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Relationship Dynamics

Growing as Individuals, Together

Growing as Individuals, Together

By Relationship Dynamics, Resilience7 Comments

Is the person you married on your wedding day the same person you’re married to today? This might come as a surprise, but for most people the answer is “no” – whether they realize it or not.

The reality is, you are constantly growing and changing as a result of both intentional effort and the passage of time. That means the person you are today is probably not the same as who you were then. Of course, if you just got married a few months ago, you probably won’t see too much of a difference. After a bit more time, however, you’ll likely be able to look back and see how you’ve grown.

So what factors contribute to this growth? How do you it together? And what might that look like over the course of your marriage? Let’s dive in. Read More

March 22, 2023
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5 Ways Curiosity Improves Your Marriage

5 Ways Curiosity Improves Your Marriage

By Relationship Dynamics4 Comments

When you think about being curious, what comes to mind? Cats? Kids? George? All joking aside, curiosity is a trait that we don’t often put a lot of thought into, especially as adults. While some people are naturally more inquisitive than others, striving to be more curious is not as common as say, working on being more punctual or organized. That’s why you might be surprised to learn that curiosity can improve your marriage. Keep reading to find out how. Read More

March 15, 2023
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6 Essential Tips for Opposites

6 Essential Tips for Opposites

By Relationship Dynamics8 Comments

Are you and your spouse a case of “opposites attract”? Being married to someone whose personality is very different from yours, whether it’s in almost every way or even just a trait or two, has its challenges. It’s easy to get wrapped up in those differences, especially when they cause friction in your relationship. Learning to manage your personality differences in productive ways that draw you closer to each other instead of driving you apart is key. Here are six essential tips for opposites: Read More

March 8, 2023
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couple nose to nose in brown grass field

Leaning Into the Good Tension

By Relationship Dynamics4 Comments

“They really balance each other out.”

Do you know any couples like this? Do you feel like this describes you and your spouse? Does it simply mean that you’re opposites? While that might be part of the equation, there is more to it. After all, being vastly different could easily result in endless fighting, never seeing eye to eye on things both big and small. However, this often is not the case. Even if you consider yourselves opposites in many ways, something else is happening that actually makes your relationship stronger and more dynamic. Read More

November 30, 2022
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Couple Walking in Shallow Water and Smiling expectations

The Lowdown on Expectations

By Relationship Dynamics3 Comments

What’s something you control that can completely change your perspective, even when you don’t realize it exists? This might sound like some sort of brainteaser riddle, but it’s actually a key to feeling happier and more satisfied in your relationship. The answer? Well, if you guessed expectations, then you’re right!

Yep, our very own expectations have the power to make us feel disappointed or pleasantly surprised, as if we’re failing or succeeding, unfulfilled or content. If you’re curious about why, and how this insight affects your marriage, keep reading. Read More

October 19, 2022
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Couple holding hands in love

3 Hurdles to Asking for Help (& How to Reframe Them)

By Relationship Dynamics4 Comments

An extra set of hands around the house. Physical assistance during recovery from an illness or injury. Emotional support when feeling overwhelmed or dealing with grief. Financial assistance during tough times. Everyone needs help now and then, but it’s not always easy to ask for it. Do you struggle with this? Within your marriage, do you and your spouse ask each other for help?

If this is an area you could use some help with (no pun intended), then you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading as we explore some of the reasons it can be difficult asking each other for help – and how to reframe those hurdles to benefit your relationship and help you grow. Read More

October 12, 2022
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Man and Woman Sitting on Green Sofa discussing money

3 Conversations to Have When You Clash Over Money

By Conflict, Relationship Dynamics2 Comments

Congrats! You just got a huge bonus at work. You’re already envisioning how you’ll spend it – replacing that ratty old couch with new furniture for the family room. You’ve been working hard and waiting for a little windfall to spend on something nice that you can both enjoy. You can hardly wait to tell your spouse.

What?! Your spouse just told you they got a big bonus at work – that’s great! But they’re already planning on spending it all – which you can’t really fathom. Logically, you know you could spend the money and be fine financially. But deep down, you feel like you just have to sock at least some of it away.

If you can relate to this situation, then you probably know what it’s like to have conflict with your spouse over money. You probably also know there’s no easy solution. That’s because money issues run deeper than being a spender or a saver. So how do you start getting to root of your differences? Here are three conversations to have when you clash over money. Read More

September 28, 2022
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Positive multiethnic couple laughing at funny moment in book

4 Times Personality Differences Work For You

By Relationship Dynamics8 Comments

Do you and your partner have very different personalities? Even if you’re not complete opposites, you probably differ in at least a few ways. How do you manage your differences? One of the first steps is learning to accept them instead of trying to change each other. Once you’re able to do that, you can really begin to appreciate your differences. You might take note of how your spouse is able to chat it up with anyone, or maybe you admire how they’re not afraid of change. Once you’re in the mindset of appreciating your differences, you can go a step farther – and learn how to leverage your differences in positive ways. Here are four times personality differences work for you. Read More

May 4, 2022
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Photo of a Man Carrying His Partner

5 Areas to Strive for Balance

By Relationship Dynamics, Resilience3 Comments

When you hear the word “balance”, what do you picture? Is it a gymnast, perched atop a balance beam, arms outstretched in preparation for the big dismount? Is it a set of scales, one side sitting perfectly level with the other? Or maybe it’s something else entirely, which is fitting considering a sense of balance is a highly personal thing, unique to each person – and couple.

Sometimes, you just know when things are out of whack. Other times, it’s harder to pin down. Why is that? Well, we don’t just need balance in one area of our lives, but several areas that all intermingle and affect each other. If you and your spouse are feeling out of balance lately, here are five areas to consider. Read More

April 27, 2022
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woman giving man piggyback ride laughing

Marriage Successes in Disguise

By Relationship Dynamics17 Comments

Do you ever feel like you’re failing in various aspects of marriage? If so, you’re not alone. Marriage is hard. Sure, there are “best practices,” but there’s no instruction manual that lays it out step by step. So it can feel like you’re floundering – making it up as you go and unsure whether you’re getting anywhere. Are we doing this right?

We’ve got some good news for you. Sometimes things that feel like struggles or failures are actually successes in disguise. Curious about some examples? Read on. Read More

March 23, 2022
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