17 Best Marriage Advice From Couples Married For Decades
What is the best marriage advice to give couples? There is no single best advice that applies universally. The quality of advice depends on the context of the situation. However, marriage as a universal institution has a set of general rules that, when applied, can create an ideal marriage regardless of the dynamics of that marriage.
It is good to remember that for every journey we take in life, it is wise to seek advice from those who have already traveled that road. Marriage is a journey filled with highs and lows, joy and challenges.
Couples who have been married for decades have navigated these waters successfully and often have valuable wisdom to share. This post comprehensively shares the top marriage advice from couples married for decades.
17 Best Marriage Advice From Couples Married For Decades
This marriage advice from old couples with years of experience has been proven to work when applied with all intentionality.
1. Communicate Openly And Honestly
Communication is the cornerstone of any successful marriage. It is the rock of every marriage.
When you effectively communicate, you share your thoughts, feelings, and concerns without the fear that your partner will judge you or retaliate.
Couples who have spent years in a happy marriage will always stress the importance of open and honest dialogue.
When it comes to communicating, you have to be transparent and ensure that you and your other half feel heard and understood.
Effective communication is very important when it comes to resolving conflicts, making decisions, and strengthening the emotional bond between spouses. It’s very important to actively listen to your partner, see things from their point of view, and validate their feelings.
2. Never Go To Bed Angry
The Bible says ”Do not let the sun go down on your anger”. What most aged couples will say about this marriage advice is that resolving conflicts before they escalate is a good way to go. Some couples have lost their partners because they allowed things to go too far.
Going to bed angry tends to lead to resentment and a buildup of negative emotions. The purpose of talking things out after a fight is to find a resolution and go to bed with a clear mind and a peaceful heart.
Many couples agree that doing this has helped to maintain harmony and ensure that small disagreements don’t turn into bigger problems that will ruin the marriage.
3. Always Show Appreciation For Each Other
How else do you show your partner that you love them without telling them that you love them? Gratitude goes a long way in marriage.
Showing appreciation for your partner strengthens your bond and makes both of you feel valued.
Gratitude should not only be for the big things, it should also be for the little things your partner does.
There are lots of ways to express your gratitude to your partner. This can be through words, actions, or small gestures.
Are you lacking words to adequately appreciate your partner? I have written a well-curated list of beautiful things to say to your partner.
4. Prioritize Spending Quality Time Together
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to get caught up in routines and career pursuits and neglect spending quality time together. Many couples with the most beautiful love stories have drifted apart because of a lack of quality time together.
In this marriage advice, the importance of making time for each other can never be over-emphasized. Absence makes the heart grow fonder but prolonged absence makes the heart forget.
Make sure to spend as much free time as you can with your partner. This could be through regular date nights, shared hobbies, or simply enjoying each other’s company.
Prioritizing quality time helps you and your partner maintain intimacy, ensuring that your marriage blossoms no matter how busy you both are.
Quality time does not have to be in your house, it can be a date. Here are some intimate date ideas that will help you both spend time together.
5. Learn To Forgive And Move On
Bitterness is like a tree that will suck the life out of anything that has the potential to grow. Bitterness is a Debbie downer, it would not allow you to see the beautiful things you can be grateful for.
Where does bitterness come from? Unforgiveness and holding onto grudges. Holding onto grudges is detrimental to a marriage. This is one of the things that will ruin your beautiful marriage.
Couples who have been together for decades understand the importance of forgiveness. Learning to forgive and let go of past mistakes is important for a progressive marriage. You need to understand that everyone makes mistakes, that way, you can move forward together.
Forgiveness helps in healing and prevents bitterness from taking root, allowing your marriage to grow stronger.
6. Keep The Romance Alive
Romance is not just for the early days of a marriage. Keeping the romance alive is one of the best marriage advice for a long lasting marriage any long-married person can ever give.
This means continuing to date each other, surprise each other, and make each other feel special through little gestures. By keeping the romance alive, you maintain the spark and excitement in your marriage.
Romantic gestures, no matter how small, can reignite passion and remind you and your partner of your love and commitment to each other. So how do you keep the romance alive in your marriage, here are some ways;
- Schedule regular date nights to spend quality time together.
- Surprise your partner with small, thoughtful gifts or gestures.
- Write love notes or send sweet messages throughout the day.
- Plan weekend getaways to escape the routine and rekindle your connection.
- Cook a special dinner at home and enjoy a candlelit meal together.
- Take up a new hobby or activity that you both enjoy to share new experiences.
- Compliment each other often and express your appreciation.
- Keep physical intimacy a priority, with hugs, kisses, and more.
- Create a playlist of songs that are meaningful to your marriage and listen together.
- Make time for deep, meaningful conversations to stay emotionally connected.
Need more ways to spice up your marriage? Here are more amazing ways to keep the romance alive in your marriage.
7. Support Each Other’s Dreams And Goals
A successful marriage always features couples who engage in mutual support and encouragement. Couples who have been married for a long time understand the importance of supporting each other’s dreams and goals.
In supporting each other’s dreams, you take on the role of being each other’s biggest cheerleaders. You don’t only cheer them, you provide the necessary support they need to achieve personal and professional aspirations.
Supporting each other’s growth not only strengthens your bond as a couple but also ensures that you both feel fulfilled and valued in the marriage.
8. Laugh Together Often
Laughter is a powerful tool in a marriage. It breaks the ice, it clears the air and it eases the tension.
Sharing moments of joy and laughter can help in relieving stress, creating happy memories, and creating a loved atmosphere.
When you laugh together, you find joy in each other’s company and do not take life too seriously. Laughter brings couples closer and adds a sense of lightness and friendship to the marriage.
Couples who have been together for decades will always reference the importance of humor and laughter.
9. Be Each Other’s Best Friend
Friendship is a vital component of a strong marriage. This means being there for each other, sharing interests, and enjoying each other’s company.
Being best friends ensures that you and your partner are there for each other through the highs and lows, which makes your connection with your partner deeper than most and stronger than many.
Being best friends ensures that your marriage is built on a solid foundation of mutual respect, understanding, and companionship.
10. Compromise Is Key
Compromise is essential in any marriage. Compromise is how you show your other half that you are equals in marriage and is one of the best pieces of marriage advice a long-married couple would give you.
Compromising with your partner means finding a middle ground and making sacrifices for the sake of the marriage.
Compromise ensures that both partners’ needs and desires are considered, leading to a more balanced solution that works for both of you.
11. Stay Committed, Even During Tough Times
Marriage is not always smooth sailing, marriage is a journey and anything can happen on the journey. One of the best marriage advice happy couples follow is to be committed to your partner.
Your significant other will not always be special to you, and will not always be beautiful, in fact, you will fight and make up but in all these, the best piece of marriage advice is to stay committed. It is a phase that will pass.
Staying committed helps you weather the storm together and not give up when things get difficult.
Staying committed means supporting each other, working through problems, and never losing sight of the love that brought you together. It’s about standing by each other and facing challenges as a team.
12. Share Responsibilities And Work As A Team
A successful marriage involves teamwork. This means working together to manage household tasks, finances, and other responsibilities.
Sharing responsibilities makes both partners contribute equally to the marriage, enhancing that sense of partnership and cooperation.
13. Maintain Physical Affection
Physical affection is an important aspect of a healthy marriage and is one of the good marriage advice you can ever get. This means holding hands, hugging, kissing, and other forms of physical affection.
Physical touch helps in maintaining a strong emotional connection and enhances the bond between partners.
By the way, are you in need of ideas to maintain physical affection with your partner? Here are some romantic ways to maintain physical affection in marriage.
14. Respect Each Other’s Individuality
Respecting each other’s individuality is very important in marriage and is great marriage advice. This means respecting each other’s differences and supporting each other’s personal growth.
Respecting individuality helps you both feel valued and appreciated. Old couples would advise that respecting each other’s individuality is the perfect way to keep the love strong.
15. Keep A Sense Of Humor
A sense of humor goes a long way in a marriage.
The importance of not taking life too seriously and finding humor in everyday situations cannot be overemphasized. A good laugh can diffuse tension, lighten the mood, and bring partners closer together.
Keeping a sense of humor helps in navigating the ups and downs of marriage with good vibes and mutual love.
16. Make Decisions Together
Making decisions together is an important aspect of a successful marriage and is one of the best pieces of marriage advice long-married couples can ever give. This means discussing and agreeing on important matters, from finances to family planning; decisions should be made together.
Making decisions together makes your partner feel involved and respected, leading to a fulfilling marriage.
You don’t want to be a tyrant whose decisions negatively impact your family; two heads are always better than one.
17. Never Stop Learning And Growing As A Couple
A successful marriage involves continuous learning and growth.
Couples who have been together for a long time understand the importance of evolving together and will also tell you there is no graduation day from the school of marriage.
In growing together you have to be open to change and learn from each other.
Learning and growing as a couple is one of the best marriage advice for couples you can ever receive.
Final Words On Best Marriage Advice
An important piece of marriage advice you should remember is not just to read but also to implement. You can read all the marriage books, but if you don’t implement what you’ve learned, you have done nothing.
These marriage advice is very important if you are truly intentional about sustaining your marriage and becoming a better partner.
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