A beautiful union
Marriage is a beautiful journey and comes with its fair share of challenges and growth opportunities. From seeing her as soon as I got inside the house to arguing with her over an event I did not want to attend, situations and incidents were a mix of happy and sad. Over time, I realized that certain habits and behaviors are hindering my happiness in the relationship. And using a few tips along with some self-reflection, I managed to let go of these detrimental actions. In doing so, my marriage flourished and eventually I became a happier husband. readmore
I let go off unrealistic expectations
One of the most significant shifts I made was letting go of unrealistic expectations I had for my spouse. I used to expect my wife to conform to a predetermined image of the ‘perfect’ partner. I expected her to cook for me, clean behind me, support me in family issues, etc. This led to disappointment and resentment when she didn’t meet those expectations. Realizing the flaw in this approach, I began embracing my wife for who she truly is, with her own unique strengths and weaknesses. I learned to appreciate her efforts and love her unconditionally. readmore
Comparing my marriage
Constantly comparing my marriage to what I perceived as an ‘ideal’ relationship was another harmful habit I had. Whether it was friends, family or portrayals on rom-coms and shows, this habit only fueled unnecessary insecurities and discontent. To overcome this, I focused on the uniqueness of my own relationship. I recognized that every marriage is different and has its own set of challenges and blessings. readmore
Not caring for the two of us
Being preoccupied with work and responsibilities often made me neglect caring for the two of us. I would become so engrossed in providing for others that I forgot to take care of the two of us. Realizing the importance of self-care, I started setting aside some ‘us-time’. This included activities we enjoyed. Reading together, baking our favourite red velvet cake or just relaxing together. By prioritizing happiness and health, I found that our relationship grew stronger. readmore
Avoiding open communication
Avoiding open communication View pictures in App save up to 80% data.
Early in our marriage, I tended to avoid addressing issues or concerns openly, fearing intense conflict or discomfort. However, bottling up those feelings and not communicating effectively only created a strain in our relationship. Recognizing the significance of open communication, I began to express my thoughts, feelings and concerns openly and honestly with my wife. This shift allowed us to resolve misunderstandings, strengthen trust, and cultivate a deeper connection. readmore
I held onto grudges
Harboring grudges and resentment from past disagreements was a toxic behavior I used to engage in. These negative feelings would linger and negatively impact our relationship, affecting my overall happiness as a husband. Learning to forgive and let go was transformative. I started to address issues when they arose, discuss them openly and talk it out before it grew into overthinking. This change freed me from the burden of carrying grudges. readmore
Putting work commitments before her
Being overly focused on my career was another habit that hindered my happiness as a husband. While providing for my family is important, neglecting quality time with them due to work commitments created a sense of distance and dissatisfaction. Over time I realized that prioritizing work was working prior to my marriage, but with another person in my life, this was not feasible. Realizing the importance of a work-life balance, I made a conscious effort to prioritize my family. I started setting boundaries with work and dedicating meaningful time to be present with my wife. readmore
Ignoring little acts of kindness
In the pursuit of grand gestures and big milestones, I often overlooked the significance of small, everyday moments in our marriage. These small gestures of love, appreciation and kindness can often be the glue that holds a relationship together. Acknowledging the value of these small moments, I began to celebrate them. A simple ‘thank you’ note in her lunch or a spontaneous act of hugging her before eating dinner would light up our days. This change in perspective made our marriage more fulfilling and enriched our happiness.