🤍 Learn how you can care for your spouse’s mental health.

🌟 Spending some time alone can be good for both you & your marriage.

💔 When you forgive yourself, you can learn from your mistakes & move forward.

🤗 Wondering if you’re a good friend? Look no further.

🗣️ Yes, even the happiest couples argue!

live in the present with your spouse

Have you ever gotten into bed, rolled over, and said “I miss you,” after sitting next to your spouse on the couch all evening? Or thought it silently to yourself as you question, “What did we even do? I mean we were next to each other—how can I miss them?” Just being in the same room with your spouse doesn’t make you present with each other in ways that make your marriage stronger.

The fix for this? Finding ways to be more present with your spouse. Think of it as the way you spend your time together. Quality over quantity… though if you can make time to have your cake and eat it, too, a high quantity of quality time sounds amazing.

Here are 4 ways to begin being more present with your spouse:

✨ Intentional conversation.

✨ Touch.

✨ Pay attention to ways you can connect throughout the day…

✨ Make time for fun!

Being more present with your spouse doesn’t have to take a lot of time or energy. But it does take being intentional with the time and energy you can offer each other. 

find more understanding toward your strong-willed spouse

Often at the beginning of relationships, it’s the differences that attract. You must admit that your spouse probably didn’t become strong-willed overnight. When you began your relationship, they may have exhibited strong-willed qualities that benefited your relationship. They were firm and steadfast in their beliefs and in their decisions. They were transparent with boundaries and expectations.

But now, them being strong-willed has become a problem to be solved. However, your strong-willed spouse doesn’t see themselves as having or being a problem. They are being themselves. As such, your spouse sees themselves as determined, passionate, self-assured, confident, or knowing their own mind.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Your approach to them matters.

2. Give them space to figure out their point of view.

3. They have feelings beneath the surface.

4. Timing is key.

5. You’re on the same team, yet have different (roles, positions, responsibilities).

Marriage is made up of two different people walking through life together. Once you begin to see your spouse’s strong will positively, it will enhance your relationship.