The 3 F’s of a Successful Marriage
“Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate.” – Barnett R. Brickner
Is your marriage struggling? Or are you looking to actively prevent obstacles? A successful marriage can be broken down into three simple F’s. If you follow this formula, you increase your chances of creating a happy and healthy partnership. Here’s what you should know.
1. Fun
When is the last time you and your significant other kicked back, relaxed, and simply enjoyed time together? Relationships simply don’t work without our time investment, and any marriage needs intentional, quality time together.
You may have heard the idea that you shouldn’t stop dating each other, and this is true. If you aren’t actively attending to your partner’s heart, planning dates, and thinking of them as if you don’t already have them, then this could damage your relationship long-term. Even if you have a job, family, or everyday stress, remember to have fun together. It’s important to a healthy relationship.
2. Fight
Yes, knowing how to fight “correctly” is essential to a successful marriage as well. If you don’t know how to navigate conflict, communicate issues, and resolve fights effectively and efficiently, then you’ll feel like you’ve hit a breaking point every time a problem comes up. Here are some tips:
- Establish ground rules for your arguments
- Take turns talking
- Acknowledge your partner’s point of view
- Make requests, not complaints
- Know when to pause from the discussion
3. F***
You probably knew this was coming because a little intimacy often goes a long way! Couples who enjoy a healthy sexual relationship often have a more successful marriage. So, even when the rest of life gets hard, you want to make sure your sex life stays strong through the following:
- Open communication
Talking through your thoughts, feelings, and desires about sex can be essential to helping maintain intimacy. Intimacy isn’t just about how often you have sex…it’s about the quality of those encounters as well. Improve it with a greater understanding of one another.
- Shared desired and expectations
You’ve likely heard this before, but we’ll tell you again. Be open and honest with your partner about what you want. Your partner loves you and wants to make you feel good, so let them know directly, tactfully, and sensitively. This can help deepen your relationship and allow everyone to have a richer experience.
- Planned sexual encounters
Sex is supposed to be spontaneous, right? WRONG. As you age, you’ll find that you don’t have time for sex unless you schedule it. Make a specific sex date to ensure it stays on both your priority lists. You’ll find you have more sex this way, and you’ll both be able to get more creative with flirting and foreplay if you have the time to think about it in advance.
Final thoughts
The 3 F’s can be used to improve any marriage. Remember to have fun with each other, fight the healthy way, and prioritize sex. You and your partner will feel more fulfilled in your relationship and happier overall.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or you’d like more information, please call us at 1-844-QLC-TALK (1-844-752-8255) or email us here.
Know a Quarterlifer Who’s Struggling? Here’s How You Can Help
Loss, Grief, and Mourning: Which Stage Are You In?
