What does it entail when someone says they are building a strong marriage? Sharing your life with another person can be a challenge. For a marriage to be successful, it will take work, devotion, and love. Both spouses have roles to play to keep their marriage afloat.
Marriage is also a form of “partnership” and needs the effort of both spouses to make it strong and successful.
Strategies For Building A Strong Marriage – 15 Key Factors
A marriage based on love, respect, and trust only happens after a period of time. These qualities must be developed and consistently worked on to yield approving results. Here are fifteen (15) strategies to build a strong marriage.
1. Make Important Decisions Together
Let your spouse have a say in all important decisions that will affect your life. When both of you involve each other in all spheres of your lives, it helps you both to be on the same page. This shows that their opinions matter and helps to build a strong marriage.
2. Keep The Lines Of Communication Open
Talking with your partner is one of the best ways to keep the foundation of your marriage strong and healthy. Communication is about more than just things like the kids or the bills. It is more about sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Be honest about how you are feeling. Ask about what is bothering them when they seem worried or what they are delighted about when they look happy. Do it often too.
3. Don’t Bash Insecurities
If your partner has not given you any reason to doubt them, then do not. If you feel something is wrong, communicate with your partner about it.
Always remember that trust is the foundation of a healthy marriage. Are you a jealous type? Is there something your partner does that makes you feel insecure? Talk to them about it.
Being open about your insecurities with your spouse is a healthy act, and the ability of you and your spouse to understand this can strengthen the relationship between you and your spouse.
4. Learn To Apologize
Learn to shove your pride to the side and apologize for your part in a fight. “I’m sorry” is not the only magic word you can use at intervals. There are also “please,” “excuse me,” and “thank you.”
Apologize whenever you are wrong; it doesn’t have to be only when your spouse is upset. Acknowledging your offense is one of the first steps in taking responsibility for your actions.
It doesn’t matter if you were wrong physically or psychologically; if your behavior is unacceptable, you must apologize. Be sincere about your apology and do it without expecting one in return. Also, talk about how you plan to right your wrongs.
5. Learn To Forgive
No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. Your spouse might get you offended or hurt your feelings. At this point, it is just essential that you deal with your emotions and move on. Understand that disagreeing is normal, but this should not weaken your bond.
Learn from your and your spouse’s mistakes, and work on being a better partner. Be patient, and always remember that you’ll need forgiveness one day too. Focus on the positive parts of your relationship with your spouse.
6. Appreciate Each Other
Show gratitude for everything. Celebrate small, good moments too. Whenever something beautiful happens to your partner, help them savor the moment by asking questions to show that you are interested.
Actively celebrate the good news. Verbally experience your appreciation at every given opportunity. Do you like the way your spouse prepares dinner? Or how your spouse relates with your friends? Let them know how you feel.
Tell your spouse you are thankful for having them in your life. Ask open-minded questions and be a good listener. These are just a few of the many ways to show gratitude for the happy moments in your marriage.
7. Avoid Third Parties
Whenever you have arguments or fights, it is always better to keep things between you. Including a third party might worsen things. It would help if you normalized resolving your issues together.
This allows you both the opportunity to be vulnerable and express yourself in ways you would not if a third party existed.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t get professional help when necessary. A counselor or therapist would ensure that the privacy of your marriage issues is maintained as they are bound by doctor-patient confidentiality.
8. Have Fun Together
Being overly sensitive or uptight is no fun. Do silly or fun things together. Joke around, and have fun with your spouse. Try to understand your spouse’s sense of humor. Do chores together too. Break out of your daily routine to spend more time with your spouse.
These gestures have a way of making one feel looked after, and it also gives the impression of you being a responsible person. It is necessary to share everyday experiences.
9. Respect Each Other
Love cannot exist without respect. Respect their values, opinions, choices, etc. Give your spouse your undivided attention.
Encourage your spouse more. Show support for each other’s careers, welfare, and hobbies. If you disagree with them, find a respectful way to relay that to your partner. Practice kindness often.
10. Make Time For Each Other
Enjoy a date night, go for walks, and meals. You guys can decide to spend time with each other or with family and friends. It does not matter where you both are or who you are with. What matters is that you guys are together, so work on making that moment worth it.
Sometimes your spouse may be invited to a night out with their friends, don’t make your spouse feel guilty about leaving you home. There should be time for everything. Develop strategies for what to do when the conversation might run dry.
11. Overlook Certain Shortcomings
To have a happy marriage, you must accept your partner’s strengths and weaknesses. Learn about your common marriage issues. It is advised to Find out the reasons behind them and fix them effectively.
Married couples might develop certain habits that can cause nuisance or lead to divorce. Still, the ability to overlook some minor ones or talk about them when necessary helps to strengthen your marriage.
Be an encouraging spouse and try to live by example. Be a replica of the kind of spouse you want to have.
12. Set Realistic Expectations
Start by understanding your partner. If you are better at cooking, you can manage meal planning. If you are better at numbers, they can handle the budget. Get to know your likes and dislikes and work out your differences.
Avoid attacking your partner’s character when you are upset. Support each other to be the best version of yourselves. Tackle everything together as a team.
13. Be A Friend
Good friends say nice and supportive things to each other. Be a good listener too. You do not always have to make suggestions. Sometimes listen. Listen to their day or the highlights of your spouse’s favorite television show.
Make your spouse feel like a top priority. Rely on each other in times of difficulty. Be dependable and available. Be that first and last bus stop when they need assistance. Be a friend now and a lover later.
14. Learn To Compromise
Healthy compromises help you and your spouse to grow as a team. Let go of certain pleasures for the benefit of your spouse.
A compromise shows that you have a common goal in mind. It shows that you value a healthy partnership rather than your happiness. Make decisions and stick with them too.
15. Remain Consistent
Use action to back up your words. Be predictable, but in a good way. Your spouse should know that you will pick up the kids if they forget or that you will remember to replace the toiletries. This can only happen if you are consistent.
Find ways to stay connected even when you are apart. Consistent positive behavior is a vital element of every successful marriage.
To build a strong marriage, you must be consistent in every positive path you take. A consistent spouse is a dependable spouse.
Conclusion
Every couple faces challenges at some point in their marriage. Being able to handle these challenges together can lead to a healthier bond and help the couple to work through tough times.
Remember to remain faithful and committed to your spouse. Your relationship may grow and change, but these strategies can help your marriage stay strong and successful.
