Everyone can understand how extramarital affairs can lead to divorce. It is also easy to see how an abusive spouse should be left. But what about the smaller things that can lead to divorce? What behaviors can be changed or altered that can keep your marriage alive and well?
A marriage is based on love, trust, and understanding between two people. It is still hard to remember when you are frustrated about your partner or other aspects of your life. Resist the urge to be negative when communicating with your spouse. Eye-rolling, sarcastic remarks, insults, and attempts to mock might seem like the way to make your point but they break down any marriage. Try to speak in reserved and neutral language so you can be supportive of your spouse while expressing your opinion.
A study has also shown the benefits of unrestrained smiling on marriage longevity. The study was conducted by DePauw University and examined how smiling can affect divorce rates. It revealed that women with less passionate smiles in childhood and college photographs were almost five times more likely to get a divorce than those whose smile is more effusive. A smile can make you feel happy, can give you a brighter outlook on your relationship, and can be contagious to your loved one as well.
Another behavior that should be avoided involves being selfless. While a selfish demeanor can mean you don’t care about your spouse, an altruistic outlook can feel like your spouse does not care about you. It is important to find a happy medium with your spouse where each person’s feelings are respected in order to avoid resentment. A power struggle is not ideal for a relationship that should be cooperative.
If you have tried everything you can think of and your relationship has not gotten any better, then there are other options. Filing for divorce will give you an opportunity to start over. Contact an experienced family law attorney in Wheaton who can answer your questions today.
