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Ann Malmberg

Don't Say Yes to the Wedding Stress

Don’t Say Yes to the Wedding Stress

By Premarital2 Comments

Engagement is often touted as one of the most exciting times of your life. Sure, the actual act of getting engaged might live up to the hype. You’re giddy in love with your new fiancé, and you’ve just marked a momentous turning point in your relationship. You know lots of really special moments lie ahead – moments you’ll remember for the rest of your life. In the meantime, you’ve got a wedding to plan.

Little do you know that hiding on the other side of that emotional high is a potential mountain of wedding-related stress. If you’re not careful, it can ruin the whole experience – and strain your relationship, too. We’re not trying to scare you, but we do want to help you be prepared to face these common sources of stress as you plan your wedding. Let’s dive in. Read More

April 24, 2024
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Stop Waiting for these Things in Your Marriage

Stop Waiting for These Things in Your Marriage

By Resilience7 Comments

You wait for the bus. You wait for a package to be delivered. You wait for the toast to pop up. It makes sense to wait for some things, and in certain situations, waiting for the “right time” is important. But adopting this mindset across every aspect of your life can paralyze personal growth and prevent you from reaching and enjoying your full potential. If you want to make the most of your marriage, then stop waiting for these things: Read More

April 17, 2024
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Start Liking Your Spouse as Much as You Love Them

Start Liking Your Spouse As Much As You Love Them

By Relationship Dynamics4 Comments

You know you love your spouse… but have you have ever found yourself wondering if you actually like them? Maybe it was just a fleeting thought, when they did that thing that annoys you again. Or maybe it lasted longer, during a rough patch in your marriage where you couldn’t seem to get in sync. Or perhaps you’re confused by the question: Isn’t loving and liking your spouse one and the same? Surprisingly, it’s not.

It might seem contradictory, but loving and liking someone are actually two different emotions. Think of love as a reflection of how you feel internally about someone, while liking them is more of an appreciation for who they are. Ideally, these two emotions are aligned. But marriage can be complicated, and sometimes they’re not. You might feel like you’re constantly critical, annoyed, or negative with each other, or even dislike spending time together – even though you know you love each other dearly. So what gives? Are there things you can do to get back to liking your spouse as much as you love them? Keep reading. Read More

April 10, 2024
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3 Reasons Your Fights Are Lasting Longer Than They Should

3 Reasons Your Fights Last Longer Than They Should

By Conflict7 Comments

We’ve all been there. You have fight with your spouse. Maybe the actual fight itself didn’t last longer than ten minutes, but the aftermath drags on for days. Days of cold interactions, stewing, and silence. How long can it go on? How long should it go on?

While a “cooling off” period after an argument can be necessary and helpful, letting disconnection linger on for days without working toward repair can be more damaging to your relationship than it’s worth. Do you feel like your fights last longer than they should? Let’s explore a few reasons why this might be true and how you can start to resolve things sooner. Read More

April 3, 2024
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5 Ways to Clean Up Your Marriage This Spring

5 Ways to Clean Up Your Marriage This Spring

By Resilience2 Comments

Whether you participate in “spring cleaning” or prefer a monthly or year-round approach, there’s something to be said for the satisfaction that comes with clearing away the dust and clutter that builds up over time. While it’s not the most romantic way to visualize it, marriage can have it’s own grimy corners that might benefit from regular cleaning and maintenance. Here are five ways to clean up your marriage this spring. Read More

March 27, 2024
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Man and Woman Having Conversation in the Kitchen

The Best Time to Work on Your Relationship

By Relationship Basics, Resilience5 Comments

Ahh, marriage. What a dream! You and your spouse both feel that your relationship is stronger than ever. Time to sit back, put your feet up, and coast, right? Well, not quite.

Don’t get us wrong. You deserve to relish and enjoy every bit of the joy a happy marriage can bring. However, we don’t recommend adopting the mindset that there’s no room for improvement. In fact, we’d make the argument that the best time to work on your relationship is when things are going great.

If that seems counterintuitive, here are 5 reasons why it makes perfect sense. Read More

March 20, 2024
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Couple reading a book together on the couch

10 Ways to Refresh Your Evening Routine

By Quality Time9 Comments

Bring the kids to their extracurricular activities, pick up the grocery order, rush home, get dinner going, help the kids with homework, scramble through baths and bedtime, clean up the kitchen – phew!

If your evenings are anything like this, it’s understandable if all you want to do is sit down and zone out when you finally get the chance. Whether you both work in or out of the home, have children, pets, or just a busy life in general, those evening hours are often time to relax and unwind before hitting the sack. If you’re sick of settling in for the same old streaming session, here are ten ways to refresh your evening routine. Read More

March 13, 2024
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a couple sitting on a mountain top overlooking a mountain range, cropped to show only chest up

Make These Tweaks to Reach Your Marriage Goals

By Resilience4 Comments

So you and your spouse set about to make some positive changes in your marriage. You’re both feeling motivated, inspired, and capable of reaching these goals together – that’s great! Fast forward a couple months down the road. Are you still chugging along optimistically?

It’s okay if the answer is no. You’re not alone if that initial energy has worn off, your progress has faltered, or you’ve given up altogether. Truth be told, this is common when working towards anything – whether it’s completing a DIY home project or achieving your marriage goals. When you encounter some kind of obstacle or setback, it’s easy to get discouraged, lose motivation, or resign yourself to the idea that things can’t change – which often leads to giving up.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way! We’ve got some simple tweaks you can make to help you keep going and achieve the positive changes you’re striving for in your marriage. Read More

March 6, 2024
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Couple talking on a scenic overlook

5 Reasons You Don’t Feel Like a Team

By Relationship Basics, Relationship Dynamics2 Comments

Do you and your spouse feel like a team? Or does it seem like something is getting in the way of that lately? It’s not unusual to go through periods where things are just out of sync between you. It can feel like you’re constantly at odds or working against each other, even if it’s not intentional. What’s going wrong? The reality is, sometimes you can fall into habits that shift the dynamic of your relationship in ways that gradually dissolve a team mentality. Here are five reasons you might not be feeling like a team and some tips for renewing that bond: Read More

February 28, 2024
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The Hidden Complexities of Household Tasks

By Relationship Dynamics6 Comments

Figuring out who does what around the house can sometimes seem like the more practical, straightforward part of a marriage. You can write down a list of tasks, divide them up, and check them off when you’re done. Simple as that! Or is it?

For some couples, a harmonious division of household responsibilities comes naturally with few issues. For others, it can be an ongoing source of conflict and resentment. For many, it falls somewhere in between. It turns out that several factors make running a household more complicated than it seems. Let’s dive into some of them. Read More

November 29, 2023
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