Experts recommend copying these behaviours of people in successful marriages
Seeing an elderly couple holding hands in public and seemingly besotted with each other can restore your faith in the happily-ever-after. But what’s the secret to enduring romance? Surely staying in a marriage long enough means conflict: Misunderstanding and personal stuff-ups are inevitable. Yes, but there are strategies that long-term couples practice that we all can copy. Here’s what three experts say the happiest married couples do to avoid common relationship traps.
THEY KNOW HOW TO SAY SORRY
It's important to realise that nobody’s perfect. Some of us expect our husbands to be totally okay with the worst aspects of our personality, even when we behave appallingly. When that happens it’s important to ‘fess up, seek forgiveness and remind yourself that your spouse is not your mum or dad and doesn’t have to tolerate your behaviour. When the “sorry” shoe is on the other foot, forgiveness can heal the damage, even if your husband’s attempts at apology are clumsy and inadequate.
THEY DON’T TAKE EACH OTHER FOR GRANTED
Happy couples respect and appreciate each other, says Matt Garret, regional manager at Relationships Australia. “They aren’t afraid to show their mutual admiration, gratitude and support. It also helps that they are unlikely to ever forget a birthday, anniversary and shared celebration.”
THEY CHERISH INTIMACY
This story is from the November 2017 edition of The Malaysian Women\'s Weekly.
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This story is from the November 2017 edition of The Malaysian Women\'s Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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