Relationships have a lot of ups and downs, but there are some circumstances where the rough patch in your marriage is lasting longer than you thought it would. This isn’t an uncommon situation, especially for those who have been married for a long time. It’s easy to start taking your partner for granted, or perhaps even to find yourself feeling bored. If your marriage is going through a particularly rough patch at the moment, here are some tips that might help you get past it.
Communicate Honestly with Each Other
Tensions can build in a relationship because communication breaks down. If you’re apprehensive about talking to your partner about how they’re making you feel because you think they will be dismissive or it will cause an argument, take a deep breath and say what you need to say anyway. You might be surprised at your spouse’s reaction, and they might have some things they have wanted to share with you for some time as well. Just make sure when you are talking to one another, you keep it respectful. It might be hard to keep your cool when you’re angry and hurt, but shouting or being derogatory isn’t going to help either of you and will only make things worse.
Make Time for Each Other
If you don’t have quality time together in a relationship, this can cause a rift and make one or both of you begin to feel taken for granted. Agree that you will spend at least one night a week together with no distractions. Turn off your phone, get a babysitter for the kids, and just learn how to enjoy each other’s company again.
Get Some Space
Alternatively, perhaps what you and your partner truly need is some time apart. This will allow you to think about what you want without pressure from your spouse. When you come back together, you will hopefully realize how much you have missed each other and can start to rebuild your relationship.
See a Marriage Counsellor
Sometimes it helps to have an impartial person present when you’re trying to talk about your marriage problems. Rather than relying on friends and family who might feel uncomfortable or bias, speaking to a marriage counselor will allow you both to talk openly to each other in a safe space without fear of being judged. A counselor might be able to give you both a fresh perspective on your marriage as well as tips you can try to make things better.
Get a Divorce
Of course, this might be something that you want to avoid – but is it for the best? If you feel like you have exhausted all options and you’re both still unhappy despite trying to make it work, the truth is you’ll both be happier moving on from the relationship. It won’t be easy, and you’ll need to get yourself a good divorce attorney to help you through this process, but it could be the best thing for both of you. If you’re concerned about your marriage and want to address the issue, use these tips to see if you and your spouse can resolve your issues and move forward.