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Ann Malmberg

6 Types of Rituals to Maintain in Your Marriage

6 Types of Rituals to Maintain in Your Marriage

By Connection16 Comments

Is that quick goodbye kiss before you part ways in the morning really critical to the success of your marriage?

It might seem small and inconsequential, but in the context of relationship rituals, it can actually be quite meaningful. Much research has shown that rituals have an overwhelmingly positive effect on marriage. They create and nurture connection, shared meaning, and a sense of stability in your bond. They act as constant relational touch points that help you stay tethered to each other and your unique identity as a couple – in the midst of your busy lives.

Chances are, you already have many rituals in your marriage that formed naturally. While you might not have put much thought into creating them, a bit of intention and awareness doesn’t hurt when it comes to sustaining them over time. Here are 6 types of rituals to maintain (or create) in your marriage: Read More

May 10, 2023
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Getting Aligned When You Disagree

Getting Aligned When You Disagree

By Conflict2 Comments

Is there an issue that you and your spouse seem to perpetually disagree on?

If it’s a minor, superficial thing – how to correctly load the dishwasher or whether the toilet paper should go over or under – it’s probably no big deal. You might have a good-natured debate about it or tease each other about doing it wrong. At the end of the day, no one is losing sleep over it.

But what happens when you simply can’t reach agreement on a bigger issue, one that has a significant impact on your marriage and family? While you might try avoiding the topic, more than likely you’ll need to face it. And if you’ve never been able to see eye to eye on it, that can feel daunting, frustrating, and disheartening. You might find yourself wondering, “Where do we go from here? Will we always fight about this? Is it going to damage our relationship?”

Luckily, there are ways to break this stalemate and begin working toward a resolution together. The key is working toward alignment – not total agreement. Unsure how to start moving in that direction? Here are some tips. Read More

May 3, 2023
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25 Quick Marriage Pick-Me-Ups

25 Quick Marriage Pick-Me-Ups

By Relationship Basics5 Comments

It’s 2pm on a Wednesday. You’re dragging. Perhaps you’re feeling tired and low on energy, or your motivation and productivity have bottomed out. You need a pick-me-up, stat!

Whether it’s a fancy coffee from your favorite coffeeshop, a walk in nature, or a quick jam-out session in your car, the idea is the same: something small that lifts your mood and gives you a boost of energy.

Does it ever feel like your marriage could use something like this? Maybe you’ve both had a long week and you’re feeling a bit blah. Perhaps you were a bit short with each other as you left the house this morning or the kids have been sick so you’ve missed your last couple date nights. Whatever the reason, sometimes your marriage can use a little pick-me-up, too. Here are 25 quick ideas to try with your spouse. Read More

April 26, 2023
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4 Priorities for Busy Couples

4 Priorities for Busy Couples

By Connection, Quality Time2 Comments

Are you busy?

That might sound like a silly question. Nowadays, everyone is relatively busy. Sometimes it’s by choice; other times it’s just the season of life you’re in. Whether it’s with your job, family, hobbies, a side hustle, or simply staying on top of the myriad of tasks that make up daily life, there are countless things that vie for your time, attention, and energy. What effect does this have on your marriage?

The answer shouldn’t come as a surprise. When you’re extra busy, you’re spending less time together, making it easier for distance and complacency to take root. While your level of closeness will ebb and flow throughout the course of your marriage, you can prevent a bigger problem from developing by prioritizing these four things when things get extra busy: Read More

April 19, 2023
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6 Peacekeepings Tips for Annoying Habits

6 Peacekeeping Tips for Annoying Habits

By Conflict, Relationship Dynamics6 Comments

Do you always have to leave the cabinet doors open? You’re hogging all the covers again! Shhh, can you just watch the movie instead of asking a million questions? Oh my gosh, you are so indecisive!

If you and your spouse don’t have habits that annoy each other, are you even married? Just kidding… kind of. The truth is, while the habits can vary greatly, the irritation can get real. Sometimes we could all use some extra help in handling them in positive ways. Here are six peacekeeping tips for dealing with those annoying habits. Read More

April 12, 2023
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3 Mindset Shifts to Make Before Your Next Fight

3 Mindset Shifts to Make Before Your Next Fight

By Conflict8 Comments

It’s easy to have idyllic ideas about how you’ll handle conflict with your partner…when you’re not in the middle of it. Throw in a triggering comment and rising emotions, and suddenly all your best intentions seem to go right out the window. Before you know it, you’re stewing in anger and dwelling on the wrong things. Instead of working on repairing your connection, you’re doing the exact opposite and freezing each other out.

Suddenly trying to change the way you approach conflict with your spouse in the heat of the moment is a challenge for many reasons. That’s why it can be beneficial to reflect on the changes you’d like to make ahead of time – when you’re not in the midst of an argument. Does it mean you’ll be perfect in the moment? Probably not. But it can help you course-correct more quickly, setting the stage for more productive discussion and resolution.

Here are three mindset shifts to make before your next fight. Read More

April 5, 2023
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Marriage in a New City

Marriage in a New City

By Resilience4 Comments

Well, it’s official. You’re leaving your family, friends, and everything familiar for an adventure in a new city. You don’t know anyone there. You’re excited – and nervous, too. Can you relate?

Whether it’s a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, a temporary relocation for school, a new station in the military, or even just an itch to experience new things together, it’s not uncommon for couples to find themselves moving to an unfamiliar place where the only person they know is each other. On one hand, it can be a really unique opportunity to bond and strengthen their connection. However, it can have its challenges, too. Let’s explore some tips for navigating them. Read More

March 29, 2023
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Growing as Individuals, Together

Growing as Individuals, Together

By Relationship Dynamics, Resilience7 Comments

Is the person you married on your wedding day the same person you’re married to today? This might come as a surprise, but for most people the answer is “no” – whether they realize it or not.

The reality is, you are constantly growing and changing as a result of both intentional effort and the passage of time. That means the person you are today is probably not the same as who you were then. Of course, if you just got married a few months ago, you probably won’t see too much of a difference. After a bit more time, however, you’ll likely be able to look back and see how you’ve grown.

So what factors contribute to this growth? How do you it together? And what might that look like over the course of your marriage? Let’s dive in. Read More

March 22, 2023
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5 Ways Curiosity Improves Your Marriage

5 Ways Curiosity Improves Your Marriage

By Relationship Dynamics4 Comments

When you think about being curious, what comes to mind? Cats? Kids? George? All joking aside, curiosity is a trait that we don’t often put a lot of thought into, especially as adults. While some people are naturally more inquisitive than others, striving to be more curious is not as common as say, working on being more punctual or organized. That’s why you might be surprised to learn that curiosity can improve your marriage. Keep reading to find out how. Read More

March 15, 2023
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6 Essential Tips for Opposites

6 Essential Tips for Opposites

By Relationship Dynamics8 Comments

Are you and your spouse a case of “opposites attract”? Being married to someone whose personality is very different from yours, whether it’s in almost every way or even just a trait or two, has its challenges. It’s easy to get wrapped up in those differences, especially when they cause friction in your relationship. Learning to manage your personality differences in productive ways that draw you closer to each other instead of driving you apart is key. Here are six essential tips for opposites: Read More

March 8, 2023
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