As this Marriage Mantras series comes to a close, I thought I’d conclude with 50 bite-sized pieces of advice that you can implement today, tomorrow and forever.
1. Say “I love you” multiple times a day.
2. Spend as much time together as you can…
3. … but don’t be afraid of time apart.
4. Buy small gifts for each other. A bunch of flowers or a Mars Bar can go a long way.
5. Take baths together.
6. Eat dinner together.
7. Volunteer to do the crappy jobs.
8. Sex is important but snuggling afterwards is imperative.
9. Touch often (research consistently shows that touching more creates a stronger bond by releasing oxytocin).
10. Learn how to argue productively and without hurting each other.
11. Write love letters.
12. Say thank you.
13. Realise that romance isn’t all flowers and chocolates. Bring a take-away home now and again… take-aways can be totally romantic.
14. Accept each other 100%.
15. Realise when it’s better to just let things go.
16. You can never kiss too often.
17. Sometimes going to bed angry is better than arguing when you’re tired.
18. Be kind, gentle and patient with each other.
19. Have a regular date night.
20. Put down your mobile phone.
21. Watch crap TV together.
22. Be silly.
23. Realise that bottling up your feelings is never a good thing.
24. Research each other’s Love Languages.
25. Say these phrases to each other as often as possible: “I love you”, “I’m here for you”, “I understand”, “I’m sorry”, “I appreciate you”, “It’s nice to see you”, “I missed you”.
26. Never take each other for granted.
27. Do things because you know it will make them smile or make their day easier.
28. Compliment them everyday.
29. Never blame, criticise or say things that you know will hurt them.
30. Plan your future together.
31. Respect each other.
32. Hold hands.
33. Talk.
34. You’re entitled to get grumpy now and again, you’re not entitled to blame your partner for it.
35. Be observant and thoughtful.
36. Make the effort to tidy up after yourself.
37. Act with grace.
38. Be kind to each other.
39. Turn up the music and dance!
40. Stay up all night talking.
41. Write down the things that you love about them and hide it somewhere for them to find.
42. Be passionate…
43. … but realise that passion isn’t everything.
44. Staying in is the new going out.
45. Listen.
46. Laugh more.
47. Put their happiness before your own.
48. Ask questions.
49. Honesty is always the best policy.
50. Always make the relationship your top priority. Nothing is more important than each other’s happiness.
This is the final article in my ten part Marriage Mantras series. If you’ve missed any of the previous columns, be sure to catch up on them too.
Suppliers
- Photography: Devlin Photos
Just love this – and it’s all so true! A great way to finish the series.
Aww thanks Amy!
What a lovely read 🙂
Great post! I might have to write this out and pin it somewhere we both can see it. It’s nice to be reminded of the simple things.
This is really lovely. There are definitely points that are so easy to forget but also so easy to do. And it just makes your day that little bit special.
I couldn’t have read that at a better, more needed time! Will go home, wind my neck in and apologise!
These are great! Thanks for posting…#1 is my fav.
Beautiful and so true.
So true, thank you. Must print it off and keep it as a reminder for those hectic crazy days. So important to look after your relationship every single day.
These are great reminder tips for everyone who is married or getting married.
Love these, I could almost hear them working like Baz Luhrmann’s sunscreen song when I was reading them 🙂 x
I’ve really enjoyed this series, Kat! Such a perfect summary to end it with too! x
What a great way to end this series. I have totally enjoyed it all. I think everyone needs to be reminded of these simple, easy but much needed key notes on a relationship to help it go the distance
Such a sweet, thoughtful post.
i might have to print these and scatter around the bathroom,closet door, his and mine’s desktop table..hehe
truly, great reminders!!!
Fantastic! I love this 🙂
They really work miracles”
#20! This this this!
Hi there, we’ve just found you and just have to say we love your style, wonderful! Rich & Lyn
Me and my fiancé are proof that all of this works…..it’s like you wrote down the finer points of our relationship. I love your page xx
Trouble comes when 29 and 49 are in contradiction, and this is very common. How do you ask for or insist on what you need when that comes off as blaming your partner for not giving it to you already if they are sensitive and tend to dwell on negative emotion?
Lovely post. So many great things to remember. Also nice to see that a lot of them I already practice. Marriage can be hard work sometimes but it definitely gives the greatest reward.
I couldn’t agree more! This is such a beautiful list with amazing insight. Thanks Kat!
…and then the kids come into the picture 😉
I love this! Far too many people give up on relationships these days and i feel it’s because they don’t put the time and respect relationships need. Definately something we could all live, love and learn from
@Sarah – good point! Apart from that, I love this list! Have bookmarked and sent to my husband to read! Thank you 🙂
Love this. 😊