4 Small Habits That Quietly Chip Away At Happiness In A Marriage, According To Experts
How a marriage slowly crumbles into disconnection.
Peopleimages.com | Canva A realistically positive mindset is vital to happiness and well-being for individuals and marriages. In our quest for a more balanced life and partnership, we often overthink, overcomplicate, and undercompensate until we miss the little things and our relationship unravels.
You might require some marriage maintenance to keep the love flowing. Research shows that maintenance behaviors can mitigate the impact of stressors on marital resilience and prevent relationship decline.
Here are four small habits that quietly chip away at happiness in a marriage, according to experts:
1. Conflict avoidance
You kill happiness in a marriage when you avoid conflict. Conflict is natural because you are two different people. In the end, open conversation about your differences can bring you closer together.
— Roland Legge, Spiritual Life Coach
2. Failure to listen
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That doesn’t have to be you. Nor do you have to feel unappreciated, overwhelmed, or unacknowledged. Contrary to popular opinion, marriage is not hard work. Maintaining a marriage is easy and fun when you learn how to have happy and healthy relationships.
— Jack Kinney, Career, Money, Relationship Facilitator
3. Neglecting appreciation
Overlooking the small acts of kindness or failing to express gratitude can slowly erode happiness in marriage. Consistently failing to acknowledge your partner's efforts can lead to feelings of being taken for granted.
— Erika Jordan, Love Coach / NLP Practitioner
4. Lack of acknowledgement
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In my experience, the one small behavior that can erode happiness in a marriage is neglecting to express appreciation and gratitude towards your partner. Over time, couples may become accustomed to each other's actions and gestures, taking them for granted.
The connection can start unraveling. Failing to acknowledge the efforts, kindness, or support of your spouse will lead them to feel unappreciated and undervalued, which will gradually diminish happiness and satisfaction in the relationship.
Let's be honest, the feeling of acknowledgment feels good. We want to know we are appreciated — it's a human need. So, regularly expressing gratitude and acknowledging the little things your partner does can go a long way in maintaining a strong and happy marriage. It keeps the connection strong!
— Sue Kohn-Taylor, Self Leadership & Mental Fitness Specialist
Marriage is not difficult, but a healthy marriage takes some effort. To get the most significant return for your emotional investment in marriage, we need to pay attention to our small behaviors.
The little acts of kindness and understanding give us the most value in maintaining a healthy relationship. Marriage maintenance requires the courage to face inevitable conflicts from a place of love, listening with our complete attention, and appreciating and acknowledging the people we hold dear in our hearts. It doesn't take much to keep your lifelong love flowing freely.
Will Curtis is YourTango's expert editor. Will has over 14 years of experience as an editor covering relationships, spirituality, and human interest topics.
