The New Year is a great time to revisit personal and relationship goals and objectives. How did last year go for you and your spouse? Did you achieve shared goals together, or are you still working towards something important? Are the two of you starting the year on a high note, or hoping to heal or repair your relationship? Whatever the season looks like for you, we’ve gathered some of our strongest resources on how to best use this brand new year for a fresh start. Let’s jump in. Conduct a year in review together. Looking back on the previous…
Giving and receiving gifts is a highlight of the holiday season. But sometimes, worries about material items, gift budgets, and possessions can distract us from the true meaning of the holidays. Choosing to refocus on experience and relationships can renew your perspective of the holidays and make this time of year so much more meaningful. If you want to focus on your loved ones and the memories you’ll create with them this year, you’re in the right place. We’ve gathered some tips and ideas to help you and your spouse get started. Let’s take a look. Focus on Connections With…
Holiday travel and family visits can sometimes be challenging. But focusing on joy throughout the season could make your gatherings more memorable. You and your spouse can work together to create happy experiences during your travels. Want to know how you can keep holiday travel more lighthearted? In this post, we’re sharing some tips to help you get going in the right direction. Let’s jump right in. 1. Focus on making happy memories together. Holiday travel is often a source of stress for many people. Rather than focusing on all the things that could go wrong, spend more energy focusing…
During the holidays, we’re often focused on the way things should be. But we also know that life can be unpredictable. That means we have a responsibility to create as much joy and peace for ourselves as we can. There are many ways to welcome joy and peace during the holidays, even during difficult times. In this post, we’re sharing some tips and ideas to help you and your spouse embrace and enjoy the season, whatever it brings. When It Comes to Making Holiday Plans, Stay Open-Minded One of the most significant sources of holiday stress is the question of…
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but they can also be a source of burnout and exhaustion. When the holidays feel stressful, they eventually become difficult to enjoy. If you and your spouse have been feeling burned out around the holidays, it’s time to start reducing stress so you can enjoy the celebrations together again. In this post, we’re sharing three important ways to avoid burnout and over-commitment during the holidays. If you’re ready to gather some important tips to help you take back your joy this year, keep reading. 1. Make your holiday plans as far ahead…
During the holidays, we don’t always emphasize good health. But being psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy sets the stage for enjoyable family interactions and holiday celebrations throughout the season. In this post, we’re sharing a few ways you can focus on your own well-being during the holidays – to the benefit of your marriage and family. Give Yourself the Gift of Healthy Self-Talk We don’t often pay enough attention to our self-talk, but it’s a key component to becoming a healthier person. When we speak to ourselves with love and respect, we’re more likely to be loving and respectful toward…
Thanksgiving is a time of year when gratitude is at the forefront of our minds. We go out of our way to talk about the things and people we’re thankful for during the holiday season. But gratitude – especially for your spouse – is in season all year long. In today’s post, we’re sharing some of our all-time best gratitude resources from the blog. If you’re looking for some special ways to tell your husband or wife thank you any time of year, then keep reading. 1. Gratitude is a Practice First, it’s important to understand that gratitude is a…
It’s almost Thanksgiving, and for many couples, the holidays bring opportunities to nurture family harmony. It’s common for couples to experience family conflict during the holiday season, especially since there are so many events and gatherings to attend. You’re likely spending more time together than usual. There are also traditions to consider – and traditions tend to carry a lot of emotion for those who hold them dear. However, it’s possible to emphasize harmony over conflict when you gather with family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year. When you approach family gatherings in a loving way – even difficult…
Do your spouse’s friends make you feel bad about yourself? It’s incredibly painful when your spouse’s friends belittle, make fun of you, or otherwise treat you in a way that makes you feel inferior. Not only is it wrong of them; it hurts when your spouse doesn’t seem to notice how you’re feeling. So how are you supposed to handle this situation? Friendship dynamics that make you feel badly about yourself must be addressed between you and your spouse. If this situation is left to fester unresolved, it will continue to erode your self-worth. Ultimately, it will negatively impact your…
Do you and your spouse disagree on politics, social issues, or other deeply-held beliefs? As individuals, we’re deeply impacted by how we see the world around us. Maybe we’re passionate about certain issues or causes, and we don’t necessarily see eye-to-eye with our spouse. Sometimes, these beliefs and opinions could be totally at odds. We’ve all experienced and observed heated conversations and disagreements about political and social issues. These exchanges can leave us feeling upset and depleted. If you’ve found yourself in that position with your spouse, it can be incredibly uncomfortable. The question is, can spouses with different political…