It doesn’t matter if you’re newlyweds or if you’ve been married for 20 years or more, you must be intentional about preparing your marriage for success. It really won’t work without you and your spouse’s active participation.
And, success looks different depending on the couple you ask. But one thing that I know for sure is that the majority of us want joy and happiness in our relationships. So in many of our minds, that’s the real definition of success.
Take a look at your marriage to determine what needs to happen now in order for that goal of happiness to be reached. It’s important to take inventory of what’s worked, what hasn’t worked so well and what you need more of. This is a two person job that can’t be done without input from your spouse.
If you’re curious about how to specifically achieve that, here are a few suggestions:
Remind your spouse how important the marriage is to you. In doing so, use well-thought out words that come from the heart and not just words that sound good. Think about the early start of your relationship and remember why you wanted to marry your spouse in the first place.
Consider your next wedding anniversary and plan how you would like it celebrated in advance. Don’t let it pass by without making it a big deal. It really doesn’t matter which year you’re honoring, because each anniversary means something significant. You can reread your vows, take a mini-vacation or even a staycation. Just do something to make the day special. The celebration demonstrates the excitement for your union.
Spend a year being thoughtful and considerate of one another. Do little things just because you can and you want to, and not because a holiday requires you to do so. Couples can easily make doing for one another a habit. Bringing home little trinkets your spouse has admired or having spontaneous date nights are a couple of great ideas that work.
Set a regular check-in schedule at least once a month to ensure you and your spouse are doing right by each other. You want to make sure you are still meeting the needs of the other. Sometimes checking in will even reveal when needs have changed, which is also necessary information a spouse should know.
Search for ways to be complementary and supportive of your spouse. Words are powerful. The more often we use kind, thoughtful and gentle ones, the better off our marriage will be. Make it a point to uplift your spouse. Remind them why you love them and how amazing they are. Look for things they do that you are truly grateful for and be sure to say thank you.
Be good to yourself so you can be good to your spouse. You can’t prepare for marriage success if you’re not at your best. Look for ways and resources to release your stress. Take time for yourself to unwind, think clearly and make decisions. Be gentle and loving to your body. Eat right, work out and have some fun. Your personal happiness will easily spill into your marriage.
Thinking about the success you desire as a couple is one thing…but preparing for it is something totally different. There are intentional actions required of you both, that if you do properly, will definitely ensure a successful year of marriage.
BMWK, in what other ways can you prepare for a successful year of marriage?