"Am I Ready for Marriage?" - 7 Signs You Are
"Am I ready for marriage?" Once you start asking this question, you know you're in a serious relationship. Here are 7 signs you're ready to get married.
Marriage.
To some, this word conjures up images of a lifetime of love, commitment, and support.
To others, the word evokes only trepidation and ambivalence.
And for many like you, the idea of marriage is appealing but you are a little worried about making the wrong decision.
Even if you are terrified of getting married, that doesn't necessarily mean you're not ready for marriage. There are a lot of factors that enter into a relationship that can help you answer the question, "am I ready for marriage?"
Luckily, there are solid signs already in your relationship that can help you determine whether or not marriage is the right choice for you. So before you spend three months salary on a ring, read on.
Am I Ready For Marriage - Surprising Facts About Marriage No One Tells You
The problem with fairy tales is that the ending is always directly after the wedding. All you're left with is the knowledge that the couple, "lived happily ever after." But did they? Was Cinderella happy or did she have lingering mental health issues after being locked away by her Stepmother?
So before you get ready to pop the question, we thought you should know what marriage is really like.
i. Marriage promotes longevity
ii.Couples share the chores
iii. Divorce rates have fallen – the divorce rate is no longer 50% - in fact around only 30% of marriages fail to last at least 10 years.
Excited by the promising news that marriage can actually be way better than you previously thought? Here are 7 signs that answer the question, "am I ready for marriage?"
1. You like yourself
Not just because you're a part of a dynamic duo. You just think that on your own, you're great.
You also:
i. Know who you are
ii. Won't feel you're "missing out" on anything by getting married
iii. Have a full life without your partner
Loving yourself wholly and completely is the first step toward ensuring a strong and long-lasting marriage. You have to know, like, and trust yourself first. You also have to be happy with your life first.
2. You know what traits you want in a partner
Finding a life partner whom you love, trust, and cherish isn't as easy as throwing a dart at a board and hoping for the best. It's important you know what traits you're looking for in a spouse.
Here are some traits that help ensure a long marriage:
i. Patience
ii. Loyalty
iii. Sharing a common purpose
iv. Having fun together
It's helpful to make a list of traits you think are essential in a potential mate. It will make it easier to decide if your current partner adequately fits the bill!
3. When you think of the future, your partner is a part of your life
Am I ready for marriage? To answer that question, it's time to look into the future.
Do you see your current partner in your life with you? Do you feel happy and excited when you think of a future together with your partner?
I'm not talking about whether or not you see them joining you at your cousin's wedding in 6 months, I'm talking 5 years down the road when kids, career, and a full life is happening.
If you can picture them in your future and it still seems great, you're probably ready.
4. Boring has become fun
In every relationship, things start to settle down. In the beginning, it's fun to go places, but after a while, the mundane sets in.
So ask yourself, am I ready for marriage even when things get a little dull? Do I enjoy being around my partner during the more quiet times?
5. You bring out the best in one another
A healthy relationship means one where two people come together and are stronger as a result of it. A healthy, long lasting relationship means you totally support one another. No matter what.
Which means that when things get tough, you don't:
i. Say things to each other you later regret
ii. Have to win every argument
iii. Fight dirty
iv. Secretly feel you could do better
6. You two trust one another
"Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters." --Albert Einstein
Trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship. Without trust, there is no relationship.
So before you get married, make sure that you trust your mate and most importantly, make sure you trust yourself.
Here's how to tell if someone is trustworthy:
i. They're reliable - even with the little things
ii. They have self-control
iii. They are okay with making compromises
iv. Their actions speak for themselves
v. They trust others - untrustworthy people meanwhile, constantly complain that they can't trust others or are suspicious of others
7. You and your partner communicate well together
While trust is hugely important, good communication is also extremely vital to a successful and healthy marriage.
In fact, if you can't even ask your partner, "am I ready for marriage" or even more importantly, "are we ready for marriage" then you're definitely not ready.
Luckily, learning how to communicate is a skill everyone can get better at, especially when relationships get complicated.
Here are some of our favorite communication tips for a more successful relationship.
i. No subjects are ever off limits - To have good communication, all subjects must be discussed, no matter how difficult they are.
ii. Get to the point - Nothing good was ever accomplished by beating around the bush. Say what you need to and then move on.
iii. No one is a mind reader - No matter how long you've been together, say it out loud to your partner.
iv. Listen - A huge part of communication is simply shutting up and actively listening to your partner.
"Am I Ready for Marriage?" - Signs You're NOT
Not everyone is ready for marriage. Here are a few signs you're just not ready.
i. You think getting married will "fix" what's wrong with your life. It will probably only make your struggles worse.
ii. You think "it's time" because you've reached a certain age. Marriage occurs when it's the right time, not because you're the right age.
iii. You're dating other people or at least thinking about it. If you aren't 100% sure that you're ready to make a commitment to one person, then you're not ready.
Whether you're ready for marriage or are just ready to get back out there and meet a potential mate, we're all about love.
Conclusion
Figuring out if you're primed for the big 'M' isn't just about getting butterflies when you think about a walk down the aisle. It's about real, tangible signs that you and your relationship are on solid ground.
So, if you're nodding along to the big seven here – self-love, knowing what you want in a partner, picturing a future together, enjoying the simple moments, elevating each other, trusting one another, and communicating like pros – you're likely in a good place. These aren't just feel-good factors; they're the bedrock of a marriage that's built to last.
But don't ignore those warning signs either. If you're eyeing marriage as a quick fix, feeling the tick-tock of societal clocks, or still swiping right on the dating scene, take a moment to pause. Marriage isn't about just any moment; it's about the right moment.
Remember, whether you're gearing up to pop the question or still sifting through potential Mr. or Mrs. Rights, it's all about love. Real, deep, and ready-for-anything love. So, are you ready for marriage? Only you can truly answer that, but armed with these insights, you're definitely closer to knowing.