Advent Calendar

Communicate clearly and often

Communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. When you feel like you can't talk to your spouse, it leads to resentment. A healthy marriage needs two people who respect one another enough to communicate their feelings and opinions on an issue openly. The stronger your marriage, the easier listening to each other becomes.

You communicate better when you feel secure in who you are as a person. You communicate better when you know that you are loved. The more secure someone feels as a person, the more they can relax and be themselves. The more secure someone feels about their marriage, the easier communication becomes.

Have and encourage alone time

You need to make time for your spouse. This doesn't mean that you have to spend every second of every day with them. It means that you should be able to spend time alone with your spouse.

Being alone with your spouse will allow you to talk about things that you can't talk about with others. It will also give you time for hobbies, passions, and interests. This alone time will allow the two of you to bond. It will help you learn more about each other without the interference of others.

A couple needs some time together where they aren't interrupted by all the things that life can throw at them. The alone time can be in the bedroom, on the back porch, or a walk in the evening with the two of you holding hands while talking about everything that happened during each of your busy days.

Take responsibility for your actions

You need to make sure that you take responsibility for the way you act. This means that no matter what happens in the relationship, you should take responsibility for it. There is no reason to blame someone else when something goes wrong. You need to take responsibility for your actions.

This will show your spouse that you are a strong person. It will show them that you are confident in your actions and decisions. It also shows that you care about the relationship and what they think of you.

Don't judge your spouse

You should never judge your partner. You can't judge someone other than yourself. People make mistakes, don't be quick to judge them for their mistakes. If you judge your spouse, they will feel judged and may distance themselves from you.

If you have a problem with something that your partner does, talk to them about it. Let them know that it's a problem for you and see what they say. If they agree with you, you can work on the problem together. If they disagree with you, then there is nothing that they can do.

You need to communicate and let them know that their actions bother you. Let them know that you are there to support them no matter what. If they are willing to work with you, your relationship will only improve.

Say "sorry" (and mean it)

Apologizing is one of the most critical things in a relationship; after all, you two are in a relationship because you love each other. When you are wrong, or you have done something that hurts your spouse, apologize. It doesn't have to be a big apology.

You can say you are sorry without saying why you are sorry. Just say "I'm sorry" and mean it. Let your spouse know that they are essential to you. Your spouse will be able to forgive you easier when you show that you care about their feelings.

You will find that when your spouse feels like they are essential, it can make it easier for them to forgive your mistakes too.

Say "thank you"

Say "thank you" every day. People like to know that they are appreciated. When you stop and think about it, you should appreciate many things in the relationship. There are many things that you need to be grateful for in your relationship. You need to take time to say "thank you" every day to your spouse for the things that they do. If you do this, then they will realize how much they mean to you. Saying "thank you" every day will make them feel good about who they are.

It's a simple gesture that can make someone feel special. It's also a way to show your spouse that they matter in your life. You need to do this because it will help them feel loved and respected by you.

Learn how to compromise

Compromising is not always easy. When you feel right about something, it can be hard to agree with your spouse. Compromising isn't about giving up what you think is essential. It's about working together to find a way to make both of you happy. Compromising is like a puzzle. You and your spouse can work to make it all fit together.

Compromise doesn't mean that you always give in; you should both feel like you win when you compromise. When you hold out just to prove that you are right, you are missing the point of compromise. You can compromise by being flexible and not rigid about your choices.

Forgive each other

Both of you will make mistakes. Sometimes, a lot of times, you will both do things that hurt each other. It's easy to hold a grudge and be upset when your spouse has done something to hurt you. Forgiving your spouse is essential to your relationship. It will help the hurt feelings not become a problem. If you are not willing to forgive them, it can cause bad feelings that further damage your relationship.

You need to be willing to forgive your spouse and forget the things they have done. If you cannot forget, it's going to make it harder for you to move on from this incident. It helps if you can do this when your spouse apologizes.

When your spouse apologizes, it's a sign that they have grown. You can move on from the issue and work on being better as a couple. Don't hold a grudge for a long time. It can cause problems in your relationship.

Look for the best in each other

It's easy to get cynical and down on your spouse. If you find yourself doing this, remind yourself what they do to make you happy. When you think of the good things that your spouse does for you, it makes it a lot easier to deal with the bad.

Sometimes it can be easy to look at the negative and forget about the positive. You can always focus on what's right in your relationship. You can look for the good rather than focus on the bad.

If you can make it a habit to see the good, you will see the good, and it will be easier to deal with the bad. You can find it easier to forgive and forget. This will keep you from getting into a situation where you feel like calling it quits.

Make time together a priority

You need to make time to be together. You should plan ahead of time for that time. You should put it in your schedule and make sure you follow through with it. Make this time important for both of you.

Make sure you plan something fun, romantic, or exciting. Plan something that you both are looking forward to doing. If you cannot spend time together, then you should make it a priority in your life. This will keep the relationship healthy and strong. You need to let them know that their needs are important in your life. If they know that, then they will feel special and respected by you.

Don't lie to each other

Trust is important in any relationship. If you are trying to build a strong relationship with your spouse, you should trust them. This means that you shouldn't lie to them about anything big or small. You shouldn't be afraid to be honest with them.

They need to know that they can trust you. This is especially true when it comes to your feelings and thoughts about the relationship. You should trust them not to hurt you with their honesty about their feelings, thoughts, and opinions.

You should never lie to your spouse. If you do, it could cause a very big problem in the relationship. In most cases, when one person in a relationship lies to the other person, it will lose trust. A lack of trust in the relationship is hard to repair.

Don't sweat the little things

Sometimes the little things are what we stumble on the most. Not everything in life goes the way you want it to. Relationships, housework, and parenting do not always go like you expect them to go. If you are upset, take a few minutes to cool off before you say or do anything. Let your words and actions come from a place of love instead of anger.

It's hard to think well enough when you are hurt to see things clearly. Things are not always as bad as they seem, so take a step back before you react. Strive to find solutions that work for everyone involved. Take that pressure off of your relationship, and you can concentrate on working towards solutions instead of trying to figure out who is right or wrong.

Trust each other

Trust is critical in a good marriage. If you can't trust your spouse, it makes it difficult to talk to them. If you can't trust your spouse to respect your feelings, it makes it hard to listen to them. It also makes it hard for you both to be intimate.

You can't trust someone you don't know. Trust takes time to build. The more you give, the more you will get in return. The best way to build trust is to be open and honest about your feelings, thoughts, and opinions.

It goes without saying that trusting someone involves being honest with them. You have to be willing to listen to your spouse and be willing to respect their feelings and decisions as well.

Keep intimacy alive

Intimacy is vital to keep your relationship exciting. It should be something you enjoy sharing. Intimacy can help you relax and connect in a way that doesn't require words. Intimacy can help you connect on a level deeper than anyone else understands. Warm and loving touches, hugs, kisses, and cuddles help you feel connected as a couple.

Intimacy may not always be the same. It's not always about sex or getting naked. Sometimes intimacy can mean just holding hands. Intimacy is not an end in itself; it is a means to an end. The end is a greater connection between you both.

Always fight fair

When someone's buttons get pushed, their first reaction is often to lash out at you. The only way to deal with this is to fight fair. If you respond in a way that is mean or disrespectful, it only makes the problem worse.

Be willing to apologize if you have acted in a way that was not respectful or fair. If your spouse forgives you, then it's time to move on and focus on the future. If they don't, it's time to reevaluate how you are dealing with your issues.

Sometimes it's not about who is right or wrong; it's about how you treat each other. Choose to fight fair and make sure it's a win-win situation. If your spouse feels better, then you both win.

Keep dating each other

One of the things that you should always do is go on dates. A date gives you the chance to spend time together and rekindle the feelings you had before getting married. You can recreate those feelings during your date.

You don't have to plan the most expensive or fancy dates. A simple date at a fast-food restaurant is good enough. The more you can remember the feelings that brought you together in the first place, the closer the two of you will become.

Even a picnic in your backyard or a walk through a park can be a great way to reconnect. It's important to remember that it's not just about what you do on a date, but also about the time the two of you spend together.

Be best friends

Your spouse isn't just your spouse; they should be your best friend as well. Friendship is a crucial part of any healthy relationship. If you have the opportunity to spend time together outside of the roles you play in life, do so. Cooking a meal or going for a bike ride is a great way to connect, especially if it is something you don't normally do.

Friends do things together, and they don't always have to be planned. Doing something spontaneous can help you connect with your spouse as well as bond as a couple. Regular date nights are a great way to give yourself some time alone as a couple and spend time together as friends.

Express love

Expressing love is as simple as showing someone you love them through your words or actions. Expressions of love can be small, like complimenting your partner every day, or large, like hosting a romantic evening. Sending a "good morning" text, saying "I love you," and telling your spouse how much they mean to you every day is an easy way to make your spouse feel loved.

It's easy to get caught up in the minutiae of daily life. Carpools, job duties, children's schedules, social commitments, and household responsibilities quickly consume each day. It is easy to forget that there are people in our lives who we love. There is nothing like a loving gesture to make someone feel special and remind them how much you love them.

Touch often

Communicating with your hands, without words, is a very intimate act. There's something about touching that makes you feel close to the person you are touching. It's a very sensual feeling that can change how you think about love.

It is good for you to stay connected in this way. It keeps the passion between you both alive and robust. Keep touching each other when you are alone just to keep that fire burning.

Touch each other when you are with others to show them that your marriage is happy and romantic. Touching each other when you are in front of friends and family shows that you care about each other. The more you touch, the more you will feel the love between you.

Be romantic often

Keep your romance alive by showing your affection often. It's important to be romantic with each other to keep a strong bond between you both. It can seem cheesy, and a little over the top, but a thousand small acts of kindness can work together to bring you closer together.

Anything from a simple compliment to helping out without being asked helps your spouse know that you care. It shows them that you have been listening and have been thinking about what is important to them. Little romantic gestures can show your spouse that you haven't forgotten how much they mean to you.

Talk about sex

Sex is an integral part of any marriage. There's nothing to be ashamed about when discussing your sex lives. Sex is a component of a healthy relationship. You must feel comfortable enough with each other that you can discuss your sex life without feeling like it's something wrong or taboo.

Understandably, you might feel uncomfortable in the early days of your marriage discussing sex. You'll become far more used to talking about sex as time goes on. You'll begin to see sex as another aspect of marriage that makes your union more enjoyable. Sex isn't always about sex; sometimes married people want closeness, attention, and the type of affection that can only happen during lovemaking.

Remember your commitment

Many people have difficult times in their lives where they just don't feel like being committed. If you get into this situation, it's important to remind yourself why you wanted to get married in the first place.

You need to remind yourself of all the great things that you have together. You can take these thoughts and build on them. You need to remember all the good times you have had and look forward to what's next.

You also need to remind yourself about why you love your spouse. You can look at your wedding photos or your wedding video for support. If you are having a hard time remembering the commitment you made, these things can help.

Don't take each other for granted

One of the worst mistakes you can make in a relationship is to take your spouse for granted. This can cause your spouse to feel like they are not important.

You need to take the time to appreciate them and show that you love them. It's not hard to do this as long as you focus on the positive. Focus on things that your spouse does that make you feel happy.

Show your spouse that they are important and that you love them no matter how much time has passed. Don't let the relationship become stale. Don't get into a routine where you are just doing things because it's easy. Stay excited and focused on your relationship no matter how long it has been.

Choose to love

Couples choose to love each other. It's not something that just happens without any effort on your part. Loving someone is a choice that you need to make every day. Even the best marriages have their difficult times.

If you choose to love and be loved, it can help you get through the more challenging times in your marriage. The more you choose to love each other, the easier it will be for you to stay together when things get rough.

Choosing to love means that you will make sacrifices for each other. You will do your best to make your spouse feel loved and cared for. It's essential to go above and beyond when choosing to love someone.

It's not enough to just show your spouse that you care. They need to know that you are willing to make sacrifices for them. If they feel the love, it will make their life easier and more enjoyable overall.