5 Tips for Surviving Your First Year of Marriage

5 Tips for Surviving Your First Year of Marriage

Posted on January 14, 2018

If you’ve been with your partner a long time and have shared a home together, you may think getting married won’t change anything aside from getting a piece of paper that shows you’re official. However, things do change - and these changes can bring obstacles that may cause you to file for divorce before celebrating your first anniversary.

After the honeymoon phase ends and real-life responsibilities kick in, such as bills, chores, and work; couples may become overwhelmed as they begin to feel different about their partner. Instead of becoming worried or overwhelmed about the new changes, embrace being newlyweds, and follow these tips to help you survive your first year of marriage.

  1. Don’t take each other for granted.
    While it’s normal to get comfortable in a relationship the longer you have been together, you still want to make an effort to let your partner know you care about them. Once married, the act of pursuing your significant other typically begins to decrease. Therefore, it’s essential to set up regular date nights and remind your partner how much they mean to you.

  2. Be on the same page.
    You probably had those necessary life-changing discussions when getting engaged, but things can change once you’re married. Maybe you set a particular year as a goal to have kids, but then became a CEO of a company and realized you wouldn’t have as much time to be a parent. As your goals change, especially when it comes to finances, children, intimacy, and careers, it’s critical to stay on the same page as your partner by using open and honest discussion.

  3. Understand your first year is the transition period.
    Work through your differences as a unit with the mindset of “we” and not “I.”  You’ll need to be open to learning, compromising, and adjusting to each other through the good times and the bad as you integrate your lives together.

  4. Continue having adventures.
    After all the excitement of planning and having your wedding has died down, it’s natural to feel your mood change. To keep the enthusiasm in the marriage going, continue creating adventures with your spouse. Taking risks and trying new things allows you to keep the marriage feeling fresh and fun.

  5. Know there will be conflict.
    Even in the newlywed stage, there will be conflict that must be resolved. Conflict will not go away during your marriage and learning to look at conflict in a positive manner will help you in the long-term. If one person prefers to deal with the problems right away and the other needs time to cool down before having a conversation, work together to find a solution that works best for both of you.

Surviving the first year of marriage can be one of the most difficult challenges for many newlyweds. In fact, many married couples say their first year was the hardest. However, your marriage can be successful if you and your spouse are willing to put in the continual work that makes a relationship last.

If you are having concerns about your marriage that do not get resolved, don’t be afraid to seek help from a professional who can guide you - whether you’re contemplating legal separation, divorce, or some other related action.  The family law attorneys at The Roberts Family Law Firm have more than 20 years of combined experience in family law litigation.  Call us today at 407-426-6999 or fill out the online form located on this page and one of our knowledgeable attorneys will contact you shortly.

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