Saving A Marriage: Seven Considerations And Tips
Whenever a marriage seems to be in peril, wanting to save that union can be a natural reaction. Many individuals have invested years, if not decades, into this type of partnership; it's understandable when they want things to work out. However, there can be important details, considerations, and tips to be aware of when it comes to saving a marriage. Some marriages can be saved, while others cannot. Knowing yourself, your spouse, and what options you have going forward can prove to be of value to you by allowing you to make the right decision for yourself and your marriage. If you desire to save your marriage, consider the seven tips contained in this article.
A brief word on marriage
Marriage in the modern era has certainly changed from where it was decades ago. More and more individuals choose to get married later in life, and although most couples believe their marriages will last forever, up to 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Every marriage is different and has its own dynamics. Not all marriages end for the same reasons or under the same circumstances. Nevertheless, having a clear idea of factors linked to hurting marriages can be advantageous, especially for couples going through a rough period.
A healthy, successful marriage requires patience, commitment, and mutual dedication, which can take a lot of hard work. If both parties aren't all in and determined to invest time and energy into their marriage, it can be difficult to maintain the relationship. It’s not unheard of for a struggling marriage to have one person who is all in while the other doesn't care all that much to save it. Being on the same page can help foster a marriage that lasts.
Considerations and tips for saving your marriage
How you go about saving your relationship can greatly influence your results. When you think your marriage is in peril, the last thing you want to do is accidentally or inadvertently make matters worse. This is why being cognizant of the proper considerations and acceptable manner of saving your relationship can be relevant. All this said, there are some critical considerations and tips that you deserve to know when it comes to saving your relationship. These include:
Know what hurts a marriage
Understanding the factors and circumstances which adversely impact marriage can be critical; this information may save a marriage before it reaches the brink of ending altogether. Poor communication, deception, infidelity, and other matters of this nature place strain on marriages and can sometimes end them. Finances also play a role; if two married people have vastly different ideas on acceptable ways to earn, spend, save, or invest money, this can quickly cause problems. Resentment, anger, and other negative feelings have a way of festering and eventually exploding when the original issues at hand aren't dealt with. If you pay attention to these elements of your marriage, it is possible to save it before it becomes irreparable.
Consider your part in the issues
When looking to fix a broken marriage, it can be easy to analyze your partner’s shortcomings or errors. When it comes to marriage, rarely does all the blame lie upon one person. Being cognizant of the role you might have played in any issues which are currently underway can be helpful for repairing the relationship. This doesn't mean beating yourself up, but merely acknowledging areas where you went wrong and then committing to not repeating these same mistakes. This requires time, reflection, and discipline, but it can be done.
Compromise
Marriage is all about give and take. No one partner can have their way all the time without causing serious issues. Compromising can require both you and your partner to come together and make accommodations if you think your marriage can be saved. You may not be able to get your own way all the time, but you can reach a mutually satisfying middle ground. Saving your relationship is about working together and putting your heads together to make the relationship thrive.
Talk about the problems
If your marriage is in trouble, the chances are that you and your spouse have at least some idea of what could be contributing to this dynamic. Talking about the problems you’re facing can allow you to come up with the right solutions; talking further allows you and your partner to hear each other out. Holding onto hurt feelings, resentment, and anger can be counterproductive to saving your relationship. To achieve a more positive outcome, both you and your spouse will likely need to communicate about the tough issues. If you find this difficult, you could consider getting advice from a couples therapist.
Take care of yourselves as individuals
When you're not at your healthiest as an individual, you may not be in the position to give your relationship your all, especially if your marriage is struggling. Therefore, it can be critical for both you and your spouse to engage in healthy doses of self-care. Self-care can be as simple as exercising, taking a day off, going to the spa, or otherwise refreshing yourself. Everyone needs to recharge from time to time, and knowing when to step back can ensure that you have a clearer head as you move throughout the journey of saving your relationship.
Make time for one another
As you and your significant other work toward saving your marriage, it can be important to make time for one another. This can be as simple as going on a date, spending time together after work, or even talking to each other before bed. Engaging in activities that both partners enjoy can be another way to bond and make memories together. Time is something you can’t get back and giving it to your partner can show how much you care.
Give it time
Saving your relationship can be done, but rarely does it happen overnight. Just like it didn’t take a single Valentine’s Day to fall in love with each other, it can take time and effort to make things whole again. In most cases, it takes time for serious issues to develop and can therefore take time for solutions to be put into place. Try to remain patient with your spouse as you come up with fixes together. The mutual interest in saving your relationship can be a positive sign that there's still something worth fighting for. Some days may be more difficult than others, and that's okay. When it's all said and done, you both can come out on the other end of this, stronger than ever.
Online counseling with regain
Saving your relationship may not be an easy feat, depending on the nature of the existing problems at hand. Therefore, you and your spouse may find seeking professional help to be beneficial. With Regain, an online counseling platform, you can attend individual or couples counseling right from home. You and your spouse may have demanding careers or children, making it difficult to find local counseling services that meet your needs. With online counseling, you can speak to a therapist at a time that accommodates both of your schedules and from anywhere you have an internet connection. If you and your partner are willing to put in the work it takes to save your marriage, a therapist could be instrumental in the process.
The effectiveness of online counseling
Online counseling interventions can be helpful for couples hoping to save their marriage. In one study, researchers found that a web-based couples therapy program successfully allowed couples to identify and overcome the issues they were facing in their relationship. The OurRelationship intervention utilized integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT) to teach participants how to understand their partner on a deeper level and accept their flaws. Over time, couples were able to make lasting changes in their relationship through structured conversations to ultimately improve relationship satisfaction.
Takeaway
All relationships take maintenance and effort to work, and marriages are no exception. While conflict is inevitable in any union, it can be important to know how to move past these obstacles as a team. If your marriage seems to be nearing its end, it can be important to have an open and honest conversation with your partner about how to move forward. While most marriages can be saved, both spouses must be committed to the process. To receive support and guidance as you try to improve your union, consider confiding in a licensed marriage therapist. Regain can connect you with a couples therapist who can help you identify the issues in your marriage and equip you with the tools for overcoming them. Creating a healthy, strong marriage is possible when you have patience, support, and a willingness to work as a unit.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do you know if your marriage is worth saving?
It can be difficult to tell whether you should remain in your marriage or not, but there are some signs you could look for to determine whether your marriage is worth saving or not. One sign to look for is whether you feel you are still respected in your marriage and still respect your spouse. Respect can be an indication that you still consider and care about your spouse’s feelings. You may need to have a conversation about the bumps in your relationship and what can be done to smooth them out.
Another sign is whether your spouse is interested in putting in the work to keep the relationship healthy. Discuss what both of you think can be fixed and see whether they’re putting in a real effort to try. If you’re still unsure, you may want to speak to a counselor for relationship advice so that you can make the right decision for yourself and your partner.
How do you save a struggling marriage?
One of the first steps you can take when trying to save your struggling marriage is to have a conversation with your spouse about how you’re feeling. You could also speak to a marriage counselor to get advice. Not doing anything may only make the situation worse. It takes two people to make a marriage work, and it can be important to ensure that your spouse still wants to do what it takes to save your relationship. Spend some time doing some self-reflection and consider what you can do to help your marriage survive. If needed, attend couples counseling together to come up with solutions.
Can I save my marriage alone?
It can be difficult to save your marriage alone because relationships take two people to function well. You can take all the steps necessary to try and save your marriage, but if your spouse is not putting in the effort to grow or change, it may mean that they no longer care about the marriage. Both people must be committed to saving the marriage and doing what it takes to make it last.
How do you know when it's too late to save your marriage?
Every relationship is different, so there are no specific signs to look for when deciding whether it’s too late to save your marriage. It can be important to consider how your partner views the relationship to see if you’re both on the same page. Only then can you determine whether it’s too late to save your marriage. If both of you want to make your marriage work, you may be able to save it together. However, one person cannot do all the work—both spouses need to be committed to the process.
Why is moving out the biggest mistake in a divorce?
Many of the relationship advice sources out there will tell you that moving out of the marital home during a divorce is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. This is because it can be difficult to get back in. Your ex-spouse’s attorney may consider your actions as a sign that you have abandoned the family, which can make divorce proceedings more difficult. Even if you’re feeling pressured to leave, there is no obligation to do so if your name is on the lease or mortgage of the marital home. Of course, if your safety is in jeopardy, it can be crucial to find a safe place to live.
When should you walk away from your marriage?
You should walk away from your marriage if you are in danger of experiencing abuse or physical harm. Your physical and emotional health are higher priorities than trying to make your relationship work. In some cases, it can be less important to try to find ways to make your marriage work and more important to walk away.
Some elements of your relationship that you can pay attention to are your current emotional state, whether you are stuck in emotional loops, and what role you play in the relationship dynamic. If you are in a heightened emotional state, consider holding off on making rash decisions, such as leaving. You may want to make this choice after long and careful consideration.
Emotional loops are habits that form in relationships that may just need to be broken. It may feel like you have the same arguments repeatedly and think that is a reason to walk away, but you could be stuck in an emotional loop, which can be broken with therapy.
Lastly, it can be helpful to understand how your own actions in the relationship could be causing things to break down. There are two people in a relationship, so two people are involved with things being rocky. Do your part to understand what problems you could be creating and try to change your patterns of behavior. You may notice your partner starting to reciprocate and change for the benefit of the marriage as well.
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