Photography: Melissa Jill
You think you know your partner well? Think again. Most couples got surprised by their spouse not long after they tied the knot, no matter how long they have been dating before getting married. Simple things can be tolerable at first, but if you cannot conquer the differences, those little things might get bigger than you think.
Marriage is a life-changing experience. Someday, when the honeymoon stage is over, you will easily be tempted by the negative thoughts of living together with your partner. It's no longer a 'playhouse' when you start to feel annoyed by the dirty laundry that is scattered around the house, by the missing toothpaste cap, or even by his habits that is the complete opposite to yours. So how can you live peacefully and win back that honeymoon bliss you once had?
There is no exact formula to achieve a marital success, but communication is the important key to obtain it. Communication needs to include feelings, emotions, even dreams. Share your struggles with your spouse, talk it out. You need to solve problems as a team. Talk about what makes you happy and what annoys you. Ask him what you can do to make living together even more peaceful for him and tell him about what he can do to make living together peaceful for you. Through a good communication flow, you will learn to work out and even appreciate your differences, rather than passing judgments towards one another.
The next thing you would want to remember is to accept. When you think about it, there is really no need to sweat the small stuff. Sometimes all you need to do is to accept it. To accept one another's personality differences is an ongoing process within marriage. When you accept each other's flaws and strength, you will eliminate the need for continued anger.
The point is this: marriage is about dealing with personality differences. We should recognize that marriage is a relationship that comes with challenges and we should be committed to dispensing hope and encouragement. In a unique way, differences can add richness, depths and excitement to your marriage.
