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5 Areas Practice Pays Off in Marriage

5 Areas Practice Pays Off in Marriage

By Relationship Basics 3 Comments

What things could you use some practice in? Maybe you’re picking up a new hobby or want to develop a particular skill for your job. Perhaps you’re giving a speech at your best friend’s wedding or you’re trying to perfect that special family recipe before the next big gathering. Whatever the case, practice typically leads to some degree of improvement, whether it’s immediate or more incremental.

What about in your marriage? “Practice” might seem odd in this context. Maybe you think about “working” on or prioritizing your marriage, but where does practice come in? Well, there are actually several areas in which practice pays off. Let’s dive into some. Read More

Do You Need a Marriage Debrief?

Do You Need a Marriage Debrief?

By Conflict No Comments

Have you and your spouse ever been in a situation that you know for certain requires a discussion, but that’s simply not possible in the moment?

Even if you’re masters of resolving conflict, there are times when getting into it right then and there isn’t the best choice. These are the times that call for a marriage debrief. Read More

Creating Your Celebration Culture

Creating Your Celebration Culture

By Parenting, Relationship Dynamics One Comment

Are you someone who celebrates their birthday all month, all week, one day, or not at all? Where does your spouse land?

Chances are you fall into one of these categories, and you probably know people who fit into the others. Are you and your spouse in the same group? If not, how are you navigating those differences?

It seems like a minor thing, but how you celebrate – whether it’s birthdays, holidays, milestones, or accomplishments – runs much deeper. Read More

Daily Forks in the Road of Marriage

Daily Forks in the Road of Marriage

By Relationship Dynamics 3 Comments

They say that loving your spouse is a choice you make every day. That’s true, but is it really just based on one single choice? Perhaps more accurately, it is the cumulative effect of many choices you make throughout the course of every day. Small forks in the road can send the dynamics of your marriage down a path of warmth and connection, or quite the opposite. Sort of like those “Choose Your Own Adventure” books that were popular in the 80’s and 90’s, the decisions you make when interacting with your spouse have a way of feeding off the previous and into the next. For better or worse, these seemingly small choices can become ingrained as habits or relationship patterns that stick. Wondering what we mean? Here are 4 forks in the road you might encounter on a daily basis: Read More

3 Types of Expectations That Cause Conflict

3 Types of Expectations That Cause Conflict

By Conflict 7 Comments

Whether we realize it or not, our expectations have a big impact on how we perceive and experience life. Was your day good or bad? Did that new restaurant hit the mark or fall short? Was your long awaited vacation everything you hoped it would be? It all depends on what type of expectations you had. And the same applies to your marriage.
Unmet expectations are the root cause of many marital disagreements, and they can come in several forms. Here are 3 types of expectations that can cause conflict between you and your spouse. Read More

Breaking the Ice in Marriage

Breaking the Ice in Marriage

By Conflict, Connection 3 Comments

You might think icebreakers are only for awkward team building exercises at work or networking events, and cringe at having to come up with a fun fact about yourself. You and your spouse already know each other, why do you need icebreakers?

Well, you know those times after a negative interaction or argument, when you walk away with things unresolved. Tension lingers between you. The vibe feels cold, strained, or just “off.” Maybe you’re not actually still mad at each other or fighting – there’s just a sense of uncomfortable distance or silence between you. You might both be wondering if the other person is still angry or struggle with being the first person to “give in.”

It’s tempting to just deal with this dynamic and let things get back to normal in time. You can’t stay cold toward each other forever, right? On the surface, it might seem like all is forgotten, and everything is fine. However, when things are never fully repaired between you, resentment can fester, ultimately eroding your emotional connection and damaging your relationship. The alternative, of course, is to be proactive about breaking that ice between you, so that you feel closer after a fight instead of the opposite. The problem is, it’s not always easy. It’s hard to know what to say, and sometimes our own pride and human tendencies can get in the way. That’s where these tips can help. Read More

10 Warm Weather Date Ideas

10 Warm Weather Date Ideas

By Quality Time 3 Comments

Summer is just around the corner, and it’s warming up even in the regions known for their frigid temps – like here in Minnesota! Because the winters are so long and cold, the locals tend to spend as much time outside as possible during the warmer months, and that includes dates! If you can relate, then keep reading for some of our favorite warm weather date ideas. Read More

4 Underrated Ways to be a Great Wedding Guest

Underrated Ways to Be a Great Wedding Guest

By Family & Friends 4 Comments

Wedding season is upon us. Maybe you’re in the phase where it seems like everyone you know is getting hitched, and your weekends are booked. Maybe you’re at the tail end or completely out of that stage, with only a random wedding here and there. Wherever you’re at in this progression, it’s safe to say that being a wedding guest is a much different experience than being the ones getting married. You might think your only job is to show up, and that’s not totally wrong. But you can do better! Here are 4 underrated ways to be a great wedding guest: Read More

Weathering Weekend Mindset Differences

Weathering Weekend Mindset Differences

By Conflict, Quality Time One Comment

The weekend lies ahead of you – a blank slate of possibilities. Are you and your spouse on the same page about how to spend it? Think of the phrase, “That’s what the weekend is for.” To you, what is that, exactly? Is it for doing all the fun activities and outings you don’t have time for during the week? Is it for tackling your to-do list of chores and projects? Or is it all about relaxing and recharging at the end of a busy week and before starting the next?

The truth is, the way you want to spend the weekend might differ from what your spouse has in mind. You might have very different weekend mindsets overall, or even just from one weekend to the next. On their own, these preferences can cause conflict. Throw in a few unspoken expectations and less-than-stellar communication, and it’s a recipe for a disappointing weekend. If you and your spouse have experienced this before, then these tips are for you. Read More

3 Signs of a New Season

3 Signs of a New Season & What to Know About Each One

By Resilience 4 Comments

How can you tell the seasons are changing? Aside from the calendar, you probably notice changes in the weather, the amount of sunlight streaming through the curtains in the morning, or the time you spend outdoors in the evening. Maybe the pace of your job or your kids’ schedules pick up or slow down. Holiday festivities get replaced by graduation parties and weddings.

How do you know when you’re transitioning to a new season in your marriage? It’s not always as clear – there are fewer external cues. Instead, there’s often just a feeling, a sense that things are shifting – which can manifest in different ways. Wondering what those are? Here are 3 signs you might be entering a new season, and what you need to know about each one. Read More