Another day another viral marriage post that comes across my keyboard, this one courtesy of a friend who just needed to share Buzzfeed's “15 Long-Term Relationship Hacks” post from a little over a year ago.

At first a post touting relationship “hacks” seemed suspicious. But after reading the subtitle and list of “hacks,” it's clear that the title was just effective copywriting.

The list has some pretty creative ideas to help solve some of the more common day-to-day relationship issues that can cause turmoil and tips on living a happy life with your happy wife!

Here are a my 7 favorite “Relationship Hacks” from the post. Be sure to check out the other 8 in the original Buzzfeed post.  

If I've learned anything since starting this journey, it's that it's super important to be conscious and intentional about things like these and continue to read, listen to, and discuss ways to continually improve as a spouse.

OK.  Let's dig in:

1. Talk about the good stuff first.

When you get home from work, the first thing each of you talk about is the best thing that happened to each of you that day. It doesn't matter what it is. Just start with the best thing that happened. Start positive, no matter how frustrating your day was. Brilliant.

2. Use gift-giving occasions as an opportunity to encourage your partner to try something new.

This is pretty awesome. Instead of another sweater or manicure, use holidays and birthdays to buy your partner things like classes, tools, instruments, and other things that will help them broaden their horizons and let them know you believe in them.  I suggest adding a nice note of encouragement to it and consider making it a gift for two, too.

3. Prove yourself wrong sometimes

Freely admit that you were wrong when you are wrong.  HINT: You're often wrong.  You’ll find that it’s actually freeing for you and your spouse will appreciate it and start taking after your example. Yep. This whole blog is about me being wrong… 🙂

4. Don’t gloat when you’re right.

Just as important as admitting when you're wrong is being graceful when you're right. Gloating when you're right is divisive. And gloating about being right is a surefire way to end up “wrong” even when you technically started out right…

5. If you agree to let something go and move on, LET IT GO AND MOVE ON.

This is a HUGE trust issue. And it's important for your mind, too.  (BONUS: Most things should be let go. Not everything is about the “principle.”).

6. Take breaking up off the table when you’re fighting.

This takes arguments to a whole other level. Your goal should be to de-escalate an argument. Turn it into a “discussion.” And never, ever mention breaking up in a fight. If you are going to break up with someone, that's a separate discussion and doesn't belong in the heat of an argument.

7. Collaborate on a long list of things you’ve always wanted to do in your own city

Take that list and choose one for each date night. (Also be sure to designate a date night.).  I'm a big fan of batching activities like writing, recording, working, etc. It gets your juices flowing and allows you to be way more productive and “in the zone” with each activity.  This is like batching date night ideas and can be fun to cross things off the list.  Maybe even take 6 or 8 ideas each date night, write them on post-it notes and put the notes on a board game spinner to choose that week's date night activity… 🙂

Relationship Hacks?

Who knows. I still think just creative copywriting. But I'm glad it caught my friend's attention because it put some cool tips on my screen.

Do you have any creative tips to add to the list?  Let me know in the comments or e-mail me at Nick@ATerribleHusband.com.  

I'd love to hear from you!