HOW TO SURVIVE DUMP MONTH

Relationship expert and author Simone Milasas shares her top tips for staying coupled-up over Christmas

Relationship: Are You Sure You Want One? by Simone Milasas and Brendon Watt

(Access Consciousness Publishing, $25) is out now.

GET VULNERABLE

“Ask your partner questions and be clear about what you want. If it’s a relatively new relationship, talk about your priorities, asking: What would you like to do for Christmas? Is it important to you to spend time with your family, or do you want to hang out together?”

DITCH EXPECTATIONS

“If you have expectations of your partner over the festive season, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Stop projecting and start being present. Getting rid of expectations is like working out at the gym: you can’t go for a day and come out buff, you have to work hard and train. When you notice yourself getting caught up in expectations, stop and recognise that.”

SHAKE THINGS UP

“We should all live every day like Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in

50 First Dates, waking up each morning and starting anew (instead of staying mad with your partner for not taking the rubbish out yesterday). Take a moment to look at your partner and say, ‘I’m grateful to have you. How did I get so lucky?’”