4 Surprising Ways You Invest in Your Marriage

When you think of investing in something, what comes to mind? If money immediately pops into your head, you’re probably not alone. It’s true – investing is often associated with finances. But in this post we’ll be talking about what is arguably the most important investment in your life – your marriage!

When you get married, you’re investing all you have into that commitment – financially, sure – but also on levels much deeper than that. Energy, time, emotion, love – you put all of those eggs into the basket that is your marriage. You’re banking on a lifelong commitment and a future together.

So what does this look like in the context of everyday life? Here are four surprising ways you invest in your marriage:

1. You address the tough issues – and table them if you need to.

Dealing with contentious issues in your marriage isn’t fun. So when you face conflict head-on, it doesn’t always feel like you’re doing something right. It can be uncomfortable and tense and just plain difficult. It can feel like you’re stirring the pot unnecessarily, especially when you easily could have just swept the issue aside for the time being. But when you choose to be proactive about these issues instead of sitting in complacency, you stop resentment from festering and prevent bigger, more insidious problems from taking root. And those issues that you know won’t get resolved right away? You understand that working through it together for the long-term benefit of your marriage is more important than resolving things quickly.

2. You focus on yourself.

It seems counterintuitive, but it’s not about being selfish or narcissistic. When it comes to investing in your marriage, it’s about working on yourself to be a better spouse. That might be learning more about your own triggers and insecurities, or becoming aware of the things that you struggle with and taking the initiative to work on them. Or it might be taking care of yourself physically and mentally to ensure you’re able to be there in full capacity for your spouse and family long-term.

3. You set goals together.

Whether it’s saving up for a big home renovation, striving to live a healthier lifestyle, or trying to make regular date nights a reality, setting goals together requires a certain level of commitment. It means you’re aligned on what you’re working toward, and you’re able to communicate to achieve that alignment. Depending on the scope of the goal, it might require long-term planning and sacrifice. You’ll need to be a source of support and encouragement to each other along the way.

4. You don’t try to change each other.

Your spouse isn’t perfect, but who is? Sure, they have traits and quirks that drive you nuts and vice versa. But you know that trying to change each other’s personality is ultimately a waste of time and energy. When you fully accept and love your spouse for who they are, it can create a positive shift throughout your entire relationship. You appreciate each other more and learn to leverage your differences instead of working against them. When you’re not holding each other to unrealistic expectations, you both feel more satisfied in your relationship. And when you embrace each others true selves, you create the best foundation for growing both individually and as a couple.

Investing in your marriage on a daily basis might not be about dollars and cents, but it does have a big payoff: a strong connection, a dynamic marriage, a sense of security in your commitment to each other, and the knowledge that you can count on each other no matter what life throws your way.