Many people view marriage as a lifetime commitment. (In fact, some would say you have no business being married if you can’t look at it in that way.) Unfortunately, the scope of “till death do us part” often makes spouses feel undue pressure about how they’re going to keep their marriage together. They end up making it harder than it should be and cause their relationship to live up to ridiculous standards. The truth? Marriage longevity is often achievable by simply addressing the little things: how you greet one another, the things you talk about each day, the small gestures that say, “I love you” in a bigger way.
Here are some simple steps that you can take each day to divorce-proof your marriage.
One: Do things for your spouse without being asked.
The quality of your marriage will improve tenfold if you first know what is important to your spouse and next do that thing without being asked. For me, it’s laundry. My wife works really hard to keep our clothes clean even if she’s been working all day. That means when I get home from work, if I see a pile of clothes laying in the floor, I fold them without being asked. She always appreciates me for it, and that in turn makes me want to put in more effort without her having to ask me.
Two: Have ‘couples’ time every day.
You don’t have to be physically intimate each day, but you do have to set aside some time where your relationship is the priority. This could mean having a rule when you come home from work to where you sit and talk for 30 minutes before doing anything else. (And yes, this should take precedent even if your kids are begging you to come look at something they did or to play with them.)
Three: Check in with each other.
This doesn’t have to be a sweeping gesture. Just sending a thoughtful text or making a quick phone call can have an enormous impact on your happiness as a couple throughout the day. Don’t abuse this. After all, you don’t want to get yourself and/or your spouse in trouble at work. But do take a few moments of your free time throughout the day to tell your SO you love them, or to simply share something you think they will enjoy.
Four: Say thanks.
Marriages can go through spells when one spouse is carrying more of their weight around the house than another. Whatever it is that your spouse does for the good of your family unit, try to take time to say thank you in a heartfelt and meaningful way.
When both parties reciprocate the above suggestions, strong, long-lasting marriages are built. What do you do each day that makes a positive impact in your relationship, or what would you appreciate more of? Sound off in the comments section.