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Learn These Things About Yourself to Become a Better Spouse

By Connection, Relationship Basics5 Comments

It’s often said that in order to love someone else, you need to love yourself first. You might think just involves having a healthy sense of self-worth and generally liking yourself as a person, and that is part of it for sure. But truly loving yourself goes deeper than this. It involves really understanding who you are – the good, the bad, and everything in between. And although it’s somewhat counterintuitive, looking inward can actually improve your marriage. It’s true! Here are three key areas in which learning more about yourself can make you a better spouse. Read More

December 20, 2023
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4 Ways Gratitude Helps You Be a Better Spouse

4 Ways Gratitude Helps You Be a Better Spouse

By Relationship Basics10 Comments

If there was one thing you could add to your life that was proven to boost your marriage satisfaction and overall happiness, would you do it? Count us in!

Well, the good news is this magic ingredient does actually exist – it’s gratitude. A wealth of research has been done on the topic showing that gratitude has a positive effect on social, emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing. It makes sense then, that this carries over into marriage and relationships as well. Want to know how gratitude can help you be a better spouse? Keep reading. Read More

November 15, 2023
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Social Media & Marriage: 5 Essential Tips

By Relationship Basics3 Comments

Social media has become so pervasive that it’s hard to even remember what it was like without it. These days, it almost takes more intention and effort to avoid it than to join in. Friends and family use it for events and parties; it’s where all the latest trends seem to pop up, and people even gain celebrity status just by sharing their lives on it.
It begs the question: what impact has it had on marriages and relationships? While there are probably a few positives, one could argue that the effects skew pretty negative. The good news, of course, is that you can avoid this outcome. Here are five essential tips to ensure that social media doesn’t harm your marriage. Read More

November 1, 2023
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4 Benefits of Understanding Your Triggers

4 Benefits of Understanding Your Triggers

By Relationship Basics6 Comments

You’ve probably experienced this before – having an emotional reaction disproportionate to the comment that spurred it, or a conversation that goes off the rails when emotions escalate out nowhere. Sure, some conflict is unavoidable and necessary, but constantly lashing out when you’re triggered can be pretty hard on your relationship. When you do the work to better understand your own hot spots and triggers, you’ll begin to reap the following benefits: Read More

October 4, 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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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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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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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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