Can you look back at this year and honestly say your marriage looks a little different than it did this time last year? Can you see improvement or growth in the way you and your wife relate? More importantly, if your wife was asked this question what would she say?
Many people use the end of the year to reflect on their goals and accomplishments. When you began the year, you may have had high hopes for your marriage, but then life hit. When life hits your marriage, it can come in different forms – disagreements arguments with your wife, financial setbacks, or very little quality time spent together.
All can be very challenging, but they can also be stepping stones for growth in your marriage. This year, be intentional starting now. Start working on the growth in your marriage now, so you can look back one year from now and say your marriage looks better. Below are 10 ways to make your marriage better this year.
Make your marriage a priority.
Your wife is the most important person on this earth to you. Show this by making her and your relationship a priority.
Plan your time together.
The calendar is your friend. Block out non-negotiable time to spend with your wife, and make sure you actually spend the time with her.
Create a marriage plan.
What do you want in your marriage? Better communication, better sex, more time together? Talk to your wife about it and discuss how you plan to achieve it. Find resources, tools, and anything you can to help you.
Go back to dating.
I’ve learned how consistent we are in dating each other many times directly reflects on how our relationship is going. Challenging times in our relationship are usually preceded by a lack of consistency in dating and courting one another.
Pray together.
Similar to the dating tip, our relationship is affected by our prayer life together. When we are praying together, we are connected and feel we can take on any challenge that comes our way.
Exercise together.
We recently began working out together. Not only are we improving our health, but we get to see and encourage each other to accomplish something tough.
Go to bed at the same time.
There are times in our relationship when we’ve had to go to bed at different times of night. But closing out the day together by laying down, talking, praying, or reading brings a balance to our day and relationship.
Go on a retreat together.
Many couples vacation annually, but few take retreats. Go on a marriage retreat geared toward growing your marriage. Instead of feeling like you never got away when you came back, you will feel refreshed and will probably have learned something you can implement to help your marriage.
Eat more meals at home together.
I never realized how infrequently the dinner table is used in many families. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to connect with your wife (and kids) by having regular meals together at home.
Connect with other married couples.
Having a small group of couples you hang with, talk marriage with, and even counsel with helps you see that you are not alone in your marriage challenges.
I want to have a marriage that gets better with time. What can I do to make that happen?