15 Priceless Pieces of Marriage Advice You Only Realize After You’ve Been Married

By Laura Lifshitz

Updated on 11/26/2016 at 4:05 PM

StockSnap | Drew Coffman

StockSnap | Drew Coffman

Everyone thinks he or she has some idea of what marriage is supposed to be like, but until you're in the trenches and sharing living space with someone 24/7, you realize you actually knew nothing! Marriage isn't supposed to be a grind, but it is an act of careful and nuanced work and care. Each day, you've got to choose to be with your partner and make that commitment time and again. For those of you newly wed or about to say "I do," take these 15 pieces of advice to heart. They'll serve you well.

01

Extend the olive branch. Is the fight really worth it? — StockSnap | Alexandre Chambon

Extend the olive branch. Is the fight really worth it?

02

With the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to forget how you felt that first day married. — StockSnap | Drew Coffman

With the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to forget how you felt that first day married.

03

Never go to bed angry. — Stock Snap | Denis Gavrilenco

Never go to bed angry.

04

Whisper how you feel and make those things sweet. — StockSnap | Denis Gavrilenco

Whisper how you feel and make those things sweet.

05

A lazy breakfast in is sometimes just what the love doctor orders. — StockSnap | Anastasia Zhenina

A lazy breakfast in is sometimes just what the love doctor orders.

06

A kiss goodbye each day means you still have a spouse to return home to. — StockSnap | Nathan Walker

A kiss goodbye each day means you still have a spouse to return home to.

07

Be all ears — listening is an act of love. — Stock Snap | Ryan McGuire

Be all ears — listening is an act of love.

08

Watch what you say. Words can never be unspoken. Harsh words tear at our partner's esteem. — StockSnap | Lisa Davies

Watch what you say. Words can never be unspoken. Harsh words tear at our partner's esteem.

09

There's no prize for who won the fight. — StockSnap | Ryan McGuire

There's no prize for who won the fight.

10

We all need to be alone sometimes in order to be a part of a solid couple. — StockSnap | Cameron Kirby

We all need to be alone sometimes in order to be a part of a solid couple.

11

When an issue rears its head, take time to unravel the problem without being hasty. — StockSnap | Anastasia Zhenina

When an issue rears its head, take time to unravel the problem without being hasty.

12

Celebrate each other's victories. — StockSnap | Anthony Delanoix

Celebrate each other's victories.

13

And lift each other up when the other is low. — StockSnap | Redd Angelo

And lift each other up when the other is low.

14

Consider the other person's perspective, as we all see things differently. — StockSnap | Octavio Fossatti

Consider the other person's perspective, as we all see things differently.

15

Romance won't happen on its own. Make time for it. — StockSnap | Josh Willink

Romance won't happen on its own. Make time for it.