Marriage is a joyous occasion when two people in love vow to spend the rest of their lives together, working as a team for happiness, health, and love. Nothing is better than falling head over heels in love with someone and tying the knot. What an adventure your lives together will be.
In reality, however, a married couple’s life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows; it’s more like a rollercoaster as they go through ups and downs. All marriages will go through their rough patches; people change as they grow older, and life throws us curve balls.
What matters is that couples grow and learn together. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, and couples drift apart, putting their happy marriage in trouble.
If this sounds familiar and you’re desperate to get your marriage on track, then you have already taken the first step to fixing the issue by admitting there is one.
There are several self-help methods you and your significant other could try to get your marriage back to where it all began when you were saying your ‘I do’s’. There are professionals out there that will help support you through the healing process.
Take a look below at our top 5 ways in which you can turn your marriage around when it’s in trouble.
Talk it Out
Communication in any relationship is key, make time to talk to your partner about how you really feel and don’t forget to listen to them. Often when there’s a communication breakdown between couples, both feel under-appreciated and taken for granted.
Don’t suffer in silence and bottle up your feelings towards your partner; this can quickly escalate into resentment and start a cycle of unhappiness. If you find it challenging to get your point across or have tried to sit down and talk it out many times before but still feel like you haven’t gotten down to the nitty-gritty, then a counselor is your next go-to person for guidance.
Many counselors specialize in marital conflicts and breakdowns. We suggest choosing a counselor that is professionally trained and accredited. Farah Premji, a registered psychiatrist, puts emphasis on taking a research-based approach that, as she states ‘adopts an eclectic approach to counseling, which is wholly dependent on individuals’ needs’.
Get Away from it All
Halting our daily lives and taking some time to retreat from our routines does us all a world of good. For couples, getting away for a while together allows you time to bond again, communicate, and spend quality time together.
A mini-break or holiday is something you can both enjoy. Relax, unwind, destress, and fall in love all over again.
Date Again
Similarly to going away on a retreat, bring your relationship back to basics and date again. As couples grow, they change. Get to know your new significant other, what they’re interested in, and what passions you share all over again.
By going out on date nights and leaving your daily life behind for a moment, it gives you both scheduled time to spend together, to appreciate each other, and talk one on one; not about chores!
If you go out with other people, then surround yourself with positive friends and marriage role models. By doing this, you’ll be sure to have a good time and come away feeling optimistic about relationships and married life.
Make Changes
When clear communication is established, you can begin to work out ways to make each other happy again. This may be something as simple as making small changes to your routine, habits, work schedule, or living environment. Just by making a few changes, you and your partner could end up being less annoyed with each other and feeling more appreciated.
Marriage isn’t easy and comes with compromise, but if you’re willing to try your very best to make each other happy, then it’s worth all the effort!
Start a New Hobby Together
After years of marriage, it can feel like you’re running out of things to talk about. Starting a hobby is a great way to find enjoyment and a passion in life, but starting a hobby together means you can share and discuss your new-found interest.
You can attend competitions or events together, and it’s another good way of spending quality time together doing something you both enjoy.
Begin a New Chapter
Don’t get stuck in a stagnant relationship, and understand that marriage isn’t always easy. If you love each other and desire to stay together, then you must work with each other to weather the rough storms that life brings.
For a healthier and happier marriage, try some of these tips and remember communication is crucial at all times! You might just find yourself falling deeper in love than ever before.