57: Relationship Burnout: How to Make LRE feel like NRE Again

Feeling disconnected or depleted in your long-term relationship while totally lit up by someone new? You're not broken—and neither is your relationship. This is a natural progression of relationships, but it doesn't have to be the death knell!

In this episode of the Let’s Talk Polyamory Podcast, we explore what happens when burnout shows up in your long-term relationship—often the one where you share a home, kids, responsibilities or calendar—while you’re riding the high of New Relationship Energy (NRE) somewhere else. Inspired by a recent CNN article and relationship expert Esther Perel’s insights, we unpack the real causes of burnout: emotional labor, domestic imbalance, identity loss, over-functioning, and the exhaustion of being the constant container for your partner’s emotions.

We also share our own personal stories about what helps us keep our long-term relationship feeling playful, connected, and fresh—even while managing real-life stressors.

From RAADAR Relationship Reviews and quality time rituals, to creating intentional transitions around new connections, we’ll walk you through practical ways to rekindle the energy you crave—including simple habits backed by research, like the Gottmans’ 5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions that helps relationships stay strong and emotionally resilient.

In this episode, we cover:💡 What burnout really looks like in long-term relationships🧯 The top causes of relationship fatigue (hint: it’s not just about desire)💘 Why NRE feels so good—and how to channel that energy intentionally into other relationship🛠️ Tools for making LRE feel exciting again (without pretending it’s brand new)👫 Our own practices for keeping long-term love feeling alive

💌 Ready for deeper support? Check out our Poly Newbies Digital Course or join us in the next round of our Polyamory Mastery Program. Links in the show resources below👇

Show Resources:

• CNN Article about Relationship burnout: https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/03/health/relationship-burnout-wellness

• Want to know more about NRE? Check out the episode, New Relationship Energy: The Awesome & The Awful - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IbCK3XZ1louXULbFvAwyR?si=pvkCoL8XRJCKBXjhZ-_fqg
• How Can I Hit the Reset Button and Free Myself From Resentments (YouTube) - https://youtu.be/au6-N8qZTDU?si=PZknyyGE8r_15ASp
• Looking for therapy? Reach out to host André Turcotte and arrange a complimentary therapy consultation at andreturcottepsych@gmail.com
• Book a complimentary coaching consultation call with Tara at: ⁠https://go.taraandandre.com/relationshiprescue⁠
• Let’s Talk Polyamory Facebook Group & Community - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/letstalkpoly⁠⁠⁠
• Want to have wildly successful, secure and sexy non-monogamous relationships? Join us for the Poly Newbies Digital Course - https://courses.letstalkpolyamory.com/polynewbiesspecialoffer
• Want a deeper dive, customized program with more direct support from T&A, join us in Polyamory Mastery - https://go.taraandandre.com/polyamorymastery