Love maybe be blind but marriage is the real eye-opener. Marriage is not quite a bed of roses, but neither is it a carpet of thorns. Love and companionship in a marriage is more about affection, selflessness and gratitude, and letting go. If those qualities are not a part of a relationship, then it time to reconsider your steps. And we don’t mean calling it quits. Marriage comes with a lot of other responsibilities as well. But if things are not going the way they should, we should take a step back and analyse what the missing pieces in the puzzle are and work on the big picture accordingly. These 5 steps will help you strengthen your bond as a couple and re-kindle the marriage in your married life if you are already married and give you lessons for a lifetime if you are planning to tie the knot.

1. Love is not to be tested

If you love someone you never make them walk through fire, do you? Testing someone’s love is just like that. In a way it is a reflection of one’s own fears and insecurities. Remember, love is not for the faint-hearted. Have unconditional trust in your significant other, the strength of the relationship, and most importantly yourself. This will prepare you to invest your energies in a healthy relationship. If you are single, we totally relate to the fact that opening up to the idea of sharing your life with someone might be scary, but isn’t what makes the journey of life rewarding?

Forever and for always

2. Room to breathe and love

Every relationship needs time and personal space to bloom. Remind your yourself to give your partner that breathing space. Do not let feelings like over-possessiveness, jealousy or even curiosity override your basic sense of judgement. More importantly, if you are a woman, keep alive your interests, hobbies, spend time with friends and also some have some me-time. The idea of my-whole-world-revolves-around-my-hubby will only lead to disappointment. There is always plenty of room for romantic love.

You me aur hum

3. Marriage is not “for giving up”, but ‘forgiving’

The first few months of marriage can be fairly challenging. Especially when it comes to arranged marriages when the partner is chosen by the family, and the girl has to accept her husband with all his “goods and bads”. It is important that not only the woman but also the man must learn to accept their own shortcomings first. Thus, it would become easier for you as a couple to accept your better half and realise that people are not perfect, and that rather than giving up, letting go of certain things is the key to happiness.

Forgive and Forget and Love

 

4. Write your own fairy tale

“Mr. Tall, Dark, Handsome will ride into my life, strumming his guitar and descend his white horse….and then… happily ever after” …. tring tring, its time to wake up and smell the coffee girl! Do not try to model your life after Cinderella or Rapunzel. Real love and marriage is far more complicated and comes in all different forms. But it is not difficult to write your own fairy tale, once you have leant about the keys to a happy relationship.

Marriage: More than the Ishq wala love

Secrets to a happy, healthy and long married life is the best gift you can give your married self or your soon-to-be-married avatar today. So, go ahead and make your life more beautiful and fulfilled. Happy Married Life.