7 Signs Your Marriage is Thriving… and How to Keep It Strong Every Day
Marriage is a journey filled with ups and downs, but the small, everyday actions make the biggest difference. While grand gestures have their place, consistent, loving behaviors truly sustain a healthy, vibrant relationship. In today’s blog, we’ll explore seven signs that your marriage is thriving and offer practical tips to keep it that way.
1. Daily Expressions of Love and Appreciation
What’s something you love about your partner? Have you told them recently?
Regularly expressing love and appreciation is a cornerstone of a thriving marriage. These positive affirmations uplift your partner and strengthen the emotional bond between you. We feel good when our partner honestly affirms us.
Daily Tip: Take moments daily to affirm your love and appreciation for your partner.
2. Open Requests for Love and Emotional Connection
Do you feel emotionally connected to your spouse?
In a busy world, it is easy to lose touch with our emotional needs. It’s even easier to lose touch with our partner’s emotional needs.
Rather than expecting your partner to know what you need, openly ask for the love and connection you desire. Since they may lose touch with their emotional needs, ask them what they need to help them connect. This proactive approach keeps the relationship fresh and fulfilling.
Daily Tip: Whenever you need connection, express it to your partner clearly and lovingly.
3. Meaningful Conversations About Important Matters
When was the last time you talked about your future together?
Discussing significant topics like finances, parenting, and long-term goals is essential for maintaining a healthy marriage. Regular conversations on these subjects ensure that both partners are on the same page.
Daily Tip: Set aside time for meaningful discussions, such as finances, future plans, or parenting.
4. Sharing and Unburdening Stressful Experiences
Are you carrying stress alone?
Life’s stressors can damage your marriage if left unshared. In a healthy relationship, partners confide in each other about external stresses, helping to lighten the emotional load. When problems and stresses are kept within, we retreat more into ourselves. When we share our burdens, we feel lighter, know we are a team, and do not need to carry our stresses alone.
Daily Tip: Make it a habit to discuss your daily stresses with your partner. This will allow both of you to feel supported.
5. Casual Conversations About Daily Life
Do you still talk about the little things?
Thriving couples don’t just focus on the heavy, essential matters—they also engage in light, casual conversations. These seemingly insignificant chats help maintain a relaxed and connected atmosphere in the relationship. Don’t forget to laugh at ourselves and together.
Daily Tip: Spend time each day simply talking about your day’s events, no matter how small.
6. Asking for Help When Needed
Do you ask for help or try to do it all alone?
In a healthy marriage, partners feel comfortable asking each other for help with tasks or challenges. This teamwork fosters a sense of collaboration and mutual support.
Daily Tip: Don’t hesitate to ask your partner for help with tasks, whether big or small. Working together strengthens your bond.
7. Addressing Relational Hurts Promptly
Are you holding onto hurt, or are you addressing it?
No marriage is without its moments of hurt. However, in a thriving relationship, partners address these hurts quickly and with care, allowing for healing and growth rather than letting wounds fester.
Daily Tip: When you feel hurt, express it to your partner immediately. Clear communication is crucial to healing.
Marriage is a continuous journey of love, understanding, and connection. It requires daily intentionality and effort. By focusing on these small but powerful actions, you can ensure that your marriage survives and thrives.
Written by Cindy Picht LPC, CEO. The original article was written in April 2022, and the updated article was written in September 2024.
About Cindy Picht, MA, LPC, ACS, CEO
Chief Executive Officer. Helping individuals heal from trauma and abuse and be free from anxiety. Cindy has limited availability in Midland Park.