which examples of relationship goals felt energizing?
• Which felt forced or guilt-inducing?
• What do we want to keep, adjust, or drop?

Let your relationship goals evolve with you. The best examples are the ones that still feel meaningful three months from now, not just impressive on paper today.

FAQ: Common Questions About Examples of Relationship Goals

Q: What are some simple examples of relationship goals for busy couples?

Simple examples include a 10-minute nightly check-in, one tech-free meal per day, a weekly walk together, and a monthly money date. Start with one or two and build from there.

Q: Can you give an example of a healthy boundary goal in a relationship?

An example of a boundary goal is: “We will not read each other’s private messages without explicit permission, and we’ll talk openly if we ever feel insecure instead of snooping.” You can track in your journal how safe and respected you feel over time.

Q: How many relationship goals should we have at once?

Most couples do better with a small number—usually 1–3 active goals. Too many, and it starts to feel like homework. Focus on the best examples that address your biggest pain points or hopes right now.

Q: Are relationship goals only for romantic partners?

No. These examples of relationship goals can be adapted for close friendships, family relationships, or even co-parenting dynamics. You might adjust the intimacy or money-related parts, but communication, boundaries, and shared rituals apply widely.

Q: What if my partner isn’t into goal-setting or journaling?

You can still use these examples of relationship goals in your own behavior. Pick goals you can influence—how you communicate, how you express appreciation, how you handle conflict. Sometimes, when the energy in the relationship shifts, partners become more open to trying shared rituals later.

Use these real examples of relationship goals examples as inspiration, not as a checklist you must complete. Your relationship is allowed to be imperfect and evolving. The point isn’t to “win” at goals—it’s to create a relationship where both of you feel seen, supported, and able to grow.