When you got married, you likely thought the ways in which your spouse was different from you were attractive, interesting or endearing. Enter marriage and many of those difference can become annoying, irritating and downright painful. Here’s a few thoughts that will help you embrace your differences and make them work for you and your marriage!

Do you ever find yourself saying and doing things in the heat of conflict that you regret? It can be super helpful to determine, in advance, what the “rules of engagement” will be for you as a couple—what are the guiding principles you will always strive to live by when it comes to conflict. No matter what, you won’t cross these lines. Here are a few ideas to help guide you as you consider your “No matter what’s.”

Do you sometimes assume you know why your mate is doing something or what they’re thinking? We often jump to negative conclusions and we take quite a bit of pride in the accuracy of our conclusions. When we consistently misread our mate’s intentions or thoughts, it creates frustration, hopelessness and rebellion in our partner. It also makes it impossible to resolve anything constructively. Here are a few tips to help you avoid assuming.