10 Ways To Know Your Spouse Better

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Marital advice columnists talk regularly about keeping the 'romance going' and making sure the 'spark is alive'. Sure, date nights bring partners closer, but very few people realise that taking the effort to know your spouse better, can ensure longevity in a relationship. Once the honeymoon is over, it is this knowledge and appreciation that gets you over the rough patches.

For every marriage that makes it, there are a dozen that don’t. Take Kim Kardashian’s marriage to Kris Humphries, which lasted just over two months, or even the tempestuous relationship of Liz Taylor and Richard Burton, who married, and divorced not once, but twice!

BEDROOM HABITS THAT ANNOY YOUR SPOUSE

So, if getting to know your spouse better can make a difference to your relationship, then why is it that so few of us takes the effort? Looking beyond what marital advice experts say, what can we do to understand our partner better? Here are some suggestions, some serious, some fun and light-hearted:

Initiate conversation

Yes, this is the mother of all cliches when it comes to marital advice, but it works. The easiest way to know your spouse well is to talk or ask questions. Conversations reveal your spouse's views, attitude, and helps you evaluate if you are on the same page.

Discuss goals

It is obvious that all will have something to do and achieve apart from the family life. You should clearly know the aim and goal of your partner's life.

Share a passion

Be imaginative, and think beyond going to the movies together. It could be salsa dance. It could be building a gigantic jigsaw puzzle together. In any case, a shared passion will help you know your spouse better.

Share childhood memories

Many clues to our behaviour are locked in our childhood. How we were raised, who we interacted with, how many friends we had, how we did in school! Ask your spouse about their childhood. You'll get a better sense of who they are.

Understand your differences

Sometimes, you and your spouse have to agree to disagree while dealing with problems that are difficult to solve. Remember that there is no winning or losing in a relationship.

Know your spouse’s work

No, you don't have to take a degree in neurosurgery to match your better half who is into medical profession, or learn to write code to bond with your geeky partner. Know what their role involves, and what challenges they face.

Travel

There's nothing quite like being thrown together in a strange place. The shared experience will give you memories to cherish, and you'll grow together as a couple.

Cook a special meal for each other

Valuable insights to know your spouse better! What better way to know and understand each others' tastes than to try something new in the kitchen?

Watch your spouse play sport

Competitive situations reveal a lot about a person. Watching them playing sports will let you know how they perform under pressure, how gracious they are in victory and loss, and how much winning means to them.

Be transparent

Have an open and transparent contact with your partner. This will let you know your spouse better, and sure, they will return the favour. Make sure you have a basic understanding about living together.