A healthy marriage is not just a romantic bond, but a partnership where two people work together to build a fulfilling, supportive, and long-lasting relationship. It takes effort and commitment from both spouses to maintain a healthy marriage. Here's a checklist to help you navigate the ups and downs of marriage with your partner and set the foundation for a lasting union.
Daily Check-Ins
Daily check-ins are a great way to keep the communication open and to hear each other's thoughts and feelings. Here are some prompts for your daily check-ins:
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Did you share any highs, lows, challenges, and successes from your day?
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How did you appreciate your partner during your conversation?
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Did you express gratitude for your partner's specific actions or qualities?
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Did you celebrate something wonderful that happened with your partner today?
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Did you make time for at least one date night or couple time to focus on each other?
Weekly Check-Ins
Weekly check-ins provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the issues that matter most to your relationship. Use this checklist to guide your discussions:
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Love: How loved did you feel by your partner today?
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Intimacy: How strong was your emotional intimacy with your partner?
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Sexual Interaction: Did you experience enough sexual intimacy with your partner?
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Connection: Did you have an overall feeling of being on the same page with your partner?
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Communication: Did you communicate clearly as a couple today?
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Respect: Did you feel respected in your interactions with your partner?
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Teamwork: How did it feel to work as a team when planning and completing tasks?
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Nurturing: Did you feel cared for by your partner today?
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Happiness: How much joy and happiness did you experience together today?
Creating Your Weekly Checklist
When creating your weekly checklist, consider the nine key factors that contribute to a strong marriage. Weighting several factors at once can help you take an accurate pulse of your relationship. Here's a suggested framework for your check-in checklist:
1. Love
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Was your partner's actions consistent with your idea of love today?
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Did your partner show they deeply cared for you today?
2. Intimacy
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How strong were your emotional bonds and feelings of closeness?
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Did you both feel comfortable and intimate during your conversations?
3. Sexual Interaction
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Did you engage in sufficient sexual activity to meet your needs and desires?
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How did your partner's actions reflect their willingness to meet your sexual needs today?
4. Connection
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Did you find common ground and alignment on important issues?
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How did you feel when you were able to discuss your differences openly?
5. Communication
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Could you articulate your thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully during your conversation?
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Were you able to understand and empathize with each other's perspectives?
6. Respect
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Did your partner show they valued and respected your contributions and opinions today?
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How did you both feel when making decisions together?
7. Teamwork
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How did you support each other's goals and dreams today?
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Did you feel responsible and accountable to one another in your household?
8. Nurturing
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Did your partner show they were attentive and caring towards your emotional and physical well-being?
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Did they offer tangible forms of care and support throughout the week?
9. Happiness
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What contributed to your overall sense of happiness and contentment today?
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How did you celebrate your achievements and successes together?
##Maintaining a healthy marriage takes work and dedication from both spouses. By checking in daily and regularly, you can proactively address any issues and maintain a connection that is strong and fulfilling. Remember that your marriage is a journey, not a destination. Keep growing together and adapting to one another's changing needs and capacities. With consistent effort, your marriage can endure the test of time and celebrate many anniversaries to come.