Over time, there may be a strain on your marriage, and you may not be getting along as well as you did previously. Instead of running away from the problem, it’s best to face it head-on. Here are some tips to help you deal with a struggling marriage that you may want to consider trying.
Stuggling Marriage – Openly Communicate
Open and honest communication is essential in any marriage or partnership. You want to make sure that you’re on the same page and your needs are being met. It’s best to talk about your issues and get everything out on the table. This way, you can both express how you’re feeling and try to resolve any open grievances. Make sure that when you talk, you eliminate any distractions and that each person is being an attentive listener. You want to avoid the conversation getting heated and instead use “I” statements and repeat back what you believe the other person is saying or what you heard.
Spend Quality Time Together
Another tip for dealing with a struggling marriage is to spend quality time together. One reason your marriage may be on the rocks is that you’re both too busy and feel disconnected. Therefore, it’s important to make an effort to reconnect and have some fun. Choose activities that you both enjoy doing and that help you relax and be in the moment together. It’s also a good idea to schedule a regular date night at least once a week or once a month, where it’s just you two and you can spend some time together enjoying a good meal or doing something exciting out of the house.
Struggling Marriage – Consider A Separation
While it may not be your first choice, sometimes a separation is necessary. You may just need some time apart to sort through your feelings, and if you believe you should stay together for the long term. You may want to live on different levels of the home or have one of you move into an apartment for the time being. In some cases, one or both of you may come to realize that a divorce is the best route to take for your marriage. Make sure that if this is what you choose, you hire and work with an experienced divorce lawyer who also specializes in child custody if you have kids together. Getting divorced can be messy sometimes, and you want to protect yourself and your kids and understand the legal jargon.
Try Couples Therapy
It may help to have an outside and objective perspective and a third-party to assist you and your spouse. If your marriage is struggling, then you may want to consider trying couples therapy or counseling. There are many benefits of doing so, such as getting both of your feelings heard and working through tough problems. The experts will have advice for how to best cope and move forward if that’s what you two are trying to do. They will give you homework to complete and help you navigate what your marriage can look like if you’re both willing to put forth the effort and time. Keep in mind that it’s usually more effective if both of you are on board and committed to giving it your all at the counseling sessions.
Take Good Care of Yourself
Most importantly, don’t let self-care slip through the cracks when your marriage is struggling. You must commit to taking good care of yourself and putting your needs first. It will help you deal with all the stress and strain you’re experiencing and ensure that you can put your best foot forward even if you’re hurting. Be sure to get daily exercise, eat healthy meals, and get plenty of restful and quality sleep. You may also want to reach out to friends or family for support if you need someone to talk to. Your well-being needs to be a top priority, especially if you’re heading toward divorce.
Conclusion
No one wants to experience a struggling marriage, but it does happen, and you’re not alone. Instead of shutting down, consider putting these tips into action so you can get through it and figure out a game plan for the future. If you do go your separate ways, remind yourself that life can get better and there is hope for a brighter tomorrow. Stay positive and be kind to yourself so that you can overcome any obstacles and make a plan for how to proceed.
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