What should I expect marriage to be like?

Question

I'm a single young woman who desires to be married. What should I expect from marriage? What are things I should work on now that will make my marriage strong?

Answer 1

Marriage is one of the most difficult things you will ever do, because it never ends. (Even after a divorce.) But marriage can be the greatest fun you can ever have.
Key traits you should have is good communication skills and LISTENING skills, patience, and being emotionally flexible.
The person you marry WILL change, but so will you. You need to be able to talk to your future spouse on tough topics that really get under your skin and hurts if that person doesn't agree with you- Yet never take it personally.
To "work on this" issue try volunteering at retirement / nursing homes, hospitals, homeless shelters, or mental health institutions and talk with the people there. By learning how to interact with people that are very different from you (maybe even a bit intimidating) you can learn how to keep your emotions in check during a conversation and then try to apply that 24/7 when married.

Don't worry about the sex part- that's the easiest part of marriage. Just never use it as a weapon- that's very childish and can destroy a marriage very quickly. This is why communication is so important so you can talk out your disagreements without it becoming a fight.

Answer 2

Well in some cases it is not much different then life itself a roller coaster but with advantages. Money to buy a nice home,
a faithful loving companion, tax breaks, being open to change, always express your feelings, be honest and truthful,
watch the amount of nagging you do. Read books on marriage, find God, read the bible, make your spouse the most important thing in your life never even bring up divorce unless you truly mean it. Get ready for rough times and good times. Keep family out of your personal arguments it never helps by running your mate through the rose bushes of in-laws. Talk, Talk, Talk.


Always remembering that communication is the most important aspect of any marriage or any relationship for that matter.

Get to know each other before jumping in the sac if they will wait until your married do that. Never be in a rush to become a mother. Planning children is one of the most important aspects of marriage. I believe most divorces end because one of the spouse's did not want kids right away and well something happens.


Marriage is what you make it never expect anything unless you work hard to make it happen. Really marriage is great but it is a lot of hardwork so if you cannot handle the work load then hold off until you think you can.

Answer 3

I'll make a good list to go by, leaving out the personality/looks trend.

1. Honesty. A relationship is built on trust first and foremost. Without it, jealousy and thoughts of paranoia can begin to rule you.
2. Putting the other before you (I guess this is the selflessness thing). If you can't put your man before you in certain situations...it won't work.
3. Comprimising. You will never agree 100% with your man, nor will he with you. Sometimes you must come half way on something. Just as he should do the same for you.
4. Realize that everything isn't going to be all "Bliss". You will have your ups and downs. Marry someone that has goals and works hard for them. Don't marry a man just for money. He could loose his job. (this one is for stay at home wives).
5. Personal space. Maybe this doesn't pertain to women...but i think it pertains to everyone imo. You and your man will need time for you. Hobbies. Friends. Just you time.
6. (Personal experience) Don't find a man that thinks you have to come up with all of the plans and vice versa. Someone thats always bored gets on your nerves.

Answer 4

Basically you get out of marriage what you put into marriage,
in that said it has to be a 2 way street you can't be the one doing everything in the marriage and your husband just goes thru the motion , and vise versa

Learn to live with TLC

Trust
Loyalty
Communication

you need all 3 for a successful marriage

Answer 5

Marriage like anything is not perfect. It's alot of give and take. What you do no longer just affects you but affects your new family. So when you do things you have to consider the other person. IT's alot of comprismise and communication. It's wonderful if you know the person you are marrying. What i mean by knowing them is you have shared time with them and understand them and you have similar opinions on your future.
Communication and understanding of other feelings are things we could all work on to improve a marriage.
Good luck.

Answer 6

You will find it wonderful for a few years but then unless you truly,truly still love him then you will be bored witless by the selfish so and so ,as i said if love is still there and in this day and age of equality it will be hard to find . Men hate an independent woman . I have been married to my man for 45 long and lately very boring years and if i could afford to live separately i would but as a pensioner we don't have the money to afford two places so good luck as i am sure you could be one of the lucky people and have a perfect marriage

Answer 7

Don't go in with expectations or preconceptions. Marriage between two people is an ever changing, fluid thing that has to be reassessed on a daily basis. You have to grow together and solve problems as they occur.

Answer 8

don't spend money and remain 100 percent faithful no matter what... also, you should expect alot from future hubby! make sure he knows before hand you won't tolerate any unfaithfulness! (this also means no texting, emailing, chatting with other women and/or exes!!! there is alot of this crap going on these days, don't let any man do this to you!!!) ... marraige is about 2 people, not 3 or 4 or 5... you are a team! if he plays around it's not gonna work, same w/ you... good luck! marraige is sacred!!!

Answer 9

You can work on being independent and strong. Try to figure out what you really want in life, what is most important to you and what your goals are. Then, when you find someone, you can make sure that what they want and their goals are in the same direction as yours. Many marriages fail because the people come to realize there are "irreconcileable differences" or they are "going in different directions" but if you already know what you want, you can make the decision about the other person before you get in too deep.

Answer 10

Being selfless, more than anything else.

Marriage is living for your spouse. If you are not prepared to do that, don't get married.