Birmingham, AL (PRWEB) January 2, 2006 – Marriage counseling expert Nancy
Wasson says, "A troubled marriage doesn’t mean you can’t have
a successful and satisfying 2006. The secret is having a plan in place, and then
sticking to it."
“It’s
not easy watching other couples have fun,” says Wasson. “They’re
going to New Year’s Eve parties and smooching at midnight – and
you’re mixed up in a marriage crisis.” Here is
Wasson’s 5-step strategy for claiming a good year,
even in the midst of an unhappy marriage.
• Start the
New Year with small changes that reap big rewards. Wasson
tells about one woman who broke the habit of watching the
10 o’clock news before going to bed. “All the
talk of crime and war depressed her. When she replaced the
news by reading motivational books she got more sleep and
woke up rested. This small change helped put her future in
focus,” says Wasson. “She could make sound decisions
about the direction of her marriage.”
• Don’t
put your life on hold. The New Year is about more than your
marriage. Make new friends. Spend more time with your children – they’re
growing up every day. See more of your parents – or
see less of them if the relationship is stressful. Pursue
a new hobby. Surprise yourself and others with the pleasure
that comes from learning new things and meeting new people.
• Tame your
inner critic in 2006. One university study showed that 90%
of the thoughts people have about themselves are negative.
Critical self-talk has a deep impact on marriage and every
other important relationship. Is it any surprise that others
start believing what you’re thinking about yourself?
Be gentle. Praise yourself often. Positive feelings show
through. They can even change the way your spouse treats
you.
• Prepare
for setbacks and obstacles. 2006 will not be the perfect
year for anyone – not even for those mythical few who
seem to have the perfect mate and the perfect home life.
The stress that comes with disappointment can create self-defeating
behaviors. The search for happiness is not a simple journey.
More often than not, it is five steps forward and three steps
back. The trick – with every stumble – is to
regroup and go forward again.
• Make your
unhappy marriage a platform for self-improvement. Over the
next twelve months, vow to live life with a positive outlook,
tempered with realistic expectations. Really listen to what
others are saying. Practice patience to curb anger.
Life is less than
ideal for couples experiencing marriage problems, says Wasson. “Keep
moving forward and do the best with what you have. Then you’ll
be in the best possible place for good things to happen – and
that could mean a happier marriage.”
Marriage counseling
expert Nancy Wasson, Ph.D., has been a Licensed Professional
Counselor for more than twenty years. She coaches couples
in unhappy marriages and provides immediate help through
the privacy of telephone and email consultations. Wasson
is the author of “Keep Your Marriage: What to Do When
Your Spouse Says ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore!’ ” She
offers a free weekly marriage tips newsletter at www.KeepYourMarriage.com.
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