Happy Marriage

The pandemic has caused most couples to spend more time than usual with their partners.

While some saw this as a re-introduction or an opportunity to discover so many amazing things about their partners, others saw otherwise.

Some grew sick and tired of spending so much time with their partners that they ended up fighting day in and day out. A number of married couples found themselves questioning why they even married each other in the first place!

Not exactly how we expected 2020 to turn out, right?

What’s interesting about this is that we spend most of our lives looking for the perfect partner. Some of us even make lists that we put checks on each time we meet someone we could potentially spend the rest of our lives with.

If the person passes with flying colors, we start dating them and dream of a happy marriage.

But if we discover enough things about them that we don’t like, well…we part ways or friend-zone them.

Once we’re in a relationship with the “perfect person,” we expect everything to go smoothly. But what we fail to realize is that a healthy relationship requires a LOT of effort and sacrifice to work.

There’s no single formula for a happy and healthy relationship because we’re cut from different cloths. What works for one couple may not work for another, but there are some things worth looking into to have a stress-free relationship.

Acknowledge Each Other’s Strengths

People do more and are at their best when they’re valued and appreciated for who they are and what they do; they’re motivated to improve as a person so they can make their partner happy.

You’ll be surprised at how a simple “thank you” or “I appreciate what you did” will improve a marriage.

Learn How to Forgive

Forgiveness is always a touchy subject because not everyone’s okay with it. 

For some people, forgiveness means being okay with what happened, which doesn’t sit well with them. There’s this sense of justice that needs to be satisfied – for the one at fault to face the consequences of their actions. 

Truth is, this mindset hurts a relationship because it shows that the relationship is transactional – that it’s more contractual instead of being based on unconditional love.

Since forgiveness is essential to a better marriage, tweaking its definition might help. 

Instead of thinking that we’re letting our partner off the hook when we forgive them, we can look at it as being kind to ourselves. The more we carry anger in our hearts, the more we won’t enjoy life. Who’d want that, right? 

Sort Things Out

Since we’re talking about forgiveness we might as well add communication to the list.

Most couples make the mistake of talking to their friends or relatives about issues they have with their partner. While this is understandable, it often leads to bigger problems in the future. 

Suppressed feelings and lack of communication will destroy a relationship. 

Having a better marriage means having better communication. 

Lay your cards on the table, talk to your partner about how you feel, and ask them to help you resolve these issues. 

Remember, too, that it’s not always about what you say; it’s how you say it, so be mindful of your words and tone of voice. Create a safe, welcoming space for communication. You’ll be surprised at how much this will improve a marriage. 

One of the things that 2020 emphasized is the value of relationships. 

Being forced into a situation loaded with uncertainties taught us to cherish the time we get to spend with people who mean the world to us. 

We’re in the 2nd half of 2020. Instead of striving for perfection, let’s strive for healthier and happier relationships this year…and every year after.