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Ann Malmberg

8 Tips to Revitalize Your Conversations

8 Tips to Revitalize Your Conversations

By Connection7 Comments

There’s something to be said for being comfortable enough with your spouse that you don’t mind sitting in companionable silence. It doesn’t feel awkward. Neither of you feels obligated to fill the space. You’re content just being together.

On the flip side, your spouse is also the person with whom you talk to the most. You enjoy both serious and silly conversations about everything under the sun… or at least you used to. Lately, it seems like your exchanges have become more mundane than meaningful, more stale than stimulating. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Over time, as you settle into the routines and obligations of daily life, the quality of your conversations can take a hit. While this isn’t a problem on occasion, it can gradually have a negative effect on how connected you feel to each other. The good news is you can avoid this path! Let’s explore 8 tips to revitalize your conversations. Read More

July 17, 2023
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The Downside of Comparison (& What To Do Instead)

The Downside of Comparison (& What To Do Instead)

By Relationship Basics, Resilience3 Comments

Oh look, one of your favorite couples that you follow on social media just went on (another) amazing vacation. They look so happy! They must be doing something right. Scroll, scroll, scroll. Ah, and there’s an old classmate gushing for paragraphs about their spouse… Should I be doing that? Should my spouse be doing that? Hmm, when was the last time we went on a romantic vacation or gushed about each other like that? Is our marriage going stale? Are we doing something wrong?

The pervasiveness of social media and the rise of “influencers” (both individuals and couples) has created innumerable opportunities for comparison to take hold. Even when you know it’s an unhealthy habit to fall into, comparison can creep into your thinking – especially when you’re constantly bombarded with what other couples are sharing about their own lives and relationships. You might begin feeling like your own life and marriage isn’t what it should be. Or perhaps you’ve started having a sense that something is missing. These nagging feelings often start out small, but they can become a larger problem if you’re not careful.

To avoid getting stuck in a rut of comparison, keep these things in mind: Read More

July 12, 2023
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3 Times Making a Wish List Will Save the Day

By Relationship Basics2 Comments

When was the last time you made a wish list? Maybe you have to think all the way back to when you were a kid, dreaming about what you wanted for your birthday. Or perhaps you have a more recent memory of making a big purchase, like buying a house or finding the right car.

Wish lists are not only great for dreaming big, but also for helping you prioritize your wants and needs. And for that reason, they can actually be a big help in a variety of situations you’ll experience throughout your marriage as well. Curious to know more? Keep reading. Read More

July 5, 2023
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The Do's & Dont's of Disappointment

The Do’s and Don’ts of Disappointment

By Conflict8 Comments

Disappointment is pretty much a part of life. Maybe you’re disappointed in a movie you had high hopes for or in the way your homemade cheesecake turned out. You might feel displeased for a short period of time, but it’s nothing you’ll lose sleep over. Other times, disappointment can run deeper, such as when someone you love – like your spouse – lets you down in a way that feels significant and personal. In these situations, you may not get over it so quickly. So what should you do? Read More

June 28, 2023
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4 Ways to Prioritize a Healthy Lifestyle Together

4 Ways to Prioritize a Healthy Lifestyle Together

By ResilienceOne Comment

In sickness and in health… Whether this common phrase was part of your wedding vows or not, if you’re like most couples, you didn’t spend too much time dwelling on the what-if’s that are implied. Instead you were focused on making a lifelong commitment and the general idea of sticking by each other through all of life’s ups and downs. And it’s understandable. One of the exciting parts of getting married is envisioning your future together – sharing dreams, setting goals, and seeing yourselves growing old together.

One major assumption that underlies all of the hopes and dreams you have for a long life together is that you’ll both be healthy enough to be there through it all. While there are plenty of scenarios that are out of your hands, one thing you do have some control over is whether healthy living is part of your marriage. Here are 4 ways to prioritize a healthy lifestyle together. Read More

June 21, 2023
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Engagement Through The First Year - A Newlywed Guide - Part 2

Engagement Through The First Year: A Newlywed Guide – Part 2

By Relationship BasicsOne Comment

So you got married in the past year, and everything is going just great! You thought you knew everything about your spouse, but you find yourselves still learning new things about each other. You wouldn’t complain about a thing. Well, maybe one or two things. A handful at the very most. (Psst. It’s okay if things haven’t been perfect. In fact, it’s normal! We shed some light on some of the common conflicts that couples face in the first year of marriage in Part 1 of our Newlywed Guide, which you can read here.)

However, not every challenge comes in the form of a conflict needing to be resolved. Much of the journey that you’ve started on is an ongoing sense of growth and learning. You’re figuring out what makes each other (and yourselves) tick and learning what that means for your relationship. How do you manage your innate differences? Maintain balance? Stay connected and keep growing together? Let’s explore. Read More

June 14, 2023
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Engagement Through The First Year - A Newlywed Guide - Part 1

Engagement Through The First Year: A Newlywed Guide – Part 1

By Premarital, Relationship Basics4 Comments

The period of engagement through the first year or two of marriage is quite a ride. You and your spouse – and your relationship – go through a lot of changes and transitions. Leading up to the wedding, you might feel overwhelmed with questions and decisions, not just about the big day, but for your future together. Once you’re married, new challenges arise, new issues develop, and new conflicts erupt (or existing ones take on a new dimension). While you can never fully know what this period will be like for you and your new spouse, you can be prepared so that you’re not completely caught off guard when that honeymoon feeling starts to fade just a bit. Luckily, this newlywed guide has you covered. Read More

June 7, 2023
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10 Easy Ways to Amp Up Date Night Fun

10 Easy Ways to Amp Up Date Night Fun

By Connection, Quality Time6 Comments

So you’ve been intentional about making date nights a regular thing, and it’s paying off – that’s great! You’ve done such a good job of making it part of your routine that it actually requires less effort now… so what’s the problem? Well, maybe things have gotten a little too routine. You tend to fall back on the same plans. While there’s definitely nothing wrong with that, you might welcome some simple ways to inject some novelty and fun into your same old, same old. Luckily, we’ve got ten easy ways to amp up the level of fun on your next date. Read More

May 31, 2023
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6 Reasons to Have a Weekly Family Meeting

6 Reasons to Have a Weekly Family Meeting

By Family & Friends, Parenting5 Comments

Did you have family meetings when you were a kid? Were they a regular occurrence or only when there was a crisis or situation that warranted it? Depending on your experience, your feelings about them might range from fond memories to dread. But the truth is, family meetings don’t have to be something tied to negative connotations or memories for your own family.

Establishing a weekly family meeting can have a lot of great benefits for both individual members and the family as a whole. Here are 6 reasons to start one: Read More

May 24, 2023
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5 Things to Consider Before Venting About Your Spouse

5 Things to Consider Before Venting About Your Spouse

By Relationship Basics6 Comments

A coworker who’s getting on your nerves, a flaky friend who bailed on you again, a nightmarish experience at a local restaurant – everyone’s got things to vent about. Chances are, your spouse is one of the first people you turn to when you need to gripe.

But…what happens when your spouse is the thing you want to complain about? In some situations, you might share your grievances with them directly (which can actually be productive when done right). Other times, you may find yourself venting to someone else, like a close friend or a family member.

It seems common enough. We see it in TV and movies all the time, someone sharing their marital frustration with a captive audience of friends or coworkers who are eager to dish out advice, validation, and even judgment. But in real life, this habit might not be as harmless to your relationship as it seems. Here are 5 things to consider before venting about your spouse. Read More

May 17, 2023
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