Sara and Anna are back with the 5th and final part of their special mini series, sharing ten practical relationship tips to help couples strengthen connection as they head into 2026.

Before diving in, there’s post Italy glow, food chat, sunshine, tiramisu, champagne, and that familiar January reality check where most New Year’s resolutions are already wobbling. Then it’s back to the heart of the series with the final two tips, the ones that shape long term security, shared direction, and the everyday choice to stay connected.

Tip 9 Share goals, money, and dreams: you’re building one life, not two

Sara and Anna explore why future planning can feel heavy, especially if you are already deep in “work mode” with budgets, reviews, targets and life admin. For some people, dreaming feels unsafe, because hope has come with disappointment before. For others, dreaming is easy, but turning it into action is where things fall down.

They talk about:

• why planning can feel like another job, not romance

• how fear of disappointment can make dreaming feel risky

• starting small, planning the next six months rather than the next 20 years

• how “planning is sexy” when it creates safety and follow through

• the difference between dreaming and building the bridge back to reality

• the value of the “what would we do if we won a million” conversation, and how it reveals priorities and shared values

• shoulds vs wants, and why some goals are not truly yours

• why couples drift when they live like two separate lives with no shared direction

This tip is about creating a shared roadmap, not a rigid spreadsheet. It’s about remembering that being a couple means building something together, with enough honesty to talk about money, trips, priorities, retirement, and the life you are trying to create side by side.

Tip 10 Choose love daily, even when it’s not easy

The final tip is about the real relationship work, the moments when you feel tired, irritated, misunderstood, hormonal, or simply not very generous. Sara and Anna talk about how love is not just a feeling, it’s a daily choice, shown in small actions and soft repairs.

They talk about:

• the difference between “I don’t like you right now” and “I still love you”

• how the messy moments can pull you closer if you work through them

• independence vs interdependence, and learning to let your partner help you

• why small daily gestures keep the “pilot light” of love switched on

• how disconnection and repeated uncaring behaviour can switch that light off over time

• the power of naming what you feel, rather than acting it out

• why communication matters even more when emotions feel irrational or delayed

• asking the question that brings you back onto the same team, “What do you need right now?”

This tip is about playing the long game. Not winning the argument, not proving a point, but protecting the relationship you want to still be living in a year, five years, ten years from now.

Reflection prompts

• Where are we avoiding future conversations because they feel too much like work, and what is one small way we could start?

• What is one shared goal for the next six months that would bring us closer?

• When I feel disconnected, do I withdraw, or do I name what’s going on and ask for what I need?

• What is one small “choose love” action I can take today, even if I do not feel like it?

Final thought

Planning can be romantic, and love is a choice you make again and again.

This is the final part, your full set of 10 Golden Tips for 2026 is now complete. Save these episodes, revisit them, and pick one tip to practise each month.

There is always a way to take one small step back towards connection, even if you start on your own.

Till next time

Stay connected

Sara Liddle . info@inflori.co.uk . www.inflori.co.uk

Anna Stratis . coachdocanna@gmail.com . www.coachdocanna.com

Sara and Anna are back with Part 4 of their special five-part mini-series, sharing ten practical relationship tips to help couples strengthen connection as they head into 2026.

Before diving in, there’s life-chat and laughter, septic tank chaos in Greece, emergency café bathroom trips, winter sunshine in Florence, wine windows, stretchy dresses and pre-holiday excitement. Then it’s back to the heart of the series, with two powerful tips that shape emotional closeness and trust.

Tip 7 — Touch Often: connection lives in everyday affection

Sara and Anna explore why physical touch matters far beyond sex, and how small gestures of closeness can regulate the nervous system, soothe stress and rebuild emotional connection when life has become tense or distant.

They talk about:

• why long hugs can increase life satisfaction and reduce stress
• the difference between sexual intimacy and non-sexual affection
• how hugs and touch support connection through hormones, safety and softness
• the “invisible barrier” couples create when they withdraw touch during conflict
• how withholding affection can accidentally choke off connection
• why many couples still want closeness but ego and hurt get in the way

They also reflect on familiar moments many couples will recognise, sleeping back-to-back when you’re still angry, waiting for the other person to make the first move, or silently hoping your partner will suddenly change.

Even the smallest gesture can shift the energy, fingertips touching in bed, a pinky-hold, a hand on the arm a quiet signal of “I’m not happy right now… but I’m still here.”

This tip is about choosing connection, even when it feels uncomfortable or imperfect.

Tip 8 — Protect Each Other’s Dignity in Public: be their safe space

The second tip is all about respect, loyalty and emotional safety in front of others.

Sara and Anna talk about:

• how easy it is to make small digs, eye-rolls or throwaway comments in public
• why criticising or mocking your partner in front of others erodes trust
• how “sharing frustrations” with friends can damage connection
• the long-term impact of embarrassment, shaming or exposing private issues
• the importance of addressing problems privately, not publicly
• how childhood models of conflict can influence adult behaviour

They also explore the flip side, how powerful it feels when your partner:

• backs you up in a group
• stands beside you when others make a dig
• speaks positively about you
• celebrates your strengths in public

Being your partner’s safe place doesn’t mean ignoring problems, it means choosing dignity first, and saving difficult conversations for private spaces, where repair and understanding can happen with compassion.

Reflection prompts

• Where am I withholding affection to protect my ego, rather than protecting our connection?
• What is one small act of touch I could offer today, even if things feel tense?
• Do I protect my partner’s dignity in public or do small comments sometimes slip through?
• How would it feel to actively show pride in them when others are around?

Final thought - Always do the right thing, even if it feels difficult.

Next in the series: Part 5 will complete the series with the final two tips to round out your 10 Keys to a Great Relationship in 2026.

There is always a way to take one small step back towards connection, even if you start on your own.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected Sara Liddle — www.inflori.co.uk Anna Stratis — www.coachdocanna.com

In Part 3 of this special mini series, Sara and Anna share rules 5 and 6 from their list of ten. These are the kind of relationship truths that land, then quietly stick with you for days.

They begin with a quick catch-up about choppy paddleboarding conditions, warm weather that does not feel remotely Christmassy, and the fact that Christmas is fast approaching, whether either of them feels ready or not. Then they dive into the next two golden rules to help you strengthen your relationship in 2026.

Sara and Anna unpack why most of us are quicker to criticise than to appreciate, and how easy it is to fall into “you always” and “you never” language, especially around everyday stress and household routines.

They explore:

• Why we tend to gloss over the good because of our natural negativity bias
• How appreciation often stays inside our heads, even when we feel it
• The impact of receiving messages that are only logistics, not affection
• Why criticism delivered as an attack almost always leads to defensiveness
• How to start gently by naming what you have noticed and getting curious about what is going on underneath

They also offer a simple challenge you can do right now: pause the episode and send your partner a message of appreciation about something small they did in the last 24 hours.

This rule becomes a heartfelt conversation about vulnerability, emotional safety, and what it takes to repair after a moment you are not proud of.

They explore:

• Why apologising can feel physically uncomfortable, especially if you never saw it modelled growing up
• How a genuine apology creates safety, and often invites your partner to own their part too
• The difference between being wrong and taking responsibility for your actions
• The biggest apology mistake is using the word “but”
• Why over-apologising can drain the power from the words, especially when it becomes people pleasing

They also share a practical tip: slow it down, make eye contact, and say “I am sorry”, not a rushed, automatic “sorry”.

• What is one thing your partner did recently that you appreciated, but did not say out loud?
• Where does your ego tend to show up most in your relationship? If you needed to repair today, what would a clean apology sound like, with no “but”?

Next in the series: Part 4 will cover rules 7 and 8, as you keep moving through the full set of 10 tips for a stronger 2026 together.

There is always a way to take one small step back towards connection, even if you start on your own.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected Sara Liddle — www.inflori.co.uk Anna Stratis — www.coachdocanna.com

In this episode of the five-part series, the hosts share practical coaching on building healthier relationships for 2026. They explore tip #3 — "keep no secrets" — discussing honesty, privacy boundaries, addiction and financial secrets, and when small white lies may be harmless.

They then cover tip #4 — "give more than you take" — emphasising acts of service, daily small kindnesses, building emotional goodwill, and putting intention into loving actions rather than scorekeeping.

Tip 3 – Keep No Secrets: Honesty Builds Trust

Sara and Anna explore what it really means to have no secrets in a relationship, including:

• The difference between privacy and secrecy
• How “little” lies and white lies quietly grow into patterns that are hard to break
• Why shame fuels hidden behaviours like overspending, porn use, gambling or emotional entanglements
• The impact of discovering secret habits and how it erodes safety and connection
• Why your partner usually already senses something is off, even if nobody’s said it out loud

They also talk about the grey areas: outfits, weight, haircuts and “Do I look good in this?” moments. When is honesty helpful and when does it become unkind? And is it ever okay to withhold something if speaking it might do more harm than good?

You’ll hear practical questions you can ask yourself, like:

What am I afraid will happen if I tell the truth?

and

If I’m tempted to hide this, what’s really going on underneath?

Tip 4 – Give More Than You Take: Love Is a Service, Not Scorekeeping

Next, the conversation turns to everyday giving and why healthy love isn’t about keeping score.

Sara and Anna dive into:

• The rise of entitlement in modern relationships (“I deserve more”, “I should be treated like a queen”)
• How easy it is to focus on what your partner doesn’t do and miss what they quietly do every day
• Why resentment builds when every act of love is mentally added to a scoreboard
• The reality that patterns take time to shift – your partner might not respond instantly to new, positive behaviour
• How to give from a place of choice, not martyrdom
• Why small, consistent gestures (a cup of tea in bed, picking something up they forgot, a quick errand, a kiss in public) do more than grand gestures ever could

They also talk about the balance between loving your partner well and not abandoning yourself. Giving more than you take doesn’t mean neglecting your own needs, it means:

• Keeping your own life, interests and friendships alive
• Noticing the tiny opportunities each day to make life easier or softer for each other
• Letting go of the expectation that every kind thing must be “paid back” in equal measure

There is always a way to take one small step back towards connection, even if you start on your own.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected Sara Liddle — www.inflori.co.uk Anna Stratis — www.coachdocanna.com

Episode 201 – Golden Rules for a Happy Relationship in 2026 (Part 1) Talk every day, fight the problem, not each other

In this first episode of our new mini-series, we’re getting you “relationship match fit” for 2026.

Over the next few weeks we’ll be sharing our golden rules for a happier, more connected relationship, and today we start with two of the most important ones:

1. Talk every day – silence creates distance

2. Fight the problem, not each other – you’re on the same team

We chat about how silence slowly wedges its way between you, even when you’re still talking about the school run, bins and bills. We’ll walk you through what to do if you’ve stopped really talking, how to take the first step when there’s been a stand-off, and why waiting years to deal with disconnection quietly erodes the foundations of your relationship.

We also explore what it actually looks like to be on the same team when you’re tired, stressed, in perimenopause, worried about money, or carrying old hurt. This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about learning how to repair, reset and come back to each other when life (and your nervous system) feel like too much.

• Why silence is an alarm, not a solution How silent stand-offs and “roommate mode” create growing distance, even if you’re still speaking about logistics.

• The cost of waiting too long to get help We talk about research showing couples often wait years before reaching out, and what that means for your ability to repair rather than press the “I’m done” button.

• How to take the first step when you haven’t spoken properly in days (or longer) Gentle ways to open the door again without blame, including using a simple structure like a 5–5–5 chat to get you both heard.

• Finding your voice when you’ve been the “silent peacekeeper” Why it feels safer to stay quiet, and how to start practising small, honest conversations without blowing everything up.

• Fighting the problem, not each other How to shift from “you vs me” to “us vs the issue”, especially when you feel hurt, misunderstood or let down.

• Seeing your partner’s intent (and your own) more clearly Why they might not be trying to hurt you, even if it feels that way, and how assumptions about intent can fuel unnecessary conflict.

• Stress, midlife transitions and perimenopause How work, money worries, health changes and hormones can all feed into relationship tension, and why your partner can become the easiest target.

• Rupture vs repair Why conflict isn’t the real problem – it’s the lack of repair that hurts most. We talk about what repair can look like in everyday, messy relationships.

There is always a way to take one small step back towards connection, even if you start on your own.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected Sara Liddle — www.inflori.co.uk Anna Stratis — www.coachdocanna.com

Welcome to the podcast! Sara and Anna are back, easing into autumn with slow mornings, hot drinks, and a chat about what happens when relationships lose their spark. From conflict tools to laughter yoga, this episode is filled with practical insights and real talk about keeping connection alive through all seasons.

Love Desk: The Relationship Desk of Love brings us the 5-5-5 Method for conflict resolution. Originally shared by therapist Suzanne Clark, this approach helps couples handle disagreements in just 15 minutes:

• 5 minutes for one partner to speak (no interruptions)

• 5 minutes for the other partner to share their perspective

• 5 minutes to talk it through together

We unpack:

• Why uninterrupted listening changes everything

• How most arguments derail because we’re too focused on defending, not hearing

• Why five minutes might be more than enough when real listening happens

• How the final five can be used for reflection, not forced resolution

The takeaway? Conflict isn’t solved by speed, it’s soothed by being heard.

Hot Topic: Why do couples stop having fun? Sara and Anna dive into why playfulness fades and how to bring it back. A strong value of Sara's, so very important to keep the fun alive every day.

We explore:

• The gradual drift from laughter to logistics

• How life admin, parenting, and responsibility quietly squeeze out joy

• Why some couples never stop having fun, and what they do differently

• The link between emotional safety and freedom to be playful

• Rediscovering what fun actually means to you, not just as a couple

From laughter yoga to calzones in a messy kitchen, this chat is a reminder that joy doesn’t need grand gestures, it needs space, curiosity, and connection.

Listener Question: "My partner still follows their ex on social media and occasionally likes their posts. It really bothers me. Should I say something or let it go?"

We unpack both sides of the story:

• When jealousy points to insecurity versus when it signals disconnection

• Why trust, self-worth, and healthy boundaries all matter here

• How to raise the topic without accusation or shame

• When to self-reflect and when it’s time for a calm, honest chat

Takeaway: Fun fades when the connection does. The fix isn’t always big. It’s often in the small things: staying curious, speaking kindly, and laughing together even when life feels heavy. Whether it’s resolving conflict, finding your playfulness again, or deciding what truly matters, this episode is your reminder to bring lightness back in.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected Sara Liddle — www.inflori.co.uk Anna Stratis — www.coachdocanna.com

Welcome to a special deep-dive episode.

Sara & Anna are back, reflecting on the everyday reality of expectations. Where they come from, how they show up, and what happens when life doesn’t go to plan.

Does life ever really measure up to expectation?

We explore:

• Why expectations often lead to disappointment (and why we rarely notice them forming)
• The “guess what I’m thinking” trap that leaves partners feeling misunderstood
• How unspoken standards quietly damage relationships
• What Gottman, Esther Perel, and Brené Brown each reveal about unmet needs and perfectionism
• The impossible balance we expect from our partners - lover, best friend, therapist, cheerleader, and co-parent, all in one
• How mismatched expectations play out in everyday life and what it teaches us about communication and choice

Reflection:

Sara and Anna share stories, laughter, and a few hard truths about:

• How resentment grows when expectations stay unspoken
• Why gratitude can shift everything back into perspective
• The difference between healthy standards and impossible ideals
• The importance of co-creating a relationship that’s leak-proof from outside pressures and social media noise

Takeaway:

Life may never fully measure up to the picture we imagined, but joy and connection often live in the imperfect moments. When we let go of rigid expectations and focus on gratitude, curiosity, and communication, we make space for something more real and far more fulfilling.

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

Sara Liddle — info@inflori.co.uk | www.inflori.co.uk

Anna Stratis — coachdocanna@gmail.com | www.coachdocanna.com

Welcome to the podcast! Sara’s wrapped up in jumpers, Anna’s still basking in the Greek sun, and between autumn showers and Mediterranean peaches, we’re diving into the realities of love, life, and expectations.

Love Desk:

Three signs your relationship might have lost its spark (from Psychology Today).

We discuss:

• When imagining life without your partner feels like relief rather than heartbreak
• Why exhaustion might not just be about busyness, it could be emotional burnout
• The quiet loop of “should I stay or should I go?” and what it’s really telling you

Sara and Anna reflect on how love can shift from lightness to heaviness, and how to tell the difference between needing rest and needing change.

Hot Topic: Are we expecting too much from our partners compared to past generations?

We explore:

• How relationships have evolved from practical partnerships to emotional everything
• The impossible modern pressure to find “one person who meets every need”
• Why community and friendships used to carry some of the emotional load
• How to simplify what really matters, defining your top three non-negotiables instead of chasing a perfect checklist

Listener Question:

“I overheard my husband arguing with our child, and my child was actually in the right. What should I do?”

We unpack how to approach disagreements between your partner and your children, including:

• Why timing matters, addressing it later, not in the moment
• How to lead with curiosity, not correction
• Seeing context before assuming who’s right or wrong
• Remembering you’re on the same team, even when emotions run high

Takeaway:

Every relationship goes through transitions. The spark doesn’t have to fade if you stay curious, communicate openly, and remember you’re on the same side.

FREE Connection Guide >> Download Today

Till Next Time

Stay Connected

Sara Liddle — info@inflori.co.uk | www.inflori.co.uk

Anna Stratis — coachdocanna@gmail.com | www.coachdocanna.com