5 Ways to Evolve Gracefully with Your Spouse

My husband and I have been married for 6 years. In those 6 years, he has been a travel agent, State Farm insurance agent and now a farmer. My career as a School Counselor hasn’t changed, however I’ve become a mother twice, and that is an evolution in itself.

I’ve heard many people who struggle in their marriages talk about how they’ve just grown apart. The truth of the matter is that we continue to grow and change as people. Life changes us as we weather different seasons. In marriage, we should be growing together through those seasons. Marriage should be a verb because growing together takes work. It takes work to embrace the person you love as they continue to evolve. Here are 5 ways to evolve gracefully with your spouse:

1. Embrace the change. We can’t change anyone, no matter how hard we try. Not even our spouse! For example, when my husband first shared his love of horticulture I wasn’t entirely thrilled. In fact, I sometimes loathed his then hobby because I felt like it took time away from the family. As my husband searched for employment after his father became too ill to work  (dementia) as a long time State Farm agent, it became clear to me that his hobby was evolving into a career. When I embraced his love of horticulture, I began to notice a different side of him had awakened.

2. Examine ourselves to see how we’ve changed. It’s really easy to point the finger at our spouse. It’s easy to blame them for why things aren’t the same in our marriage. Have we ever stopped to think that we have changed too? I’ve noticed that my patience level is not as high with my husband since becoming a parent. Justin knows when I’m tired, I’ll probably be moody. I’ve learned to communicate to him when I’m tired, so he doesn’t get frustrated when I’m moody. I’ve evolved from a married woman into a mother.This line of communication has been a work in progress, which leads me to #3.

3. Open the door for communication. Maybe you’re so frustrated that you don’t want to talk. They aren’t the person you once knew. How can you begin to work on your relationship if you don’t want to talk? Communication requires that both parties agree to do the work, not that you’ll always be on the same page.

4. Support your spouse. Before my husband and I got married, we went through premarital counseling (which I highly suggest to those of you who aren’t married) and we took a quiz ranking each others needs. Words of affirmation was high on his list, however it was low on mine. Realizing that this is  a need for my husband, I need to seek out ways to show him I support him, even if I don’t always understand. My husband has a green thumb, and I do not. However, to support his dream, I will help feed some animals. Who would’ve thought, I’d be a farmer’s wife?

5. And last but certainly not least….Encourage your spouse. Who doesn’t like to hear a word of encouragement? You should be your spouse’s biggest cheerleader. Even though coworkers and family members may give encouragement, I can guarantee that they would much rather hear it from you. Giving your spouse words of encouragement can protect your marriage as well. They won’t be seeking approval and appraisal from other praises if they get it at home.

Marriage is hard, but the benefits definitely outweigh the negative. As your marriage evolves, what have you found makes this work? I can’t wait to hear from you! Follow me on Instagram (arethoseyourkids) as I document my evolution into a farmer’s wife!