6 Keys to a Successful Marriage

Sharon Moore November 30, 2015

If unmarried couples do have ups and downs, what more do married ones? Marriage is a lifelong commitment. It involves giving a part of yourself to someone for the rest of your life, waking and sleeping beside that person, seeing his or her imperfections, and having to live by their shortcomings, unwanted habits, and behaviour. Even couples who seem to be so solid in their pre-marriage years do encounter a lot of challenges and adjustments after marriage.

But don’t be discouraged. While marriage may come with a hefty of struggles, it is one of the best things in life that you can ever experience. Just thinking about having someone by your side to be with you until your hair turns grey would surely paint a big smile on your face. And to overcome all sorts of hurdles in your marriage, here are a few things that are proven effective time and again:

First of all, remember that some fights aren’t worthy.

How many times did you and your spouse have fights this month? Give a few moments to think about it and you will realise that some of them aren’t really a big deal, but nonetheless, took a huge toll on your energy and emotion. Too often, you will get annoyed at some habits of your spouse that you want to explode. But before you do, take a deep breath first. Consider if the annoyance is really worth the fight.

Get a fair share of the housework.

Who among you is better at cooking? Who is more willing to do the ‘dirty’ job like picking up dog poop or taking the trash out? One of the most common causes of arguments among married couples is that one would feel like he or she’s doing too much while the other does not. Splitting the house chores can be life-saving. It ensures that nobody gets fed up and everyone gets enough time and rest, especially if both of you are working.

Pay attention to your looks.

Just because you are married now doesn’t mean you should stop taking care of yourself. When you don’t feel good about yourself, your self-esteem goes down, which can take a huge toll on your relationship. Get a new haircut, spend some cash in the salon, buy yourself a few clothes, and make regular exercise a part of your daily regime. Working out keeps your body toned and firm. What’s more, it gives you more energy, which in turn can spice up your sex life!

Always remember why you married this person.

Too much familiarity, along with financial troubles, worries, and daily stresses often pile up that we end up feeling detached from our spouse. So it helps to always remind yourself - What are the reasons why I married this person? Think about his or her great qualities. Think about those times when he or she was the only person who was there for you, kept you motivated and inspired, and supported you all through the way.

Always share the bed with your spouse.

There is no greater feeling that sharing the same bed with the person you love the most. Unless you both work from home, the two of you are probably spending most of the day apart. Night time is therefore the best time to reunite and focus your full attention towards each other. Doesn’t it feel so great that every day begins and ends with the one you love?

Lastly, never stop dating.

Don’t think you are way passed the dating stage. Once you stop dating, some of the magic fades away. Travel. Find a nice restaurant for tonight’s dinner. Bring home a bottle of red wine. Go out for a movie date. Always try to do something new. Never stop creating new fun and happy memories.

Marriage is a lifelong process. Don’t think it’s the last stage. Actually, it’s just the beginning of a wonderful relationship.