No marriage is perfect, but if you are reading this, your marriage may have been on a downward trend for some time. Relationships can get rocky for many reasons. Work can be stressful, there’s a new baby on the way, or an aged parent needs your care. There are also issues like money, dwindling libido, and infidelity to complicate matters. All these situations add to the stress levels and can put your relationship in jeopardy.
One of the main challenges with strained relationships is that partners often start putting their needs over the relationship’s needs, making working through the issues a lot more complex and getting on the same page almost impossible.
Despite the challenges, it does not mean that the marriage is over. No matter how far you feel you have drifted apart, it is possible to reverse the tide and bring you closer again. It does take effort and commitment, but here are few tips to help you through this difficult time.
Take the First Step
If you feel like the marriage is falling apart, don’t wait for your partner to make the first move. Your partner may feel the same way, which means no one will take that critical first step. Get the ball rolling and make the first move now before things get even worse.
Work on Yourself First
There are two people in a marriage, and while it may be tempting to place all the blame on your partner, making yourself blameless won’t help you save your marriage. If you voice this sentiment to your other half, it is guaranteed to make things worse. Take a good, long, honest look at yourself. Can you honestly lay all of the blame at your partner’s feet? Considering how you may have contributed to the situation will lay some groundwork for you to work on and make improvements.
Learn to Listen More
Yes, your thoughts and feelings are important, but if you only focus on yourself, how can you hope to understand what your spouse is going through. Stop focusing on what you plan to say next and just listen to your spouse when they have something to say. When you are sure you fully understand their point of view, only then should you contribute to the conversation.
Monitor Your Tone
Your tone can contribute to the contention you are both experiencing. Name-calling and taking a condescending tone will be unproductive and will foster resentment. Keeping your tone in check is even more critical when you are angry, as this is when you are most likely to say something inflammatory. When you show restraint, it sends a clear message to your partner that you still care about them and the relationship.
Be Careful About Where You Get Advice
Many couples in distress will turn to friends and family for advice, but this is often a mistake. The people you are closest to could be biased in your favor and will give you well-meaning but flawed advice. Instead, consider getting help from a neutral third party like a therapist or marriage counselor.
Better Marriage is the best place to learn everything you need to know about saving your marriage. We will tell you how to keep your marriage alive and well. Read More about Save My Marriage At Better Marriage
