Morning cherish7:30 AM5 min · Fondness & admirationName one specific thing you admire about your partner before the day takes over. Gottman found that fondness is the antidote to contempt — the most corrosive of the Four Horsemen.
State of the Union10 AM60 min · Principle 7 · Shared meaningA weekly meeting: appreciate, raise one issue with a softened startup, plan the week, and tend shared meaning (rituals, roles, goals, symbols).
Sliding-door watch12:30 PM5 min · Turn towardTrust is built in tiny “sliding door” moments: a sigh, a comment, a look. You can turn toward, turn away, or turn against. Masters turn toward about 86% of the time.
Ritual of connection9:30 PM5 min · Shared meaningEnd the day with a small, reliable ritual: a six-second kiss, a reunion hug, or a two-line “how are we?” check. Predictable warmth is the wall of trust.