Posts in category: Life Style

And, apparently, there are Easter eggs to back this theory up. For instance, in one video (set to Taylor Swift’s ‘Mastermind,’ duh) a fan explains her theory that there are four more episodes coming—because of a comment from the official Summer I Turned Pretty account and something about October 8 matching the Conrad-coded infinity sign. There are plenty of similar fan videos going around.

Now, I could be wrong, but sadly, I don’t think so—I think it’s all coming to an end with just one more episode. And what’s more, I think it’s high time it did. Please bear with me while I explain.

The Summer I Turned Pretty so far

First, a quick recap to get us all up to speed. Based on Han’s popular YA trilogy, Prime’s The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin, a teen who spends her summers hanging out in Cousins (a fictional coastal New England town) with her mom’s best friend, Susannah Fisher, and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. The whole thing (all 36 episodes of it) is basically a dance of will-Belly-choose-Conrad-or-Jeremiah. For the uninitiated, yes, this is a fraternal love triangle we’re talking about here.

In season 1, Belly’s long-standing crush for Conrad finally seems to be about to pay off. However, unexpected flirtation with Jeremiah throws a spanner in the works. In season 2, she has a brief relationship with Conrad, but things fall apart after Susannah dies and Conrad struggles to be a good boyfriend. (Belly could have been a little more understanding about him forgetting her corsage after, you know, the death of his mother, but she is a teenager after all—and that is a topic for another time.) Anyway, they breakup and somehow, everyone thinks it’s ok for Belly to start dating his younger brother, Jeremiah.

In season 3, we fast forward four years and Belly and Jeremiah are still together having dated all through university. Conrad has disappeared to studying premed on the other side of the country where he silently pines for Belly. Jeremiah and Belly get engaged, seemingly as a way to prove their relationship after he cheats on her (or at least hooks up with a rando hours after they take a break). As Jeremiah becomes more and more annoying and less and less appealing, Conrad sidles back onto the scene and he and Belly have a lot of yearning moments in Cousins in the run up to the wedding. Conrad tells Belly he loves her, Jere tells Belly he knows she still loves Conrad, and the wedding is called off. And this is where we found ourselves two weeks ago with three little episodes left to go.

Engagement nails are often minimalist–think French manicures or neutral shades–which makes sense in the era of Instagram announcement posts, with your ring finger hand on full display, says celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik, whose clientele includes Jennifer Lopez and Selena Gomez. But it’s your special day (or, the run-up to your special day), so we say the rules are yours to make.

Nail artist Brittney Boyce counts Olivia Rodrigo, Megan Fox and Kim Kardashian as regular clients, and she reports seeing more experimentation with colour and design. The best engagement nail, she says, is the one you love. “This all just comes down to personal style,” she says. For some, that’s a short natural nail. For others, it’s the Swarovski-encrusted nails JLo recently wore (scroll on for the inspiration, of course).

So whether you’ve already found your forever person or are still using those crystals to attract him, her, or them into your life, it’s never too early to start brainstorming. Below are 27 engagement nail ideas to get those glam creative juices flowing. You’ll need this for when you book that nail salon appointment.

Nice and nude

One caveat? Eating carbs with protein can limit the effect. (More on that below.)

The best serotonin foods

Aside from carbohydrate-rich whole grains, food sources of serotonin-boosting tryptophan include nuts, pulses and certain animal products such as cheese, eggs and fish. Here are more serotonin foods worth adding to your plate:

Apricots

This sweet source of tryptophan contains high amounts of vitamin B3, which also has a positive effect on the state of mind. Dates and figs are also high in tryptophan.

Soybeans

Soybeans, which belong to the legume family, contain an impressive 415 mg of tryptophan per 100 g when cooked. They also provide the body with plenty of B vitamins, fibre and phytochemicals.

Cheese

Cheese-lovers, rejoice: Parmesan and cheddar have especially high tryptophan levels.

Fatty fish

Salmon, mackerel, sardines and tuna are good sources of tryptophan, vitamin B6, and the essential omega-3 fatty acids.

Pineapple

Pineapple promotes serotonin production and has sleep-inducing and anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Cherries

Cherries activate serotonin production while simultaneously promoting the production of endorphins, dopamine, and noradrenaline

Nuts and seeds

Nuts like cashews, as well as seeds like sunflower seeds, contain a high level of tryptophan.

Dark chocolate

Chocolate contains both phenylethylamine and tryptophan, which help increase serotonin. To get the maximum benefits, a cocoa content of at least 70% is ideal.

Pumpkin

Not only is it high in tryptophan and gut-happy fibre, but pumpkin also contains vitamin A, C, E, beta-carotene, potassium and magnesium.

Eggs

High in protein, calcium, and vitamin D, one large egg contains approximately 77 milligrams (mg) of tryptophan.

Avocado

One-third of a medium avocado contains approximately 13 mg of tryptophan, but the fruit is also packed with healthy fats as well as magnesium and B vitamins.

The conditions of happiness

With all this in mind, it’s important to note that eating lots of tryptophan doesn’t automatically ensure a rush of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin’s formation also depends on other substances, namely magnesium and vitamins B3, B6 and D. And, as mentioned in the case of carbs above, eating too much protein can have a counterproductive effect, as protein can actually slow the absorption of tryptophan.

That said, there’s no need to get confused. As with all things wellness-related, it’s all about balance. So next time you feel blue, go ahead and make a reservation at your favourite pizza place, and don’t feel guilty about a slice of dark chocolate cake. An occasional indulgence can, quite literally, make you happier.

This article first appeared on Vogue.de

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Diwali is known as the festival of lights, but it is not always about lighting the houses with Diya and decorating with Rangolis – it is also a question about wearing your wonderful ethnic outfits. The Lehenga is constantly a famous preference for women`s party outfits due to the fact it is beautiful, comfortable, and easy to move around in. The Lehenga fashion is developing as we move into Diwali 2025. It combines old-style crafts with new styles.

If you’re planning to shine this festive season, here’s your guide to the must-have lehenga looks for Diwali 2025.

1. The Revolution of Pastel Colors

Bright colorings have continually been famous for Diwali, however in 2025, pastels and diffused tones are all of the rage. These colorings are high-quality for a daytime celebration due to the fact that they add a touch of class. Very contemporary right now are pastel lehengas in mint green, blush pink, and purple.

We`ve joined the pastel lehengas fashion at our online store with the aid of offering more than a few elegant and festive choices. Our designs use smooth color schemes and small amounts of information to ensure you stand out without being too much.

2. Eco-Friendly Fashion takes the Lead

People consider sustainability when they dress up for Diwali 2025, similar to how they do every year. More and more eco-friendly buyers are searching out clothing made from sustainable materials. This is ideal information for the Earth. These days, eco-friendly cloth like natural cotton, handwoven silk, and reused metal are finding their way into lehengas.  You may enjoy something about carrying those eco-friendly clothes. 

Our new series indicates that we care about the style that is ideal for the surroundings. We made lehengas, which can be suitable for the environment by combining current thoughts on sustainability with traditional Indian Styles. You could make a nice impact on the arena even as you search for a Diwali lehenga from our sustainable series.

3. Blending Modern and Traditional Designs

Establishing classic models and new models is what Diwali 2025 is. Designers test new cuts, asymmetric models and screen models that do not follow the instructions; However, they still retain the spirit of traditional concepts of Lehenga. This classic mixture once again gives you a completely unique appearance that you can wear in many Diwali events.

Our lehengas have modern shapes with traditional decorations to follow this trend of mixing styles. Our fusion lehengas will make you stand out in a good way whether you’re going to a formal family meeting or a fun party with friends.

4. The Comeback of Heavy Embroidery

The trend of minimalism had its time, but heavy embroidery and decorations are back in style for Diwali lehengas in 2025. Zari work, mirror embellishments, and thread embroidery are all making a strong comeback. They add a bit of grandeur to party clothes. These lehengas with plenty of sewing are brilliant for night occasions in which you need to stand out.

Many of the lehengas in our collection have plenty of small flora and beads on them to make you feel like a princess. Our artists make styles that might be each complicated and exquisite in tried-and-true ways. This will make you sparkle and shine at every Diwali party.

5. Embracing the Minimalist Glam Style

There is likewise smooth glam that humans want to put on for Diwali 2025. Lehengas with easy designs, easy lines and extremely good fabric are excellent for individuals who like their fashion to be lovely without drawing too much attention to it. They are fantastic for individuals who need their clothes to do the speaking or who want to wear them to smaller Diwali parties.

Simple glam can appear excellent, so our series has lehengas that might be both easy and classy. The silk and chiffon used to make these lehengas are very nice, and they have a gentle splendor. This is excellent for today`s woman.

6. Strong Patterns and Bright Colors

Even though pastels are famous right now, a number of people still like vibrant colors and styles for Diwali 2025. This vacation season, deep red, royal blue, and emerald green are all vibrant colors that human beings need to wear. They appear outstanding due to the fact that they have got massive prints of paisleys, flowers, and geometric shapes. Because they’re so shiny, those lehengas are top-notch for individuals who need to face out.

New to our shop are a variety of shiny and bold lehengas, which might be ideal for Diwali. You may be the star of each occasion in our collection of Indian outfits due to the fact that they have bold colorings and patterns that make you stand out.

7. The Charm of Velvet Lehengas

Velvet lehengas will be in fashion once more in 2025, so that you can make Diwali events a bit extra fashionable. When you add plenty of embroidery and different information to velvet, it takes on a royal appearance that`s incredible for occasions at night. This season, velvet lehengas are regularly made in deep jewel tones.

We modified the manner in which the silk skirt appears by including new and vintage parts. Someone who desires to make an elegant and fashionable declaration for the duration of Diwali has to wear one of our silk lehengas.

There are many unique style patterns around Diwali 2025, so there`s something for all people and every event. There is a lehenga fashion for all people, whether or not you like the aesthetic appearance of pastels, the wealthy appearance of masses of embroidery, or the clean appearance of glam. We’re excited for those trends to return to existence through our carefully picked lines.

Our most up-to-date variety of lehengas permits you to locate the perfect outfit for Diwali. We promote more than simply lehengas. When you wear one of ours, you show off a combination of old-style fashion and modern ease.

Read more – Indo-Western Elegance: Fashion Tips for Modern Men and Women

Cosmic tip: The sun and the moon shine for each other, only to kiss every once in a while.

How much longer will you hide from the arena, Sag? How much longer will you keep shying away because you think you have lost your spark? Shine like a courageous peony, and honour your multifaceted nature. Time is not running out, and neither are you clocking out. So stop absorbing what is not yours. Take off from social media for a day and put your phone on dnd (if possible) or at least only answer when necessary. This will not only help you retrieve your own energy but also disconnect from others’ thoughts, ideas, and vibes that are not serving you in any way.

Cosmic tip: When you see yourself further along a path, walk on it.

This clip, fused with Saturn retrograde, is a mental one for all you Capricorns. If rock bottom ever hit a new low—your life would be the definition of it—depending on whichever way you are viewing this and whatever it is you are experiencing in your life. But hey, whenever you need a pep talk—you know your Angels and guides are always ready! And here they come, you’ll survive this. You’ll survive this health challenge, you’ll survive this financial challenge, you’ll survive anything that you are currently trying to survive! New solutions and beginnings are on the horizon. Just let your past go as gently as you can. Forgive yourself, your parents, your ancestors or anyone or anything that may have once hurt you—or at least try to get neutral about it. You may not see it yet, but this is what has consumed you. And it’s time you let it go.

Cosmic tip: In letting go, you don’t become defenceless, you reclaim your power.

When you walk through the empty hallways beneath the stars, do you feel one with the cosmos, Aquarius? Your heart is a portal to higher love, divine insights and other realms that you think are unreal, but they come alive just as you think of them. Specific message for some: empty that heart out, Aquarius, so that newness, freshness and divine insights and solutions may flow in. When you take a deep breath and focus, do you realise that your heart expands enough for you to feel cushioned and able to walk through its doorway with ease? Come back to your sense of harmony and peace.

Cosmic tip: Come back home, into your heart.

Zoom out, Pisces. The intelligence of the cosmos lies within you. Your voice matters, your ideas matter and your light matters. It doesn’t matter how you look—what matters is how you turn up and shed your light when it matters most. You are a living port, and you, my dear, must always remember this.

Cosmic tip: What will you allow to be birthed through you?

Step into Swadesh’s flagship in Churchgate brings together more than 500 Indain crafts under one roof. From Lucknow’s chikankari and Gujarat’s beaded potlis to Kashmir’s papier-mâché and Mughal-era pacchikari, each handcrafted piece stands as a living tribute to the country’s rich cultural legacy and the artisans who keep it alive.

Where: Eros building, Churchgate, Mumbai.

Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio

Spread across 50,000 square feet, Pernia’s Pop-Up Studio in the 119-year-old Ismail Building moves from a jewel-toned arched foyer to sequin-lined displays. Inside is a curated selection of India’s leading couturiers, bespoke bridal services and fine jewellery labels, making the space a key address for luxury fashion in the city.

Where: Flora Fountain, Ismail Building, Fort, Mumbai.

Papa Don’t Preach

Papa Don’t Preach’s New Delhi boutiwue carries the brand’s trademark kaleidoscopic energy. Towering wood-clad panels carved with mythical sea creatures frame the façade, while within, pastel-hued marble floors and blush-toned sculptural columns create a dreamlike setting that mirrors the brand’s bold, experimental spirit.

Where: The Dhan Mill, Chhatarpur, New Delhi.

JJ Valaya Couture and JJV Kapurthala

After a 24-year hiatus from Mumbai, JJ Valaya is set to return with two new stores at Jio World Plaza in BKC on September 24. Both extend his regal design language and storytelling into new formats.

The flagship, JJ Valaya Couture, will launch with East, a collection first shown at the Grand Finale of India Couture Week 2025, which reimagines how the 18th-century West viewed the Orient. Expect handworked silks, velvets, brocades and tulle in antique neutrals and ceremonial reds, alongside bridal ensembles, Alika jackets and the House’s signature chevron motif.

Alongside it, JJV Kapurthala will offer lighter, travel-ready silhouettes–silks and jacquards scattered with fauna prints and metallic detailing–as well as scarves, belts and fragrances. Together, the twin spaces present different facets of Valaya’s world.

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Denim is back, and it is sparkling

Fashion is meant to adapt. So why doesn’t India’s style conversation?

Few things command attention like a structured silhouette that fits like a second skin. That’s the note Tamannaah Bhatia struck in a sculpted denim look from Kristina Fidelskaya. The ensemble, pulled from the brand’s Awakening collection, channels what the house describes as “a beauty that does not demand attention but draws it”, a nod to the feminine spirit’s resilience and grace.

Styled by Leepakshi Ellawadi and her team, the outfit makes a case for power dressing with a sensual edge. Cut in deep indigo denim, it features a sculpted corset bodice with an exaggerated sweetheart neckline, a high-neck, cropped bolero-style jacket with shoulder pads and a pencil skirt that extends till the ankles, creating a clean and elongated silhouette. Sharp shoulders and contour-seamed yellow panels emphasise the waist, golden buttons add a metallic accent along the cuffs and leopard-print slingback heels break the severity of the denim.

Bhatia’s slicked-back hair enhanced the retro-futurism of the look. The makeup leaned into flushed tones—burnished rose on the lids, feathered brows and a lightly glossed lip—balancing the look’s structure with softness.

Power dressing has continually evolved from the Suffragette movement, where it signalled authority, to its softer avatar through Coco Chanel’s tweed sets and sharpened again into the structured suits of the 80s. Tamannaah Bhatia’s look taps into one of its more recent iterations: sensual power dressing. Designs like Dolce & Gabbana’s corseted blazers, Elisabetta Franchi’s tuxedo dresses and Stella McCartney’s cut-out suiting echo this balance where structure is juxtaposed with fluidity.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“This sculpted denim dress is already giving full dominatrix elegance, but it could be pushed further. Swap the leopard pumps for patent leather stilettos to sharpen the silhouette. Pull the hair into a slicker knot or ponytail to echo the dress’s architectural lines. A deeper lip or smoked liner would give the look the full effect,” says Vogue India fashion associate Manglien Gangte.

Even well-intentioned content can reinforce that gap. “Before and after” acne journeys often imply a tidy arc of healing, but many people don’t get an after. For them, acne isn’t a phase. It’s a chronic condition. The idea that you have to be either confident or cured leaves little room for everything in between.

Of course, acne positivity was never meant to glamorise acne. At its best, it offered people permission to be seen in their full, imperfect skin. But when the dominant images remained aspirational—if slightly more textured—it started to replicate the same hierarchy of who gets to be visible, with the glow up becoming a requirement.

Not everyone fits that aesthetic, and some creators are pushing back against this flattening of acne narratives. For Priyanka Ghosh—a beauty content creator with almost 600,000 followers—acne positivity isn’t about romanticising the bumps in aesthetic lighting, but about refusing to let them define her. “I started having acne when I was 13; I’m 33 today, l still get acne every month, around my periods. It has this way of making you feel less wanted, less beautiful, sometimes even less you… A person who suffers from acne tries every fix, every product, every routine, every dermat, every diet. I know because I’ve been there.”

Ghosh lives with PCOS, a chronic condition that contributes to her acne flare-ups. For her, showing her acne is also a way to remind others that they’re not alone in their pain. “I’ve always made a conscious choice to show my bare face without concealer or filters, and talk about my acne issues repeatedly, so people can see that even with access to the best skincare, acne doesn’t always disappear,” she says.

Another tension the movement doesn’t always account for is emotional ambivalence. “You’re either radically accepting of your acne or you’re vain,” Shreya adds. “There’s no space to say, ‘I’m tired of this. I want clear skin. And I also want to be seen as I am.’” But skin is complicated. So is healing. The pressure to either glow through it or fix it quietly recreates the same old dichotomy—just dressed up in inclusive language.

Acne positivity is still valuable. For many, it offers visibility they never had before. But real visibility has to make space for contradiction; for the bad skin days and the good, for the flare-ups that linger and the feelings that don’t resolve on cue.

The most enchanting weddings often feel like they’ve leapt straight out of a fairy tale, with glittering lights, tear-jerking vows and storybook romance. But once the confetti has run out and the cake has been eaten, the marriage that truly begins—a commitment that’s built on something far deeper. The strongest marriages demand hard work, the kind that shows up even when it’s inconvenient. Because while weddings may sparkle, it’s the quiet, consistent tending of love that makes a marriage last. Below, Vogue India lists 26 marriage tips to keep that spark in your relationship alive.

1. Talk about the money, honey

So you’re a double income household run by a power couple with soaring careers and sky-high ambitions? Between income-based power play, stealth overspending and a mismatch in financial values, money can derail things faster than you can count the zeroes in your bank balance. Revisit your financial goals regularly. “Make sure you agree on one simple structure: how do we split bills, save and splurge?” says Lavanya Mohan, chartered accountant, content creator and author of Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees. “You can go 50/50, or pro-rata based on income, or keep a joint account just for shared goals. Whatever works—as long as you both understand it and both feel seen.”

2. Read the Kama Sutra

“The sage Vatsayana wrote that for good sex, the genitals have to be fairly matching in size,” says mythologist and author of The Art of Seduction, Seema Anand. “But obviously, you can’t always go checking the size of people’s genitals before you marry them, so he created a bunch of ways and positions to synchronise those sizes.” There’s also an entire section in the Kama Sutra devoted to what men can do to make a woman fall in love with him, so that she will accept his proposal—just like Hitch, but this advice on romance and foreplay is everlasting.

3. Accept that the in-laws are part of the package

Begin by “sharing what family means to you from a space of understanding context, not from a space of blame,” suggests Mumbai-based psychotherapist Anusha Manjani. “In South Asia, we marry into networks of duty and history. Often what we call ‘interference’ by in-laws is unresolved enmeshment or unconscious loyalty. Partners are often trying to mature from fused roles like the ‘good child’, ‘dutiful son’, ‘obedient daughter-in-law’ and that can create conflict.” So what can you do about this? “Keep the focus on ‘we’—align as a team and be clear on what is okay and not okay when it comes to spending time with family. For example, how do we want to spend our holidays and festivals?” Come to this conversation not with rigid expectations, but patience while being firm and clear. “Think of this not as rebellion, but repair.”

4. Don’t resort to pre-nups

To begin with, says Mohan, pre-nups are not legally recognised in India and can get thrown out of court easily. And secondly, wouldn’t you rather enter a marriage, even one with a wealth imbalance, with openness and clarity? “This may be unsettling, but you’d rather do the hard work of tackling wealth planning early on,” says Mohan. “And if your partner or partner’s family is the one insisting on legalities, don’t be dismissive or look at it as an accusation. Try to understand what’s going on instead and consult your own lawyers on the whys and the whats. This is where you really get to know who you’re marrying, so don’t take this experience for granted.”

5. Drop them a text at odd hours of the day…

Between endless tasks, a mountain of paperwork and a million Zoom calls (that could’ve been an email), it can be hard to take out time for each other when you’re both at work. Harder still when there’s an Instagram reel or Twitter storm always at hand to distract you. “Little updates during breaks like ‘I just ate’ or ‘having such a tough day’ can help you stay connected even when you’re apart,” says New Delhi-based psychologist Divija Bhasin. Memes or emoji work too, if those are your love language.

6. …And make a ritual of reviewing those hours apart

Screens in bed and when we wake up—who are we really married to? “Create intentional screen free rituals,” says Manjani. “Ask them: what was especially joyful or challenging about your day?” It could be at a device-free dinner, while making a cup of coffee or reconnecting at the end of the day while doing chores. “It is not about the amount of time or money spent on dates but more about creating room for daily presence and connection with each other.”

7. Even better: do the day-audit naked

Anand recommends carving out 15 minutes at the end of every day for “very close, intimate, non sex time” and building it into your daily routine. “Lie down with each other naked and cuddle but don’t talk about sexy stuff. Talk about your day. The rule is, this does not lead to sex. This is to remind yourself how good and comforting and nice it feels to touch each other, to truly be with each other.”

8. Those chores are a bore but you’ve got to do them—together

Of course, it isn’t fair that one partner becomes the default chef/maid/ house manager if the other is on a faster growth trajectory. “Sit down to ask: What does a functioning home look like to both of us? What tasks do we hate? What do we not mind? What can we afford to outsource so we don’t end up totally hating each other?” says Mohan. You can also draw up a joint chore schedule. “One person has late-night meetings on Tuesdays? Cool—maybe the other handles dinner that day and they swap on Friday. The idea is to be equitable (different from equal).”

9. And if one really truly can’t? Show up in other ways

Maybe you’re so swamped with your partner track, you actually can’t do the laundry. “But then, perhaps you can handle all the bill payments or weekend grocery runs,” says Mohan. “The point is to demonstrate intent and to say, ‘I see this as our shared load and I want to carry my part’.”

10. Cook together—and make it sexy

Anand suggests practising “relationship foreplay”. The key to good intimacy, she says, is transition: You have to be in the right frame of mind, not still thinking about that email you’re drafting or that contract you need to sign. She suggests watching a comedian together in bed (and naked, if you like) because “you can’t imagine what laughing together can do for your relationship.” Or the very tactile, sensory act of cooking. “Either you turn it into a game or it’s just a simple meal,” says Anand. “Think about the transitions that you actually use so it’s not like cooking with a friend.”

11. Make an offline weekend once a month non-negotiable

“We all have core needs of being seen and heard, and listening with intention and attention is a big part of what is needed to build intimacy today,” says Manjani. A screen-less weekend can do wonders, she says: Stay in and read to each other or play strip Scrabble, go out and explore the city, but take time away from work and your screens. It can “ground, reconnect and bring more care to what the relationship needs”.

12. Take up a regular outdoor activity together

Hit the padel court, go hiking once a week, ride the Peloton—whatever it is, make a habit of getting out of the house and into spaces where you can kick things up a notch, even allow your competitive side to come out and play. “Anything other than that mandatory weekly candlelight dinner date which comes with so much pressure to perform,” says Anand.

13. But also, make (and take) space

They love going on road trips with their friends, you could spend the whole weekend knitting through re-runs of Sex and the City. That’s not just okay, that’s great. There must be space for “each partner to follow their own interests or meet other social circles,” says Manjani. “Be curious and encouraging of their autonomy.”

14. Don’t tell your partner to “cheer up”

It’s never easy: An unexpected anxiety attack while getting ready for work or living under a black cloud for weeks. It’s not easy on them—or you. “But try to learn more about your partner’s mental health problems by reading about it,” says Bhasin. “We often tell people to be positive or be grateful to try and cheer them up but can end up invalidating their feelings in the process.” Instead, seek professional help but also understand that actually taking that help will be their call.

15. Sometimes, let your skin do the talking

“A long hug, holding their hand during a tough conversation, placing your palm gently on their back or leaning into each other can signal ‘I’m here with you, I care for you, I see you’ to your partner’s nervous system,” says Manjani.

16. Tell them what you want—and don’t—in bed

Maybe you don’t want sex after a harrowing week at work, but you do want… something. Set a 15-minute timer for judgement-free play, says Anand, and tell them to give you the neck massage or kisses on your stomach that you’ve been craving. Or, maybe you don’t like how they kiss you. Lack of courage, meet role-play. “A friend in the kink community came up with this wonderful idea,” says Anand, “try light sub and dom play. It’s like a verbal script where you basically issue directions. Plus, you can be sure that your partner is listening at this point because, I’m sorry to say, but a lot of the time they are not.”

17. Don’t keep score

The reality of contemporary life is that we assess the world (and ourselves) in terms of productivity and can end up assigning value based on numbers. Manjani sees a lot of couples “keeping track of who did what or earned how much”. “It is important to use a shared language of respect and not comparison when talking about time and contribution. Try to name—and value the invisible labour and reclaim rest.”

18. Say yes to toys

Sex toys, says Anand, are great to experiment with together because “they can help take the pressure off and then this time can just be for the sheer pleasure of being together. On days when you’re not up to it, it’s wonderful to have mutual masturbation.” And if all of that is too uncomfortable, then play with toys by yourself, she says, without the guilt. “The more you understand your body, the more you can guide your partner. It’s not their job to discover your pleasure points.”

19. Create a ‘forever’ asset together

Maybe it’s real estate, or maybe it’s a joint retirement fund that you will sink into that round-the-world cruise you’ve dreamt of your whole life—but creating a long-term asset or goal together, says Mohan, is a powerful way of showing commitment. “You want to convey that the money you make is not ‘your’ money, but ‘our’ money. If you’re the earning or significantly higher earning partner, proactively include your partner in your financial decision-making process so he or she feels like you’re working towards a joint future.”

20. Make a ritual of reviewing boundaries

Things change. You change. You might have realised you aren’t enjoying something you thought you were flexible about—or the opposite. Anand suggests having monthly talks about boundaries which, just like consent, is not a one-time thing set in stone—and this isn’t even restricted to sex. To make it a conversation, not confrontation, Anand and her partner would gather daisies on walks in the meadows behind their house, and then offer a daisy to each other for each new rule they wanted to set. “Create a ritual. It softens the edges.”

21. Learn to appreciate the small things

Every once in a while, leave them a note noticing the everyday or unsaid gestures, says Manjani. Things like “thank you for always making me laugh at awkward family gatherings” or “thank you for making the reservations whenever we go out to eat.” They’ll love that you’re paying attention.

22. Interested in exploring your kinks? Say it first, act later

Think you might be bisexual? Want to try cuckolding? “Don’t go try it and then come back and say, I enjoyed that,” says Anand. “You have to remember that marriage is like a contract that you sign. There are certain unwritten rules and the main one of monogamy is fidelity.” Talk about it with your partner, she says—you might be surprised at just how willing they are to go along with it.

23. Tread very carefully on the ‘P’ word

If you or your partner want to try polyamory or an open marriage, Anand’s advice is to look up the subject to understand what questions need to be asked. “It’s not as simple as deciding that one wants to also sleep with somebody else at the same time. There are some basic questions you need to deal with that don’t even fall in the emotional paradigm—things like STIs, living arrangements, financial arrangements, legal repercussions. Remember: this requires even higher levels of trust than being monogamous.”

24. When fidelity becomes difficult, try therapy

Maybe it’s not even Tinder; maybe they’re just talking—to ChatGPT. “Even though AI can become a proxy for unmet needs, the actual work is in facing what those needs are—was it emotional availability, curiosity, lack of judgement or distraction? Is it a symptom of loneliness or disconnection, or is one partner trying to reclaim something they have lost—desire, aliveness or validation? In therapy, we don’t rush to close or repair the relationship but create space to understand these needs and check if it is possible to reconnect and repair,” says Manjani.

25. Set up a Google Calendar meet (if you must) for the 3Cs

“Create time to check in with the other,” says Manjani. “Ask: do you need Comfort (need for support and rest), Connection (time to spend together, affection, touch) or Celebration (need to be appreciated or to celebrate a small win)?” And then follow through with action, however small.

26. Sign up for that waltz class

On one side is rhythm and habit (or worst case, total monotony). On the other is discovery and reconnection. “Try new things: dance or doodle, introduce your favourite childhood games and activities to each other,” suggests Manjani. “Find ways to create joy—because that joy is glue.

This story appears in Vogue India’s Wedding Book alongside the September-October 2025 issue. Subscribe here