4 Proven Hacks to Improve Your Marriage In an Instant!
After you’ve been married for a while, your marriage often feels like it’s fallen into a rut. Solving that problem isn’t just about “talking it out.” It’s about making a few changes and following relationship advice that will drastically impact your spouse, your marriage, and your live.
Change your expectations:
Are you expecting too much of your spouse? Better question: do you feel as though your spouse is expecting too much from you? If you’re a two-career family with kids, both of you may feel burdened and overwhelmed. Instead of trying to toss that burden on each other’s shoulders, try shifting your expectations to reflect what your spouse is actually capable of doing. If he frequently comes home tired, cranky, and stressed out, don’t expect him to immediately step up to the plate and help you out with the kids. Try giving him thirty minutes or an hour to himself and see what a difference it makes. Feeling as though the weight of too much responsibility is falling on your shoulders while you lower your expectations for your spouse? Look for ways to shift that responsibility away from both of you. For example, if the yard work is getting away from you, you might consider hiring someone to come in every other week to do the mowing. Having trouble keeping the house clean? A cleaning service might be the best gift you can give each other.
Learn your spouse’s love language:
It doesn’t take relationship counseling to discover your spouse’s love language. In fact, chances are, you already know it. Does your spouse reach out to touch you frequently? Ask for a massage at the end of a bad day when he’s feeling off? His love language is probably physical touch. Does your spouse need your attention and look for opportunities for time together? It’s probably quality time that he needs most. Taking the time to work out what speaks most potently to your spouse and making the effort to speak his language can make a huge difference in your relationship.
Pay attention to the little thing:
The strongest relationships display attention to the small details of the relationship–little things that many couples take for granted. For example, do you remember to thank your spouse for doing the hard things that he does every day to show you his love? Do you praise him deliberately in front of others? These small details can make a big difference in your marriage.
Perform acts of kindness:
It’s often amazing how much more likely we are to perform acts of kindness for a stranger than we are for our spouse, especially once we add kids into the equation. When was the last time you performed a small act of kindness for your spouse? Whether it’s a text to check and see if he needs anything before you leave work at the end of the day or taking the time to put away his socks and underwear along with yours, small acts of kindness can make a big difference in your marriage.
If you’re looking to make big changes in your marriage, start small! In the end, it’s not the big, one-time gestures that matter the most. It’s the small acts that carry you through each day with one another.