You’ve probably heard the saying, “It takes two to tango”. Maybe you’ve applied that mindset to addressing problems in your marriage.
Yes, it is ideal if both of you are willing to sit down and tackle any issues together. That’s the definition of teamwork. And in good marriages this is what happens.
But what if you’re struggling and can’t resolve the problems?
Maybe you’ve asked your partner to go with you to get some help and they’ve said “no”.
That doesn’t mean all is lost.
The truth is that you can make big changes in your marriage all by yourself.
I happened to get lucky when I was just starting out as a Marriage and Family Therapist. At a national conference, I walked into my colleague Michele Weiner-Davis’ presentation It Takes One to Tango. This is where I learned that having both partners seeking help for their marriage isn’t necessary.
Let me say that again. Having both partners seeking help for their marriage isn’t necessary.
Bad Marriage Advice #9: Marriage is 50/50
Marriage is 50/50. You do your half. She does hers. And together you’ll get a complete marriage. Sounds good right? Except it doesn’t really work that way. Instead of getting a 100% marriage, you’ll end up with a partial one where neither of you is fully living up to...
Bad Marriage Advice #8: Marriage Requires Sacrifice
What do you think of when you hear the word “sacrifice”? Does it sound easy or difficult? And should it be a required part of marriage? Not in my book. Because marriage is not a deity or supernatural blob that needs to be appeased. Sacrifice is defined by Merriam...
Bad Marriage Advice #7 – Marriage Requires Compromise
You’ve heard it—marriage requires compromise. You know the drill. You give up something, she gives up something and you meet somewhere in the middle. Sounds good in theory doesn’t it. But in practice, not so much. Yes, you need to reach decisions about things. Though...
You can make huge differences in your marriage on your own. Learning what makes a relationship healthy, understanding your part in the unproductive patterns you and your spouse replay, and implementing effective change is the powerful answer you need.
In the time you’ve taken to try to get your partner to go with you to get help, things have probably gotten worse.
The amount of hurt, frustration, and resentment you feel increases with each failed conversation.
And the longer you wait to seek help, the worse the problems—and how you feel about them—will get.
I get it. Why should you have to get help alone when the issues are created by both of you?
The answer? It depends on what you want.
If you want a better marriage and can get it by making changes on your own, is it worth it to take the first step.
Because when you change your part in the pattern, your spouse can’t keep doing their part. And that’s the key to turning things around.
You start and your partner will follow.
Finding out the best way to make these changes is where a professional comes in. They will provide you with the knowledge and support you need so you won’t be doing it alone. It just won’t be with the person you thought you needed.
If you don’t want to waste one more day spinning your wheels, I invite you to schedule a 5-Star Relationship Consultation today and find out what’s possible.
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BAD MARRIAGE ADVICE #21: COUNSELING WON’T WORK IF YOUR PARTNER WON’T GO
A lot of people don’t seek help for their marriage because their partner won’t go. But learning what makes relationships work AND changing what you’re doing, the marriage will change. If you think there is a problem with the marriage, there is. So don’t wait until your partner is on board to address it.
