The Marriage Counseling Blog

What if everyone woke up everyday and asked themselves, “What’s one thing I can do today to improve my marriage?” The divorce rate would likely be lower and people would probably report higher rates of satisfaction in their relationships. Unfortunately, most people don’t focus on finding one thing they can do to improve their relationship. Instead, many people focus on what isn’t working in the relationship or on what they aren’t getting from the marriage.

What is something a person could do today that might improve their marriage? Maybe it is as simple as acknowledging your partner’s hard work. How often do you tell your spouse, “Thank you for going to work each day to provide for our family,” or “Thank you for doing such a great job taking care of the kids.” Showing appreciation for everyday tasks such as doing the  laundry, mowing the lawn, cooking dinner, or tucking the kids in can go a long way.

Share your love with your partner. Write a special note and put it in his pocket. Take a  minute to give her a hug or give him a back rub while he watches television. Showing some extra affection and attention can reinforce your feelings for one another.

Do an act of kindness for your partner. Cook her favorite meal. Buy him a gift. Do her chores for her. Whatever you can think of that will make your spouse’s day a little better can be helpful to your relationship.

Living in a fast-paced world can require a conscious effort to slow down and focus on one thing you can do to improve the relationship each day. Taking small steps to focus on the marriage can make a big difference in the long run. It can also help you focus on giving to the marriage and take the focus away from taking from it.