The Viral 'Petite Romance' Concept Could Change Your Relationships With Small Acts Of Love

It's easy to spend hours together when you first start dating someone. The sparks are flying and everything is new. But as time goes by and you settle into your life together, other responsibilities also begin to enter the picture. Suddenly, it's not just about you and your significant other anymore. There's work to do, bills to pay, in-laws to keep happy, social engagements to attend, and so on. 

With the busyness of life, birthdays and anniversaries become days when there's more pressure to do something special. Should you plan an exotic vacation? Or maybe your partner would appreciate an elaborate couples' massage? While these grand gestures can do a lot for a relationship, they're not the only ways you can show your love for your spouse — especially when special occasions aren't on the horizon.

When we hear the word "romance," we might think of some movie relationships that are #relationshipgoals. Richard Gere's character in "Pretty Woman" climbing up a rickety fire escape after arriving in a white limo, a bouquet of red roses in hand, to meet his love Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) is one such classic scene. But, according to a new viral concept on TikTok, there's another, more feasible way to do romance.

Think about that one time you were working from home and stressed beyond belief because of something going on in your job. Your partner came home with food from the local takeout place you love to cheer you up — do you remember how loved you felt? What about the time you both took a walk to unwind after a long week and they reached over and plucked a flower for you just 'cause? 

According to TikToker Wildlin Pierrevil, the more sustainable way of showing your partner you care is through what he terms "petite romance." This cute and refreshing idea revolves around focusing on the small acts of love and doing them consistently. Grand gestures are fine for special occasions but they're also time-consuming and expensive, which makes them exhausting to maintain as a steady love language.

As Pierrevil argued, "The key is that there is no crash. There is no burnout ... I can give my partner a consistent stream of affection and intimacy without feeling like I have to take breaks in between." Trying to live up to what the movies or someone else's highlight reel on social media tell us about romance isn't healthy. You may have heard the saying, "It's the little things that count." And that's exactly what petite romance is all about. 

As far as Pierrevil is concerned, "petite romance" doesn't have to be just for your romantic relationships. It can extend to your friends and family too. The key is to be thoughtful and consistent. Being thankful makes us happy, so why not practice gratitude with your partner too? A simple habit of saying "thank you" more often can make them feel appreciated. Cook them breakfast every Saturday morning or simply bring back flowers or a treat on a random day of the week. 

As licensed marriage and family therapist Shar'ron Mason explained to Psych Central, "Being observant of what the other [person] needs and wants and giving in ways that speak to those needs and wants can strengthen all relationships." Try listening more intently when your partner talks about their day. Ask them questions and be present. Offer them encouragement or praise if they've achieved something. If they hate a certain chore, do it for them to take some of the stress away.  

If you both enjoy food, cooking together could be the secret ingredient your relationship needs to thrive. It's easy to forget that your partner cares when life gets busy. This is when uncertainty creeps in. The whole idea behind "petite romance" is to find ways to show you care without burning yourself out. It's an exercise in building intimacy. As Pierrevil put it, small acts of affection are a great way to let your partner know that they are "riding shotgun" in your mind.