Lisa O
Making a marriage work requires lots of effort, dedication, love, respect, and honor. But there are plenty of things we can do to boost our chances of having a good married life. Here are the best tips for a happier marriage!
Stick to your promises
Whether it’s about taking out the trash, grabbing the dry cleaning, or being back home by 7:00 p.m., make sure you do what you said you would! Keeping your promises and sticking to your commitments is super important. It builds up the trust your partner has in you. When you don’t follow through—it sends a message that what matters to them doesn’t matter much to you, even if that’s not what you intend.
Forget about the past
Bringing up past mistakes only digs up old hurts. It’s better to let bygones be bygones. We understand it’s tough to leave the past behind—it can take a lot out of you. But moving forward and letting go of past hurts is very crucial. It takes effort, time, patience, and self-respect. But it’s one of the most important decisions you can make for yourself, your partner, and your marriage.
Let your partner finish talking
When you don’t see eye to eye with your spouse, you don’t have to jump in with your thoughts right away. It can make them feel like their voice isn’t being heard. This kind of reaction can turn a small disagreement into a big hard-to-fix problem. It can also stop your partner from opening up about how they feel. Do this instead—take a moment to breathe, listen carefully, and let them finish speaking.
Be thankful for your spouse
Imagine having a special book just for moments when your spouse does things that make you happy. Like when they laugh, and it makes you smile, or when they’re there for you during tough times. By noticing and writing down these good things, you can make both of you feel better. And remember to tell your kids about it, too! Let them know all the nice stuff your spouse does for the family.
Have fun together
Whenever you can, hang out together doing stuff you both like. Having fun together helps you get closer. Sit down and write down all the things you both really enjoy doing. Then get super excited about trying out new stuff together! A happy relationship is all about making cool memories, getting closer, and having lots of laughs along the way.
Don’t keep track of who’s ahead
We all have good and bad days. Life isn’t always perfectly balanced, but it tends to even out eventually. Keeping track of who did what can make everything feel like a game with winners and losers. But it’s not about winning or losing—it’s about teamwork. Instead of focusing on who’s ahead, aim for a home filled with love and understanding. And that starts by putting aside the scorecard and giving each other your full support.
Respect your partner’s alone time
Don’t snoop around where you don’t need to. Give your partner their privacy, and don’t go poking into their phone or social media. Everyone needs their own space to be themselves. If your partner asks for some alone time, don’t stress—it’s totally normal and actually good for your relationship. Sometimes, being together all the time can be too much. Taking a breather and having some time for yourself can help bring back that balance.
Do things on your own sometimes
Being independent is super important in a marriage. If we’re happy as individuals, we can be happier together. That’s the secret to a successful relationship. So husbands and wives should still make time for themselves, do what they love, and sometimes, have a little space from each other. When we keep our own interests and hobbies, we always have something interesting to chat about. Plus, it makes us stronger and more appealing to our partners.
Listen carefully to your partner
It’s important for everyone, but especially for guys, to focus on really listening. Sometimes, men might not realize that all their partner wants is someone to listen to them. This can be because of how they’ve been taught to communicate. Remember, listening isn’t just about hearing words—it’s about understanding with your heart. So, open up and pay attention to what she’s saying. Maybe repeat what she says to show you understand.
Love your partner as they are
One big thing that can harm a relationship is not accepting your partner as they are. Sometimes, this is associated more with women who tend to nag. But hey, remember you chose your partner for who they are—both then and now. Even if you want to change them, it’s just not possible. The secret to a happy marriage is realizing this early on. Instead of pointing out their flaws, try to see the good in them.
Admit when you’re wrong
It’s simple and it’s one of the keys to a happy marriage. When you’re working on something together, own up to both your successes and your mistakes. If you and your partner have a disagreement—be willing to take responsibility for your part in it. That means owning up to anything you said or did, especially if it caused hurt or problems.
Always appreciate each other
Taking each other for granted can really poison a relationship. It’s common for couples to relax once they’re comfortable and expectations start to build. It’s just human nature—we get used to what’s familiar. But in marriage, you should never start to take your partner for granted—promise to keep respecting your partner—no matter what. Don’t make assumptions, and try to do nice things for them whenever you can.
Keep the romance alive
Having a healthy sex life is a big part of a happy marriage. It’s good to make it a regular thing, and some experts say it’s helpful even when you’re not really feeling it! To keep things exciting—it’s a very good idea to talk about what you both enjoy and maybe try out some new things.
Plan special nights out
Out of all the tips for a happy marriage, dating often gets overlooked. But it’s super important! It doesn’t matter what you do on your date night—just spending time together strengthens your bond and keeps it strong over time. When you have a date night—try turning off your phones and putting them away. That way, you can focus on each other without any distractions.
Say nice things to each other
Giving compliments regularly helps keep your relationship strong. It’s super important to notice and appreciate the good things about your partner every day. Stay positive and pay attention to the things your spouse does well. When things get tough, and you start noticing their not-so-great qualities—try to focus on the positives instead of dwelling on the negatives. It can make a huge difference in your relationship.