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marriage

A happy couple sitting together on the floor

Start Feeling Happier in Your Marriage- Part 1

By Connection7 Comments

Do you feel happy and satisfied in your marriage? This might seem like a loaded question. On one hand, “yes” seems like the correct answer, but in reality, things can be a bit more complicated. Perhaps you don’t feel happy at the moment, or you’re going through a tough season. Maybe you’re usually pretty content, but have definitely experienced your ups and downs together.

The truth is, there are many dynamic factors that affect how satisfied you both feel with your relationship. The good news is that you and your spouse have control over almost of all of them – you’re not just passive passengers along for the ride. Need some examples? Here are five ways to start feeling happier in your marriage. Read More

January 17, 2024
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Couple Sitting on Deck Chairs and Kissing

Closing the Gap Between Expectations and Reality

By Relationship Basics8 Comments

Some say the key to avoiding disappointment is to keep your expectations low. Some even go so far as to say just don’t have any expectations at all. In some cases, this might work. Maybe your spirits have been crushed by your favorite sports team too many times to count, and you can’t simply invest any more emotional energy into getting your hopes up. Or perhaps you avoid reading any reviews of a movie you’ve wanted to see so that your own reaction isn’t swayed by your expectations.

When it comes to relationships, however, having expectations can be healthy. They help to set a standard for what is or isn’t acceptable and provide a baseline for holding yourself and each other accountable. They have the potential to push us to be a better partner and to grow as a couple.

You could say there’s a sweet spot for expectations in marriage, a balance between aspirational and attainable. Unfortunately, getting into this “zone” doesn’t always happen naturally. Sometimes it can seem like you’re both doing everything you should be, but there’s still a gap between expectations and reality. How can you bridge this gap? Let’s explore. Read More

January 10, 2024
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Couple talking on the shore, woman's hand on man's back

5 Daily Moments That Make or Break Your Connection

By Connection16 Comments

When it comes to feeling connected to your partner, what are the main factors that play into that? You might think of things like whether or not you’ve recently had a fight or how much quality time you’ve gotten to spend together lately. Those things certainly contribute to it. But there are also several small moments throughout every day where you have a choice: you can capitalize on the opportunity to connect – or you can let the moment pass. While your relationship certainly isn’t doomed if you occasionally choose the latter, choosing one over the other consistently is bound to have a corresponding, cumulative effect on your marriage. Here are five daily moments that can make or break your connection over time: Read More

January 3, 2024
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Happy Couple Hugging

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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Couple warming hands by the fire in front of cabin surrounded by snow

4 Ways to Prioritize Your Marriage During the Holidays

By Connection, Family & Friends, Quality Time3 Comments

During this festive time of year, there’s a lot of emphasis on spending time with others – extended family, friends, neighbors, etc. It might feel strange to put your spouse first – but it shouldn’t! Your marriage deserves to be prioritized year-round. Wondering how you can keep it top-of-mind with so much going on? We’ve got some tips to share. Read More

December 13, 2023
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Couple with arms around each other on skateboard

3 Surprising Signs Of A Strong Bond

By ConnectionOne Comment
Do you feel like you and your spouse have a strong bond? Hopefully the answer is yes. If so, what exactly makes you feel that way? Interestingly, that might be harder to pinpoint than you’d think.

Maybe you’re great communicators and skilled at dealing with conflict. It’s true that those things often go hand in hand with feeling strongly connected, and they definitely should not be minimized. But these are not the only signs! Sometimes it’s a bunch of seemingly small, subtle things that contribute to an overall feeling of closeness and connection. Often those things can be just as important, even if they don’t seem as “serious” in terms of healthy relationship habits. Let’s discuss a few of these surprising, and sometimes quirky, signs of a strong bond. Read More

December 6, 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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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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6 Types of Rituals to Maintain in Your Marriage

6 Types of Rituals to Maintain in Your Marriage

By Connection16 Comments

Is that quick goodbye kiss before you part ways in the morning really critical to the success of your marriage?

It might seem small and inconsequential, but in the context of relationship rituals, it can actually be quite meaningful. Much research has shown that rituals have an overwhelmingly positive effect on marriage. They create and nurture connection, shared meaning, and a sense of stability in your bond. They act as constant relational touch points that help you stay tethered to each other and your unique identity as a couple – in the midst of your busy lives.

Chances are, you already have many rituals in your marriage that formed naturally. While you might not have put much thought into creating them, a bit of intention and awareness doesn’t hurt when it comes to sustaining them over time. Here are 6 types of rituals to maintain (or create) in your marriage: Read More

May 10, 2023
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