In my early twenties, a friend of mine who is ten years older than me said, “It’s either a 98% problem or a 2% problem.” At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate the years of wisdom she had just bestowed upon me as I didn’t fully understand. Fast forward to my late thirties, and the light bulb went off in a big way! It’s true when you are having sex and/or physically connecting with your partner suddenly, life is a 2% problem. Take all of that away and everything; I mean EVERYTHING is closer to being a 98% issue.

Example. When my husband and I started dating a few months into our relationship, we finally had an entire weekend together. No kids. No pets. Just the two of us to thoroughly explore all we had been curious about. He loves the drama of creating big meals. He cooked the best dinner, which I recall thoroughly enjoying, but I absolutely cannot tell you what it was. Then, the next day, we engulfed a giant breakfast. The pile of dishes was stacking up, but we were too involved in one another to care for or show that we prefer dishes to be done the same day.

Either way, by the third day, we hadn’t loaded the dishwasher even once. As our weekend was finally coming to an end, we stared at this looming pile of doom and said, “Not right now.” We agreed to enjoy one final moment in bed together before allowing the reality to sink in that we would be parting ways in just a few hours.

Then it hit me…suddenly, after connection, we felt like there were three dishes, not thirty. We each took on our own parts, played music, and danced along as if doing the dishes was just part of living life together.

I promise, up until that point, those dishes were a 98% issue. Connecting with him, being present in the moment while gifting myself the pure joy that comes from physical contact, and being pushed to a place of euphoria left any mountain I needed to climb 98% smaller than what it was even thirty minutes prior.

Today, we will look at each other and say, “I need to turn this problem into a 2% issue.” We both get it. His touch tells me he is there, standing in the muck with me. Every kiss reminds me why I chose this guy in the first place. There is nothing more comforting than being wrapped up in one another, so why do we not remind ourselves of this when we are years into a relationship?

Now, well into my forties, I can tell you it is imperative we do not forget this 2% rule.

As a species, we are tribal. We are wired to connect with others. When you connect in the most intimate ways with your partner, life will take on a new stride. You will see a vast improvement in not only your relationship but in how you conquer the daily grind. Give yourself the gift of owning a 2% problem while enjoying intimacy with your partner. I mean, who doesn’t want to start the day with a screaming orgasm? I know I do!

Now go get it!

This was written by our contributing writer, Tiffani Bourriague.