10 Common Mistakes Married Couples Make

Karleen Savage

It's no secret that a happy, healthy marriage takes work. Couples often make the mistake of neglecting their relationship, not spending enough time together or forgetting to keep the spark alive. But what many couples don't realize is that there are common mistakes that can damage your marriage. By being mindful of these things, you can work to prevent them and keep the love alive for years to come! Let's begin.

1. Not spending enough time together. It's easy for busy couples to let their relationship fall to the wayside. But it's important to make time for each other, even if it's just a few minutes each day.

2. Taking each other for granted. When you've been together for awhile, it's easy to start taking your partner for granted. But remember, they are still the person you fell in love with!

3. Neglecting romance. Couples often stop doing the little things that make their partner feel loved and special. From flowers to chocolate or a stroll through the tool store, small gestures can mean a lot.

4. Having unrealistic expectations. It's normal to have high expectations for your spouse, but don't expect them to be perfect! The pressure to mirror that expectation can be exhausting. Everyone makes mistakes and it's important to be forgiving.

5. Focusing on the negative. It's easy to get caught up in all the little things your spouse does wrong, but try to focus on the positive instead. Nobody is perfect and it's important to remember that we aren't either.

6. Holding grudges. If you've ever had a fight with your partner, chances are you're still holding onto some resentment. It can be expected, but holding onto grudges will only damage your relationship in the long run.

7. Letting disagreements turn into battles. Ugh, disagreements have happened, but next time, try not to let them turn into full-blown battles. Try to take a breath, consider outside influences and be willing to compromise.

8 . Refusing to apologize. When it's appropriate, remember mistakes are common, but apologizing is the first step towards reconnecting again.

9 . Not communicating effectively. Communication is key in any relationship! You've created your own style for sure, but without open honestly with your spouse, there will be problems down the road .

10 . Underestimating the importance of intimacy. Intimacy is an essential part of any healthy relationship! If needed, and it probably is, make time to define and then act on physical and emotional intimacy with your spouse on a regular basis.

It's definitely not news that a happy and healthy marriage takes work. But it's always good to be reminded of the things that we can do to help keep our relationship strong. Spending time together, being romantic, and not taking each other for granted are all important aspects of a lasting romance. Just make sure to avoid making the common mistakes that can damage your marriage!