Life has its ups and downs, and so does marriage. But is being married supposed to feel like an emotional roller coaster? Whether you’ve been married for over a decade or are a newlywed, it’s possible for your feelings to ebb and flow. The marriage game can sometimes feel like the best kind of thrill ride. Other times, being married can be fraught with challenges. These ups and downs can potentially impact how you feel about your spouse from one day to the next. So what should you do when you struggle to connect with those good feelings about your…
Many people feel uncertain about the idea of marriage. If you’ve experienced pain in past relationships or even observed divorce in your family, it’s normal to be unsure if you ever want to get married at all. But let’s say you’re dating someone or thinking about getting engaged. How can you approach the idea of marriage with a fresh perspective? In today’s post, we’ll discuss why a person might feel skeptical about getting married and offer our thoughts on how to shift your thinking. Past Experiences and Observations Inform Our Outlook on Marriage Considering how your background might have affected…
Do marriages work well when spouses have a significant age gap? Love knows no bounds, and that’s true regarding age. You and your dating partner, fiance, or spouse might be ten, fifteen, or twenty years apart. Regardless of your age difference, a happy and fulfilling marriage is possible. Marriage generally has its ups and downs, without factoring in significant age differences. An age gap creates different circumstances than marrying someone around the same age. In contrast, there are some unique considerations to consider before marrying someone much older or younger than you. Age Differences vs. Differences in Core Values Age…
So you’re brand new empty nesters. What do you do? Sending your last adult child off to their next adventure is always a big adjustment, whether that’s college, the workforce, or marriage. Everything is quiet at home now, and it’s just you and your spouse for the first time in years. How will you adjust to life alone as a couple? Becoming empty-nesters is exciting for many couples. For others, it seems daunting. After all, you spend the last couple of decades focused on raising kids. If you had multiple children, your house was full of life and activity. With…
So let’s say your spouse acts like a “know-it-all” in certain situations. What can you do about it? When you’re married to someone for a long time, certain parts of their personality can feel challenging. We all have imperfections and traits that may clash with others. Some of those traits make social interactions more difficult than they should be. If your spouse tends to behave like a know-it-all, you have probably felt this discomfort. You can’t change your spouse’s behavior, but there are some things you can do to encourage improvement. One of the greatest gifts of marriage is that…
Do you and your spouse ever dwell on what might have been? Ruminating on alternative scenarios, such as being married to someone different from your spouse, can create tension in your marriage. It can also fuel bitterness if the two of you are facing difficult times. While it’s human nature to think about different possibilities, dwelling on what might have been could be harmful to your relationship. Curiosity Can Breed Insecurity Sometimes, we find ourselves speculating about different possible outcomes out of simple curiosity. These conversations can start out innocently enough, then later create hurt feelings. For instance, you and…
So your spouse has a bad habit. Can you help them break it? Well, it’s possible to help, but the answer isn’t exactly straightforward – and it might surprise you. You can’t force your spouse’s change, but it’s possible to support it. If you’re wondering what you can do to help your spouse break an unhealthy habit, read on. Realize That Your Spouse Must Want Change However you feel about this habit, it’s not enough for your spouse to make changes just for you. They must desire change for themselves. Their motivation to change must come from within – not…
Nobody expects to feel bored in their marriage, but sometimes it happens. And the problem is more common than you might think. Boredom sneaks up on us. By the time we realize what’s going on, we’re feeling like we’ve lost the energy and the spark in our marriage. We find ourselves wondering when we stopped having fun together, and when we stopped looking forward to spending time with one another. You might be feeling embarrassed to admit that you’re feeling bored. But if you start to pay attention to how you feel, then you can also work to find solutions….
In today’s society, it’s not unusual to feel skeptical about the institution of marriage. That’s especially true if you grew up in a family where divorce was common. It can be easy to question the necessity of marriage, especially if you feel fearful of it. If you’re dating or engaged, maybe your significant other wants to tie the knot – and maybe you aren’t quite ready for that step. You might find yourself questioning how necessary it is to get married. If that sounds familiar, we’re here to help. Marriage Has Depth, Beauty, and Sacredness It’s difficult to describe the…
Most married couples dated other people before they met one another. Sometimes, exes remain friends, and other times, they lose touch, only to reconnect down the road. Regardless of the scenario, if you’re married, should you keep or rekindle a friendship with an ex? If you’re unsure whether this friendship is the right move for your marriage, then you’re probably feeling ambivalent about the possibility. There are some important factors to consider before jumping right in. Let’s talk through some questions you can ask yourself to make the best decision for you and your spouse. Are Old Feelings Being Stirred…