Some of the best advice I offer to couples that I consult with is …. Implement strategies from other successful long-term couples. Why reinvent the wheel? Of course, not every technique or suggestion you will utilize but why not try out a few strategies to see which ones work best for you?
President Jimmy and Rosaline Carter have been married for over 75 years this past July 2021. They are the longest marriage of any American president. They are still very in love and still going strong.
Here are a few tips the legendary long-term marrieds offered as suggestions for keeping your long-term relationship strong and alive.
They say it’s important to make the other person your partner in everything you do. They say that if you want to be in a true partnership that you must consult with your partner on all major life decisions. This is sound advice indeed. I can recall my own grandparents who were high school sweethearts and married for over 60 years, having their nightly discussions about life and family affairs and how they would proceed.
Next is the all-important advice of … don’t go to bed angry. I have heard this many times throughout my life and can attest to the power of making this priority in your relationship. Wise couples understand that fights will still happen but it’s how you respond to them that is important. When you do fight on occasion, it is good to talk it out and try to reach some kind of an understanding so that no one goes to bed angry … allowing for hurt and angry feelings to stew all night long.
Lastly, the Carters’ recommend making sure you enjoy each other’s company. It may sound simple yet many people don’t really consider if they like their partner outside of the bedroom, for example. Sharing common interests, spending quality time together in nature, or doing hobbies you enjoy together are great places to start. Reading together or to each other, making sure to eat breakfast together to start your day off right are just a few suggestions. Pick what works best for you so that you don’t ever end up taking your partner for granted.
Do you already have some relationship ground rules that have helped sustain your partnership? Please comment and share below… We can all be better together.
