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Ann Malmberg

The Sneaky Third Wheel

The Sneaky Third Wheel

By Connection6 Comments

Many of us have a third wheel in our marriage. It sneakily steals time and attention normally given to each other. It interrupts special and intimate moments. It exacerbates existing trust issues. Sometimes, you might even spend more time gazing at it than you do your spouse. Instead of trying to distance ourselves from it, we keep it by our side at all times.

No, it’s not a nosy friend or an overbearing family member causing these issues. It’s your phone.

Let’s be honest – even if you feel like you’ve got a good handle on how much you’re on your phone, it’s easy to fall into bad habits. Let’s dive into what to be aware of and how you can ensure your phones aren’t coming between you and your spouse. Read More

October 30, 2024
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5 Tips for Finding a Shared Hobby

5 Tips for Finding a Shared Hobby

By Connection, Quality Time2 Comments

Another busy week is coming to an end. You and your spouse are excited to have a wide-open weekend in front of you. Sure, there are the usual chores to complete, and of course you’re planning on some time to just hang out and relax. This all sounds great, but you can’t help but feel like something is missing… like a shared hobby.

Pursuing hobbies and pastimes that bring you joy helps nurture a healthy sense of independence and fulfillment, which benefits your individual wellbeing. Likewise, sharing a hobby with your partner can enrich the time you spend together, ultimately strengthening your bond. However, finding a shared hobby isn’t always easy, for various reasons. Maybe you have very different preferences and interests, or you’re coming out of a season of life when you didn’t have much free time. Whatever the case, if you’re looking for some practical tips to discover a hobby you can share with your spouse, you’ve come to the right place. Read More

October 23, 2024
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5 Real Tips for Tired Couples

5 Real Tips for Tired Couples

By Resilience5 Comments

“I’m so tired.”

It can seem like being tired is just part of being an adult. You’ve got things to do, places to be, and only so much time for sleep. Sometimes your season of life dictates whether you’re getting enough of sleep, and it’s hard to change. Other times, you have more control over the situation.

While being tired is a normal part of life for many, the reality is that when you’re both exhausted, neither of you are at your best. You might be irritable, moody, overly sensitive, critical, or defensive. Your communication skills suffer, and you simply don’t have much left in the tank for each other. It goes without saying that this can be detrimental to your marriage over time. Want to avoid damage to your relationship? Grab a cup of coffee and check out these realistic tips. Read More

October 16, 2024
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10 Simple Ways to Choose Connection

10 Simple Ways to Choose Connection

By Connection5 Comments

Every day you make choices. Some are pretty inconsequential – should I wear the blue shirt or black shirt? Some can change the trajectory of your whole day – should I work from home or go into the office? And some have the potential to affect your relationship – for better, worse, or somewhere in between.

When it comes down to it, wouldn’t you rather opt for the better?

Throughout your day, you have several opportunities to choose a path of more connection with your spouse – or go down the road of the status quo. While the status quo isn’t necessarily a bad thing, your marriage deserves more. It doesn’t have to be grand gestures or even huge changes, just putting forth a bit more intention throughout your day. Wondering what we mean?

Here are ten simple ways to choose connection: Read More

October 9, 2024
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Your Unique Language of Love

Your Unique Language of Love

By Connection, Relationship Dynamics6 Comments

Your alarm goes off, you silence it quickly so it doesn’t wake your spouse, and creep out of bed. You close the door quietly and head downstairs to get the coffee going. You set out their favorite mug alongside yours, then go jump in the shower. As you open the bathroom door, the aroma of the breakfast your spouse just cooked wafts in. You head to the kitchen and they greet you with a smile and ask how you slept. They hand you a steaming cup of coffee with just the right amount of cream and sugar.

This might seem like just a typical morning, but you’re actually saying “I love you” in many different ways – even though neither of you have spoken the words aloud. How many examples can you pick out? Read More

October 2, 2024
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Investing in the Marriages Around You

Investing in the Marriages Around You

By Family & Friends, ResilienceOne Comment

They say “no man is an island,” and no marriage is either. Your marriage is affected by everything around you, which includes the attitudes and values placed on marriage by those in your circle and the communities you’re part of.

Think about it. If you surround yourself with friends who are constantly devaluing their spouse, or you never had an example of a healthy marriage growing up, there’s a good chance your attitudes toward your spouse and marriage will be influenced. If your employer or your church doesn’t offer much support for marriage and family, that’s another message that you might begin to internalize.

Of course, the opposite is true as well. Surrounding yourself with people who support and champion marriage can have a positive effect on your own. Plus, it’s reciprocal, which means when you invest in their marriages, you’re perpetuating this cycle.

Okay, so how do you actually invest in others’ marriages?

When you invest in your own marriage, you prioritize your relationship and put in the care and effort to make it last a lifetime. While you can’t necessarily strengthen other couples’ marriages for them, you can help and empower them to do it on their own. Here are some examples and opportunities to consider: Read More

September 25, 2024
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4 Times To Shift Your Perspective

4 Times to Shift Your Perspective

By Resilience3 Comments

Have you ever looked at one of those optical illusion images that asks whether you see a nature scene or an animal, a vase or two faces? Often you’ll lock onto one of the visuals immediately, but then it becomes almost impossible to see the alternative. You have to make a conscious effort to completely shift your perspective. Then suddenly, there it is! You see things in a whole new way.

Have you ever experienced this in your marriage? Here are 4 times it’s helpful to shift your perspective. Read More

September 18, 2024
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Relationship Basics - Part 2

Relationship Basics – Part 2

By Relationship Basics2 Comments

We’re back with Part 2 of our Relationship Basics series. As we mentioned in Part 1, sometimes there’s no substitute for getting back to basics. It’s not uncommon to fall into bad habits over time. Reviewing the fundamentals and continuously working on these foundational relationship skills will help ensure your marriage stays strong. Let’s dive back in! Read More

September 4, 2024
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Relationship Basics Part 1

Relationship Basics – Part 1

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

Kids are heading back to school, building a foundation of the skills and knowledge that will carry them through life. Often at the start of the year and at certain points throughout, teachers will dedicate time to reviewing what’s already been covered. The purpose, of course, is to make sure students have the fundamentals down pat or that they’re retaining information before moving on to something new. When it comes to your marriage, do you need a review?

Sometimes there is no substitute for getting back to basics – those fundamental things that make all the difference in the quality of your relationship. As we go about our daily lives, we sometimes lose sight of these things and fall into bad habits. Over time, you start to feel the effect – things are just off between you or it feels like you’re in a rut. Not to worry! We’ve rounded up all the basics in one place, organized from A-Z. Read More

August 28, 2024
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