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Ask These Questions When Things Are Feeling Off

Ask These Questions When Things Are Feeling Off

By Relationship Dynamics5 Comments

Sometimes you and your spouse can look at each other and have an entire conversation in just one glance. You’re in tune with each other and on the same page. Other times, this isn’t the case. It might feel like you’re a million miles apart – emotionally, mentally, and physically. You’re snippy and easily annoyed with each other. One misunderstanding leads to another. Neither of you feels like the other person knows where you’re coming from. You’re not necessarily mad at each other, but you can both admit that things feel… off.

Can you relate? Most couples go through periods like this from time to time – it’s normal! Next time things start feeling off between you and your spouse, take some time to ask these questions: Read More

July 23, 2025
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Do You Need a Marriage Debrief?

Do You Need a Marriage Debrief?

By ConflictNo Comments

Have you and your spouse ever been in a situation that you know for certain requires a discussion, but that’s simply not possible in the moment?

Even if you’re masters of resolving conflict, there are times when getting into it right then and there isn’t the best choice. These are the times that call for a marriage debrief. Read More

July 9, 2025
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3 Types of Expectations That Cause Conflict

3 Types of Expectations That Cause Conflict

By Conflict7 Comments

Whether we realize it or not, our expectations have a big impact on how we perceive and experience life. Was your day good or bad? Did that new restaurant hit the mark or fall short? Was your long awaited vacation everything you hoped it would be? It all depends on what type of expectations you had. And the same applies to your marriage.
Unmet expectations are the root cause of many marital disagreements, and they can come in several forms. Here are 3 types of expectations that can cause conflict between you and your spouse. Read More

June 18, 2025
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Breaking the Ice in Marriage

Breaking the Ice in Marriage

By Conflict, Connection3 Comments

You might think icebreakers are only for awkward team building exercises at work or networking events, and cringe at having to come up with a fun fact about yourself. You and your spouse already know each other, why do you need icebreakers?

Well, you know those times after a negative interaction or argument, when you walk away with things unresolved. Tension lingers between you. The vibe feels cold, strained, or just “off.” Maybe you’re not actually still mad at each other or fighting – there’s just a sense of uncomfortable distance or silence between you. You might both be wondering if the other person is still angry or struggle with being the first person to “give in.”

It’s tempting to just deal with this dynamic and let things get back to normal in time. You can’t stay cold toward each other forever, right? On the surface, it might seem like all is forgotten, and everything is fine. However, when things are never fully repaired between you, resentment can fester, ultimately eroding your emotional connection and damaging your relationship. The alternative, of course, is to be proactive about breaking that ice between you, so that you feel closer after a fight instead of the opposite. The problem is, it’s not always easy. It’s hard to know what to say, and sometimes our own pride and human tendencies can get in the way. That’s where these tips can help. Read More

June 11, 2025
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3 Leaves to Turn Over in Your Marriage

3 Leaves to Turn Over in Your Marriage

By Relationship Basics7 Comments

The trend of “new year, new me” seems to have come and gone. Why do we need to become a completely different person, after all? It’s a valid question. The idea doesn’t do much for your self-confidence, and honestly, can you really change the true essence of who you are? It’s unlikely.

What we really mean by “new me” is we want to improve our behaviors or actions in some way. In other words, we want to turn over a new leaf.
When it comes to your relationship with your spouse, this distinction holds true. Trying to change who your spouse is as a person is an exercise in futility. Instead you can both work on improving the way you act, behave, and respond within your marriage. And when you can get specific about those actions, they become much more executable – and lead to positive change in the dynamics of your relationship.

So you want to be a better spouse – okay, great! Well, where do you start? One way to think about it is to think of actions you want to do instead of something else. With that in mind, here are some specific “leaves” you can turn over to spark a positive shift in your marriage: Read More

January 8, 2025
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4 Truths About the Holidays as a Couple

4 Truths About the Holidays as a Couple

By Resilience3 Comments

The holidays mean different things to everyone. They can even hold different meaning to you from one year or one season to the next. Whether you start counting down the days six months out or you silently dread the festivities, the reality is that the holidays as a couple can be filled with joy – and be a difficult time of year, for a variety of reasons.

Gaining awareness of this duality – and the fact that it’s normal – can help. Here are four truths about experiencing the holidays as a couple. Read More

December 11, 2024
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Top 5 Conflict Issues

5 Most Common Conflict Issues

By Conflict2 Comments

When it comes to conflict in your marriage, it can sometimes feel like you’re the only couple who regularly deals with certain issues. It might seem like other couples have a much easier time resolving conflict or that it shouldn’t be so hard for you and your spouse. That can feel pretty isolating. But we’re going to let you in on a secret: most couples, even those that are skilled in conflict resolution, deal with a common set of conflict-related problems in their marriage.

That’s right. Prepare/Enrich data has pinpointed five of the most common conflict issues reported by a majority of couples. Here’s what they are: Read More

May 8, 2024
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a smiling man spinning his wife around

5 Keys to a Happy Marriage

By Relationship Basics5 Comments

Are happy couples just built different? Are they more compatible or agreeable and have a happier marriage as a result? Or are they doing something differently? It turns out it can be a combination of both. While this might seem like a cop-out answer, it’s actually good news. It means that while some couples might have a certain level of “meant to be” going for them, you have the power to improve your marriage if it’s not where you’d like it to be. It means that you’re not simply doomed to unhappiness if you and your spouse are facing some challenges or going through a tough season.

So what are these characteristics that set happy couples apart from unhappy couples? Here’s where we can actually provide some specific answers. Over the last 40+ years, Prepare/Enrich has gathered mountains of data on this very topic and found that these are the five keys to a happy marriage: Read More

May 1, 2024
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3 Reasons Your Fights Are Lasting Longer Than They Should

3 Reasons Your Fights Last Longer Than They Should

By Conflict7 Comments

We’ve all been there. You have fight with your spouse. Maybe the actual fight itself didn’t last longer than ten minutes, but the aftermath drags on for days. Days of cold interactions, stewing, and silence. How long can it go on? How long should it go on?

While a “cooling off” period after an argument can be necessary and helpful, letting disconnection linger on for days without working toward repair can be more damaging to your relationship than it’s worth. Do you feel like your fights last longer than they should? Let’s explore a few reasons why this might be true and how you can start to resolve things sooner. Read More

April 3, 2024
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5 Things to Consider Before Venting About Your Spouse

The Complexities of Forgiveness

By Conflict10 Comments

I forgive you. Is forgiveness as simple as saying those three words? Occasionally, it might be. Other times, it’s much more complicated.

The truth is, forgiveness is a crucial part of a lifelong marriage. You will inevitably experience and inflict hurts in your marriage. Without forgiveness, however, your relationship can become brittle and bogged down by the anger and resentment of those past wounds. Learning to embrace the various aspects of forgiveness opens you up to the possibility of peace, growth, and even a stronger marriage.

While the benefits of forgiveness seem straightforward enough, forgiveness itself can actually be quite complex. Let’s explore some of the reasons why. Read More

January 31, 2024
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