Marriage isn’t easy. It’s arguably one of the most difficult things you’ll ever do, and that’s saying something considering parenting is hard enough. But even if marriage is harder than it looks on the surface, it still deserves our respect. That’s why, in this blog post, we’re sharing nine rules every couple should live by. From honouring each other to talking openly and honestly, these tips will help you get through your marriage stronger than ever.
1. The ability to communicate effectively is essential.
Communication is key in any relationship, and it’s especially important in a marriage. Whether you’re fighting tooth-and-nail over trivial things or just trying to jumpstart the conversation, following these simple rules can help improve your communication skills.
- Set Boundaries: One of the most important things you can do for your relationship is to set boundaries. This means knowing when and how much you’re willing to talk about specific topics. If one of you feels like they’re constantly being pulled into conversations they don’t want to have, set some boundaries and stick to them.
- Listen Respectfully: Both of you must listen respectfully to each other without interruption. Stop talking when the other person has finished their sentence, and try to avoid making assumptions or criticizing decisions they’ve made.
- Communicate clearly: When communicating with each other, be as clear as possible. If you don’t understand what someone is saying, ask them to clarify it rather than assuming something is wrong. Don’t make assumptions either; if something doesn’t seem right, check with them before acting on it.
- Document Everything: One of the best ways to improve your communication skills is by documenting everything! This means taking notes during conversations, writing down thoughts after meetings, and anything else that might be relevant to the relationship. This will help you track progress and better understand each other’s feelings and motivations.
2. Take your intimate relationships slow instead of forcing them.
When it comes to intimacy, couples should always negotiate and agree upon what is comfortable for both of them. Forcing intimacy can lead to tension, decreased attraction, and eventually a breakup. Instead of insisting on the wrong things from your partner, try communicating openly and honestly about what you want from them in bed. This way, both of you will be able to have enjoyable and satisfying intimate interactions.
3. Don’t be afraid to compromise when necessary.
It may be tempting to hold onto our position and refuse to budge, but if we want to maintain a healthy relationship, we need to be willing to compromise from time to time. This doesn’t mean giving up on our beliefs – it means accommodating the other person’s point of view without losing our own.
For example, if your partner wants to watch their favourite show but you’re tired, it might be polite to say that you’d like to watch something else instead. Or maybe they want you to make dinner tonight but you’re already busy, so you offer to order takeout instead. By being considerate and compromising when necessary, we can keep our relationships healthy and thriving.
4. It is important to schedule time for your partner.
To have a strong relationship, both partners need to make time for each other. This doesn’t mean working or doing anything else, it means finding ways to connect as often as possible. Whether it’s taking walks together, watching movies or just talking, spending time with your partner is key to a happy and healthy relationship.
One of the biggest mistakes couples make is not communicating effectively. If one person isn’t feeling comfortable discussing something, it can lead to tension and conflict. It’s important to be open and honest with each other, even if it seems difficult at first. This will help build trust and strengthen the relationship.
No one is perfect and sometimes things will go wrong. It’s important not to get too upset about these small mishaps however, instead try to understand where the other person was coming from. If you’re able to do that then you’ll be able to resolve any disagreements without resorting to confrontation or hatred.
5. Allocate time equally.
It’s hard to be a good couple when one person is always working and the other isn’t given enough time to spend with them. To have a healthy relationship, both individuals in a couple need time to devote to each other. Make sure you’re allocating time equally so that neither partner feels left out or neglected.
Agree about how much time each person will spend on work and personal life. This way, everyone knows what their expectations are and can live within those boundaries without feeling resentful or uncomfortable.
Find ways to share work responsibilities evenly. This includes tasks such as answering emails, dealing with customer service, completing project deadlines etc. If one person is always tasked with more than their fair share of work, it can lead to resentment on the part of the other spouse. Try assigning some chores around the house or child-rearing duties so that everyone has an equal say in how their day goes and feels appreciated.
Don’t wait until things get too hectic before taking some time for yourself. This means taking 30 minutes for yourself every day even if you only have 10 minutes free at the moment; this will help you relax and rejuvenate which will benefit your relationship overall!
6. Always be honest with each other
No matter how long you’ve been together, there will always be things you don’t know about your partner and vice versa. Honesty is the key to a healthy relationship.
Here are six rules every couple should live by:
- Tell each other exactly what’s on your mind. Whether it’s something small or something big, get it all out in the open so that both of you can understand and react accordingly.
- Don’t keep things bottled up inside. If something is bothering you, tell your partner as soon as possible — it’ll reduce the chance of a conflict spiralling out of control.
- Be communicative when it comes to sex. If one of you isn’t feeling sexually attracted to the other person, be honest about that too and discuss what needs to change for both of you to have enjoyable sex together again.
- Honor each other’s feelings and opinions no matter how much they differ from yours. No one likes feeling like they’re always wrong, but disagreements are inevitable in any relationship — let each other have their say without getting angry or passive-aggressive back responses.
- Don’t put each other through hell just because things are tough right now. If something is stressing either of you out, talk about it before it worsens into an argument or hurtful behaviour; problems can be fixed before they become insurmountable issues!
7. Don’t take anything for granted.
Don’t take anything for granted. The couple should constantly be reminded to appreciate the good moments and cherish what they have together. No matter how strong the relationship may seem at times, things can change quickly and both individuals must be aware of this so they can make the most of any given moment.
Respect each other’s space. Each partner needs their own time and space to deal with personal issues or stress levels. If one partner feels like they are constantly being encroached upon, it could lead to a breakdown in communication or even hostility between the two parties.
Be honest and open with each other. It is important that both partners feel comfortable communicating any concerns or thoughts that come up, whether big or small. This allows for better resolution of conflicts as well as strengthens the relationship overall.
Don’t take things for granted sexually either! Sexual intimacy is one of the most important aspects of a healthy relationship and should not be taken for granted by either partner. Make sure to communicate any desires or concerns so there are no surprises later on down the road.
8. Set boundaries when needed.
As any couple grows closer, they will inevitably cross boundaries. Whether it’s sharing household chores or sexual fantasies, sometimes one partner will take on a role that the other finds uncomfortable or even unacceptable.
While it can be tempting to let things slide, doing so can cause tension and resentment. Here are four rules every couple should live by when crossing boundaries:
- Talk about what’s happening. When one partner feels like they’re being pushed too far, it can be hard to bring up the topic calmly and rationally. However, open communication is key to solving problems and preventing them from escalating. hashing out the issue as soon as possible will help prevent any lasting resentment or anger.
- Make sure both parties are aware of the boundary in question. Even if one person feels like they’ve been crossed, both parties need to be clear about what was going on before things got out of hand. This way everyone knows where they stand and there’s no room for misinterpretation or misunderstanding.
- Respect each other’s wishes. When one partner feels like they have been wronged, it is important to respect their wishes and not do anything that might make them feel further upset or angry. For instance, if one partner suggests skipping a sexual activity because they are feeling tired or stressed out, it is best not to push the issue if this is what the other party wants.
9. Respect each other’s autonomy.
Respect each other’s autonomy. This means that you shouldn’t try to control your partner or tell them what to do. Instead, allow them to make their own decisions and be their person. This will help build a strong relationship and ensure that both of you are happy.
Conclusion
Building a strong relationship takes work, but it is so worth it in the end. If both partners can communicate openly, respect each other’s needs and boundaries, and appreciate the good moments, they will be well on their way to a happy and healthy relationship. Thanks for reading!