Skip to main content
Category

Relationship Basics

5 Ways You Fight For Your Marriage

5 Ways You Fight for Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics2 Comments

A heroic duel to defend your true love… An epic battle to prove you’re meant to be together, against all odds… These scenarios might sound like the ultimate way to fight for each other, but we typically don’t see too many sword fights in honor of love these days. So is it even necessary to fight for each other on any given day? We have to admit, it does sound a bit dramatic. But the truth is, fighting for your marriage means caring enough – and doing what it takes – to make it last a lifetime. And with that in mind, there are ways to fight for your marriage every day – they just don’t look how you’d expect. Here are a few: Read More

February 25, 2026
Love0
4 Areas to Take Initiative in Your Marriage

4 Areas to Take Initiative in Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics2 Comments

When you see a problem, do you take the initiative to fix it?

It’s typically pretty easy to point out issues: an ineffective process at work, a constantly messy room in your house, or a higher than usual electric bill. It’s more difficult to actually take action to solve (or improve) the situation at hand. This also applies to your marriage.

Are there aspects of your relationship you know could be better? Instead of waiting for your spouse to take the lead or hoping things magically improve on their own, it’s time to be proactive. Here are areas to take initiative in your marriage this year. Read More

January 14, 2026
Love0
4 Reasons to Set Goals Together

4 Reasons to Set Goals Together

By Relationship Basics, Resilience2 Comments

Do you set personal goals at the start of a new year? You might have your own unique motivations, but there’s a reason it’s a common time for people start a journey towards some kind of self-improvement. January is both a literal and metaphorical fresh start, making it a perfect time to set off with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

Setting goals offers many universal benefits, and when you do it with your spouse – even more positive effects are unlocked. Curious what they are? Keep reading. Read More

January 7, 2026
Love0
Spread Holiday Cheer in Your Marriage

Spread Holiday Cheer in Your Marriage (All Year Long)

By Relationship BasicsOne Comment

Are you someone who loves the holidays? Do you have an extra spring in your step as you hum along to your favorite Christmas music? If you consider yourself the epitome of holiday cheer, do you find that your attitude carries over into your marriage as well?

For many, there’s something about the season that makes everything have more sparkle. The very fact that it’s temporary might be part of what makes it so special. In the blink of an eye, you’re packing away the decorations and getting back to the grind. But what if you carried that positivity and goodwill into your marriage all year long? Here are 4 examples to consider. Read More

December 3, 2025
Love0
How Gratitude Transforms Your Marriage

How Gratitude Transforms Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

You probably say “thank you” many times each day, but gratitude is about more than simply uttering these two words out of habit. It’s about feeling that sense of gratefulness deep within your heart, internalizing it in a way that shapes your entire mindset and perspective – and your marriage, as well. The positive effects of gratitude have the power to send positive ripples throughout your relationship – here’s how: Read More

November 25, 2025
Love0
5 Patterns to Establish in Your Marriage

4 Patterns to Establish in Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics17 Comments

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in negative patterns in your marriage? Maybe it’s a cycle of criticism and defensiveness, or resentment that builds until a blowout argument. You might feel discouraged – how did you even get into the pattern in the first place? All it takes is a couple of instances to set a precedent. A pattern forms, and it’s hard to break out of.

What can you do to avoid this? One way is to be more intentional about establishing positive patterns instead. Here are four examples: Read More

October 29, 2025
Love0
A Marriage Meeting That Works

A Marriage Meeting That Works

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

Does it ever feel like you and your spouse are operating from different playbooks? Do you feel like you need to call a time-out so you can get on the same page? When you’re stressed out about the budget, but your spouse is focused solely on meal planning for the week, how do you move forward productively as a team?

We’ve long touted the benefits of a regular relationship check-in. After all, a strong marriage is the foundation and heart of your family. But we also recognize that a lot more goes into keeping a household running smoothly, and when you’re not aligned on those other things, it affects your relationship, too. That’s where a regular marriage meeting comes in. While a typical relationship check-in is all about – you guessed it – your relationship, a marriage meeting can be a more all-encompassing chance to get aligned on the other things that make up your daily life together. Here are some tips to creating a marriage meeting that works. Read More

October 1, 2025
Love0
3 Times to Ask for a Do Over

3 Times to Ask for a Do-Over

By Relationship BasicsOne Comment

Have you ever had an interaction with your spouse that unexpectedly turned into a fight, all because of a communication mistake? You might know it’s happening even as the words are leaving your mouth. You can feel your spouse’s vibe change in response. You wish you could take it back and start over, but it’s too late. What’s done is done. Or is it?

While life is full of situations in which you only get one shot, marriage offers up many opportunities when a second chance can be just what you need to turn an otherwise negative outcome into a positive. When you know you’ve just made a poor choice in communicating with your spouse, requesting a do-over in the moment is an impactful way to quickly course-correct the interaction. Here are 3 times to ask for one: Read More

September 24, 2025
Love0
5 Areas Practice Pays Off in Marriage

5 Areas Practice Pays Off in Marriage

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

What things could you use some practice in? Maybe you’re picking up a new hobby or want to develop a particular skill for your job. Perhaps you’re giving a speech at your best friend’s wedding or you’re trying to perfect that special family recipe before the next big gathering. Whatever the case, practice typically leads to some degree of improvement, whether it’s immediate or more incremental.

What about in your marriage? “Practice” might seem odd in this context. Maybe you think about “working” on or prioritizing your marriage, but where does practice come in? Well, there are actually several areas in which practice pays off. Let’s dive into some. Read More

July 16, 2025
Love0
5 Tips for Setting the Right Tone

5 Tips for Setting the Right Tone

By Relationship Basics5 Comments

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.

Chances are, you’ve been on the receiving end of a snarky tone. You’ve probably even been the one dishing it out on occasion. The words themselves can be completely innocuous, but the tone with which they’re delivered can be the difference between a friendly, affectionate exchange and an escalating argument. We might think that our actual words should be most important, but the truth is, tone matters.

When it comes to communicating with your spouse, there are multiple ingredients that need to come together in the right way. If your words are the main protein, then things like tone and body language are the spices and seasonings you add that can make or break the dish. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when it comes to setting the tone: Read More

May 7, 2025
Love0
Close Menu