Every relationship has problems.... Can you relate to these 5 common ones?
Please enjoy this post from Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott.
********************
Every married couple must overcome problems over the course of their relationship. Obstacles are part of life. Everyone faces them, but couples have the privilege of facing them together.
Today, we’re breaking down five everyday marriage problems most couples will encounter at sometime in their relationship. Let’s take a look!
1. NOT MAKING TIME FOR EACH OTHER.
Time is a valuable commodity. You must make time for one another if you want a happy marriage. However, it’s easy to get bogged down by careers, kids, and all-around busy schedules. The direct result of being too busy is losing valuable time with your spouse.
How to tackle the problem: Sit down together and have a chat about your schedules, and how you might be able to create more time for one another. There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Each couple will have to craft a rhythm that works for them. The big takeaway is to build something that works for you both and allows you to have more quality time together. (Our book, Your Time-Starved Marriage, is a great resource to help you tackle this issue.)
2. GETTING OUT OF SYNC.
Life can throw us out of sync with one another from time to time. Often, this manifests as a breakdown in communication and understanding. When we can’t understand where our spouse is coming from, it’s impossible to see their point of view.
How to tackle the problem: Always go back to basics when you find yourselves out of sync. Recall all the reasons you fell in love with your spouse, and open yourself up to a renewed understanding of them. Remember, you’re on the same team!
3. LOSING PATIENCE OVER EVERYDAY ANNOYANCES.
It’s a little too easy to get irritated with the people we’re closest to. Sometimes, we lose patience and lash out at our spouses when we’re annoyed or on edge. Even though this might seem like a little, inconsequential thing in the moment, the little things add up to a lasting negative impact over time.
How to tackle the problem: Put yourself in your spouse’s shoes. How would you feel if they were constantly snapping at you over little things, like the sock drawer being left open or the dishes piling up in the sink? Then, instead of making them feel bad about whatever is annoying you, see how you can help.
4. NUMBING OUT WHEN LIFE GETS TOO REAL.
We understand how tempting it is to disconnect and retreat into your own head when you’re going through a difficult time. It’s natural to want to stay occupied and keep moving at a fast pace to outrun whatever is happening. But doing so shuts out your spouse.
How to tackle the problem: Be vulnerable with one another and share what you’re each feeling. If you want, talk to your spouse about the positive things you want to do to cope with the problem. Then, choose a few activities to share that will help you stay connected and productive while you navigate the situation.
5. FAILING TO CULTIVATE INTIMACY.
Intimacy is one of the greatest joys of marriage. Unfortunately, many couples find themselves starved for intimacy because they’re not intentionally cultivating it. This can lead to other difficulties in your marriage.
How to tackle the problem: Make time to date your spouse, and carve out one-on-one, alone time specifically for intimacy. You’ll be surprised at how much a little intimacy can re-invigorate your passion for one another.
Click here to check out many marriage video clips from Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott. Or here to go to MMOC's marriage website pages for previous posts and other info.
Contact our MFL team for marriage support anytime.
