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Relationship Basics

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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Your Go-To Date Night Guide

Your Go-To Date Night Guide

By Quality Time, Relationship BasicsNo Comments

How would you describe your date style? Is it more “tried and true” or “try something new?” Or maybe it’s more along the lines of “whatever we can squeeze in.” The truth is, there’s not really just one correct way to do date night – the most important part is that you’re doing it!

That being said, sometimes your usual thing just isn’t what you want or need. Other times you might find yourselves in situations or seasons of life that require a different kind of date. Then there’s the matter of actually making date night happen amidst the realities of your busy day-to-day. Oh, not to mention how to keep the conversation flowing and meaningful!

No need to stress. We’ve got your back with this go-to guide for all things date night. Read More

February 15, 2023
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4 Underrated Ways to Prioritize Your Marriage

4 Underrated Ways to Prioritize Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics3 Comments

When you think of prioritizing your marriage, what comes to mind? Raise your hand if date nights and quality time is your gut response. Don’t get us wrong; it’s a great answer. Continuing to date each other and devoting intentional time to connect is crucial to nurturing intimacy and friendship. However, this isn’t the only way. There are other – often underrated – ways to prioritize your marriage every day. Read More

February 1, 2023
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young couple decluttering sitting on floor near cardboard boxes

Decluttering Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics4 Comments

A few knick-knacks here, some dirty dishes there, kids’ toys everywhere. Does clutter drive you nuts or does it not really bother you? Research has actually found that excessive clutter can have a negative effect on your ability to focus and process information, as well as on your self-esteem and mood.

Now consider this: Can your marriage have clutter? And if so, what effect might it have on your relationship?
Decluttering your marriage might not be as straightforward as putting away that stack of laundry or reorganizing the kitchen cabinets, but it can be just as beneficial. Let’s explore. Read More

January 18, 2023
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4 Essential Marriage Tips to Guide Your Year

4 Essential Marriage Tips to Guide Your Year

By Relationship Basics6 Comments

Do you and your spouse make resolutions or set goals as a couple? Do you use January 1st as the starting line for improving your marriage? Or is it just another day on the calendar? The truth is, there’s no correct answer. Regardless of your feelings about making New Year’s resolutions, we’re sharing some essential tips to help guide your mindset about marriage this year. Read More

January 11, 2023
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Habit Stacking Your Way to a Stronger Marriage

Stacking Your Way to a Stronger Marriage

By Relationship Basics8 Comments

When the new year rolls around, you probably hear a lot about resolutions and goals – whether you’re setting them or not. The thing about both of them is they tend to be a bit abstract. While it’s great to be ambitious, resolutions and goals that are too broad, vague, or unrealistic can actually have the opposite effect that you intended. You end up feeling unmotivated – like you’ve failed before you’ve even begun. At that point, why even try at all?

Of course, the key to avoiding this letdown is to a) adjust your goals and resolutions to be reasonable and specific, and b) break them down into smaller, achievable chunks. These smaller chunks might come in the form of “micro” goals leading up to a bigger achievement. Or you might think of them in terms of developing new habits that support your resolution or goal. Read More

January 4, 2023
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Our Top 5 Blog Posts of 2022

Our Top 5 Blog Posts of 2022

By Connection, Relationship Basics4 Comments

As the year wraps up, it’s always interesting to look back on the things that greatly influenced or played a role in your life over the past twelve months. Were you surprised by how many times you streamed that one song? Ready to cut down on screen time next year after seeing your device statistics quantified? Feeling accomplished over how many days you worked out?

When it came to our blog posts, you were all about ditching bad relationship habits while hanging onto the good, taking time to connect and reflect, and knowing you’re not alone when it comes to newlywed conflict. Here are the top five posts, all rounded up in one place. Let’s count them down. Read More

December 28, 2022
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4 Ways to Give Back (while growing closer)

Cultivating a Mindset of Gratitude

By Relationship Basics, Resilience4 Comments

Ah, gratitude. It’s a common word these days, especially at this time of year – and for good reason. Gratitude is associated with some pretty powerful effects, such as lower stress, higher resilience, and greater happiness overall. Research has found that these benefits extend to marriage as well, fostering positive feelings and stronger connection between spouses. Who wouldn’t want that?

Of course, actually feeling gratitude within you is a very important part of the equation, as opposed to just going through the motions of expressing it. But let’s be real – sometimes you’re just not feeling it. Have you experienced this disconnect? If so, we’ve got some tips to help you cultivate a mindset of gratitude in your daily life and marriage. Read More

November 16, 2022
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