Zero Negativity Challenge: Can Your Relationship Survive 30 Days Without Put-Downs?

It sounds almost impossible: go a month without a single put-down, sarcastic remark, or rolling eye. Couples who try the Zero Negativity Challenge often discover just how reflexive negativity has become. On day one, a parent slaps a frownie sticker on the calendar as her husband doubts the whole idea. Three days later, she catches herself in an all-caps text—and quietly sighs as another sticker goes up, this time with a rueful grin.

Tracking daily progress, whether with a calendar or stickers, brings accountability out of the shadows and turns it into a shared game. It’s not about being flawless—everyone slips—it’s about noticing, discussing the triggers, and getting better at calling out negativity before it poisons the day. The visual reminders, silly as they seem, actually help partners remember their commitment and approach slip-ups with humor and forgiveness instead of shame. Over time, these moments of awareness stack up, and the home’s emotional tone becomes lighter and more welcoming.

Behavioral psychology confirms that change happens when people track progress, keep commitments visible, and replace harsh habits with conscious, neutral resets. The magic is in the repetition, not in getting it perfect.

Challenge yourself and your partner to thirty days free of negativity—no biting jokes, no eye-rolling, no sighs that sting. Use something fun and visible, like stickers or a daily scorecard, to keep each other honest and add a little levity to the effort. When one of you slips, grab the calendar, pop on a sticker, and talk it out together, then start fresh. You’ll be amazed how a tiny accountability tool can shine a light on habits you didn’t even know you had—and how fast your home’s mood can change. Try it as an experiment next month.