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Resilience

Couple hanging artwork in new house

3 Conversations to Help You Grow Together Through Change

By ResilienceOne Comment

Do you relish change – embracing new challenges and experiences with confidence and enthusiasm? Or do you prefer routine – feeling most comfortable with the familiar and knowing what comes next?

Whichever camp you fall into, change is inevitable. How we respond to it, of course, makes all the difference. Those who are averse to change might have practice in being intentional about how they manage transitions. Even for those that thrive on change, learning to take the necessary considerations can be a valuable lesson.

In marriage, changes and transitions bring about an added layer of complexity. Why? Because you’re not only managing two different thresholds for change, you’re also juggling the changes you go through as an individual, changes in your relationship, as well as how all of those factors affect your relationship. Phew! That sounds like a lot to manage, and it can feel that way, too. But one of the best things you can do throughout all of it is keep communicating. Here are three conversations to help you grow together and stay connected through change. Read More

Family Unpacking After Moving

5 Under-Appreciated Marriage Milestones

By Resilience5 Comments

Getting married. Having children. Buying a house. Celebrating an anniversary. Some milestones get all the hype.

Okay, these things are a pretty big deal – definitely worth celebrating. But chances are you’ve felt a sense of pride and accomplishment over other “smaller” achievements – and for good reason! Although they tend to be overshadowed by the more renowned examples, there are many under-appreciated milestones throughout marriage that have a big impact on your relationship and confidence as a couple. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites: Read More

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

man and woman hugging each other looking at skyline

Ease Each Other’s Worries (And Your Own)

By ResilienceOne Comment

Are you a worrier? How about your spouse? Truth be told, even the most carefree individuals find themselves worrying about something from time to time. Whether it’s little day-to-day troubles or big overwhelming concerns, worrying can consume us, if we’re not careful.

Much like stress, the way we manage our worries plays a significant part in the impact they have on our life and our relationship. In addition to learning self-coping strategies, you play an invaluable role in supporting each other when worries take hold. Let’s explore a few ways you can help ease your spouse’s worries, as well as your own. Read More

Couple hugging in field

The Myth of Being Lucky in Love

By Relationship Basics, Resilience9 Comments

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Have you heard this quote? Although it originated in the context of sports and athletic talent, the idea can be applied to relationships as well. Sure, we don’t usually think of couples as being talented in the art of marriage, per se. What’s more common is the idea that certain couples or individuals are lucky in love – that they’re so perfectly matched and have such good fortune, they don’t have to put any work into having a happy and satisfying relationship; it just comes naturally. They can just coast on their luck (in love), so to speak. What do you think? Do some couples have it this good? Do you feel like you and your partner fall into this category? Read More

Couple holding hands in love

Don’t Let a Bad Day Come Between You

By Connection, Resilience8 Comments

How’s your day going? Maybe everything’s going your way. The sun’s shining, you hit all green lights on your commute, got great feedback from your boss on a big project, and tonight is date night. Or maybe it’s been one of those days – can anything else go wrong? You overslept, spilled your entire mug of coffee, and snapped at your spouse, all before leaving the house – and it didn’t get any better from there.

We’ve all been there. A bad day – or even just a bad start to your day – can throw you off entirely, affecting not only your own mood and wellbeing, but your relationship with your spouse as well. One bad day here and there seems harmless, but if we’re not cognizant of the way we handle them, negative patterns can begin to take hold. So how can you prevent a bad day from coming between you? Here are five tips to consider. Read More

Couple holding hands, looking at each other walking down snowy street

What We Learn From Looking Back

By Resilience3 Comments

They say you shouldn’t live in the past, and that’s probably true. But learning from the past – that’s a different story. In fact, taking time to reflect on the year gone by – whether it’s a calendar year or another year of marriage – is a great way to learn more about yourself, your partner, and your relationship. So cozy up together and talk through some of these questions, maybe even grab a piece of paper to jot down some notes. Consider them from both an individual and couple perspective. We’ll provide some context for what we can learn and how they can help you gain valuable insight. Read More

couple cuddling on their bed

3 Ordinary Situations That Catch Your Relationship Off Guard

By Conflict, Resilience7 Comments

Some say that life is made up of all of the ordinary moments and ho-hum days, the run-of-the-mill, mundane stuff that comprises our day to day. The peaks and valleys tend to get a lot of attention, but the majority of time is spent in the middle. It makes sense then, that these are the times that most often test your relationship in small ways, and usually when you least expect it. Here are three ordinary situations that can catch your relationship off guard: Read More

woman hugging man and kissing him on the cheek in front of green cacti

You Can Be Both Grateful And…

By Resilience8 Comments

I should be grateful.

Have you ever found yourself thinking these words on the heels of experiencing some negative emotions? Maybe you’re angry with your spouse or going through a tough time in general. You attempt to change your perspective and pull yourself out of your funk by focusing on gratitude instead. It’s a noble cause. After all, we talk about the positive effects of gratitude on this very blog.

The issue arises when we use an obligation to be grateful as a way to tamp down or invalidate other legitimate feelings. Here’s the deal: gratitude is not cancelled out by other emotions. You can be both grateful – and other things, too. Read More

woman working on laptop smiling as she watches husband and baby asleep on bed

Staying Optimistic During a Tough Season

By Resilience2 Comments

What is a tough season? Well, that’s going to be different for everyone. It could be the years when your children are young and you aren’t feeling connected. It could be a period of time when you’re struggling financially or facing career uncertainty. It might be a phase in which roles feel out of balance or your family is going through a transition. While the circumstances are all unique, the common thread is that when you’re in the thick of it, it feels hard. It’s easy to get discouraged, and you might begin to question how you’re going to make it through. Here are some tips for staying optimistic during a tough season. Read More