Making Marriage Work When It Feels Like a Chore

I shaved a small area on one of my legs when I was eleven years old. I told my mom that the razor accidentally fell on me because I wasn’t old enough to shave yet. Certainly, she made the purchase. The irony was not lost on me. She finally gave me permission to begin my dreaded personal hygiene ritual: shaving. No woman I know actually enjoys the process of shaving her legs.

Exactly how is shaving related to getting hitched? Keeping a marriage together isn’t always easy. There’s always more to do, and you may not always feel like doing it. This may seem like an odd comparison, but after giving it some thought, I came to the conclusion that the same things that make shaving our legs a good idea are also excellent for our marriage. The next time you go for your razor, consider these five strategies for making marriage less of a chore.

Don’t wait too long.

The lack of sunlight during the winter months may cause you to delay shaving your legs for an extra day or two (or seven). You’ll go through more razors faster if you put off shaving, and it’ll take longer when you do get around to it.

For a marriage to succeed, it’s important to have open communication about problems as soon as they arise. Waiting only makes finding a solution more difficult. Don’t shy away from a debate. It almost never goes away by itself.

Don’t rush.

Whether it’s for a pedicure or a doctor’s visit, we’ve all had that moment of panic when we realize we’ve forgotten to shave. You quickly dash to the restroom, prop your leg on the counter, drench yourself with water, and get to work. Result: skin irritation from the razor, small cuts, and missed areas.

Don’t try to cram a discussion about your marriage problem into the two minutes you have before bed or while the kids are brushing their teeth. It’s crucial to spend time on serious stories.

Focus on one thing at a time.

I use a specific method when shaving. My right leg is always the first to go through the motions before I switch to the left. You’re likely to miss something and wind up feeling discombobulated if you try to stretch your right ankle, knee, and shin all at once.

If you try to solve marital problems by bouncing around from money to child discipline to sex to the fact that he won’t put away his shoes, you won’t solve anything.

Use the right tools for you.

In the past, I was terrible about replacing dull razors. I dreaded having to buy razors because of how much they cost. Then I discovered a mail-order club where I could buy quality razors at a reasonable price. Now I know what to do!

Marriage is hard, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right tools. Counseling may be the best option for certain people. Some couples find that praying together strengthens their bond. Dates are a chance for some couples to talk to one another. Find

Don’t neglect the tough spots.

Do you recall a time when this occurred? You get in the car and notice five stray hairs on your knee. Gah! How? The delicate creases behind our knees, the bumps on our knees and ankles, and other similarly inaccessible areas are often overlooked.

We must face some unpleasant realities, including the fact that some things are better kept unsaid or hidden. They will continue to grow longer and longer hair until we can no longer ignore them.