50 Ways to Improve Your Marriage in 2010
Editor’s Note: This post is from Tess Marshall of The Bold Life.
What would your marriage look like in 2011 if you focused on improving it for the next twelve months?
In a world filled with stress and fear the very thing we can find comfort in–our primary relationship, we tend to ignore or take for granted. Being in a loving relationship has a positive effect on every area of our lives.
Print this article, discuss it with your spouse, and then put it on the refrigerator.
Begin to take action today.
Your reward will be a happy family.
Cost: priceless!
50. Schedule date nights regularly.
49. Speak your truth in a respectful way.
48. Ask for what you want or need.
47. Share your feelings often.
46. Create magical moments.
45. Compliment your spouse daily.
44. Change yourself instead of trying to change your spouse.
43. Look your best, dress up and be well groomed.
42. Lower your expectations.
42. Learn to enjoy each others company.
41. Plan for good times.
40. Support each other’s individual goals.
39. Create goals together.
38. Do service work together.
37. Eat as many meals together as possible.
36. Talk to each other for 30 minutes a day.
35. Pray or meditate together.
36. Share in each others interests.
34. Touch your spouse several times a day.
33. Kiss every day for at least 12 seconds.
32. Apologize and state how your behavior will change.
31. Spend time away from each other.
30. Be trustworthy.
29. Remove the television from your bedroom.
28. Accept each other’s flaws.
27. Don’t take each other for granted.
26. Give each other space.
25. Offer to help with daily chores.
24. Say please and thank you no matter how big or small the act.
23. Always give away the extra cookie.
22. Serve yourself last.
21. Check in with each other while apart by talking or texting.
20. Clean the other’s car.
19. Watch some TV together.
18. Be the first person to pick up the dishes from the table.
17. Smile often.
16. Gaze into each other’s eyes.
15. Eat meals slowly and really listen when the other speaks.
14. Refuse to hold a grudge.
13. Cuddle often.
12. Be honest.
11. Forgive often.
10. Surprise each other.
9. Spend 3 weekends alone together each year.
8. Plan and stick to your budget together.
7. Always discuss major purchases before making them.
6. Laugh at each others mistakes.
5. Never threaten each other.
4. Make honesty your best policy.
3. Respect each other.
2. Remember together you’re a team.
1. Make love often.
Photo courtesy pedrosimoes7
This post was written by a guest author on Simple Marriage. If you enjoyed their work, please leave a comment and check out their site. Also be sure to subscribe so you don't miss any future posts.6 Responses to “50 Ways to Improve Your Marriage in 2010”
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Wow, what a great list! I particular like #36. My wife and I make it a point to reserve just 15 Minutes per day to be at peace, speak and just be a couple. Based on the reactions I have heard from others who have tried this after reading it on my blog, it seems to be pretty powerful.
Of course, 30 minutes is even better!
“Speak your truth in a respectful way.”
This is SO IMPORTANT and I love that you included this, Tess. Every relationship will have its challenges and the only way to meet them is to do so openly and lovingly. Without this step, the energy of negativity and frustration can erode what we've built.
Love this article!
#42… how low is too low???
That's so important in marriage life that you have to improve that and makes it better.Fro that most important thing is trust if you have enough trust then you will get good married life.All points above is so important for improve our marriage life.
Wanted to print this, but couldn't fit it on 1 page. So I made a PDF version of it.
Available here:
http://bit.ly/50ways2010pdf
Hope it's ok.
What a great list. If I had this list years ago – may be I wouldn't be divorced now! #5 is a real no-no and #12 is a must.
Experience is a great teacher….