How to Like Your Husband

#31-Sometimes, when life calls, we will be separated from our spouses for an extended amount of time. They leave, and we are at home with the kids, dealing with life, which can sometimes lead to feelings of resentment and disconnect. Today we are talking to Andrea Jones, a seasoned military member and military spouse, who is all too familiar with reconnecting after stressful separations. She’s here to give you tips on how to keep the spark alive and really communicate with your man!Show Notes

#30-Does having clutter in your house also cause clutter in your mind? That’s a big yes from me! Today, we’re chatting with Krista from Motherhood Simplified, and we’re discussing all things clutter when it comes to our marriages! Sometimes, when you simplify your home and schedule, it will directly translate to how much time you spend with your family and your spouse! Either way, when you clear out your space, it will help clear your mind! Show Notes Here

#29-We’ve all heard the buzz word “self-care” that often feels more stressful than relaxing! We don’t want to add yet another task to our to-do lists, so that phrase tends to make us feel bad. Irene, from Thrive Motherhood will explain how to work self-care into our daily routine that we already have! It’s those 5-minutes here and there that will keep us feeling good, energized, and more engaged in our marriage!Show Notes Here

Bonus: Intimacy can really be a hard subject to discuss, which is why it’s so important that we discuss it! In our marriage, and specifically, right now, intimacy probably looks different for both you and your husband. Your needs are different, your communication style is likely different, and your expectations are different. So we need to learn to bridge that gap so both you and your man get what you need from your marriage.

#28 - Stress surrounding meal times is nothing new for families. You or your man spend countless hours in the kitchen, not sure what to make, searching for ingredients, and then when you finally finish your masterpiece, your kids aren’t interested in eating it. We don’t tend to notice the amount of energy our food requires, which can put a strain on our relationships in general. On today’s episode, we are going to chat about new strategies to use when it comes to meal prep and getting our kids (and husbands) to get on board!Show Notes

#27 - We all know how vastly relationships can fluctuate! One day you want to jump on your husband and find him hilarious, and the very next day you could want to jump on your husband and take him out! That’s normal! We just need ways to acknowledge that it’s ok to not always be ok! In this episode, I will let you in on my life and how things are far from perfect. It’s about communication, showing grace and letting go! Are you ready for it?Show Notes

#026 - Have you ever been in a situation where you really wish you wouldn’t have jumped to your old habits, that ultimately led things to escalate? On today’s episode, I am chatting with Charli Brown who is the queen of de-escalation. We can not only use these techniques with our husband’s to facilitate better communication, but we can also use the tips when talking to our kids, family members, and strangers.Show Notes Here

#025 - Having date night at home has always been an option, but now it’s our ONLY option! Today, I’m talking to Amberley Lambertsen of A Prioritized Marriage, who is giving us all her date night tips when it comes to getting through this period of stay home. It’s essential that we remain on a united front with our spouse so we can not only prioritize our marriage but thrive through a really difficult time!Link to Episode.

#024 - Money is typically a point of contention in most marriages. In fact, it can oftentimes lead to divorce! And sometimes, your spouse isn’t on board for creating the change in your finances that you need to survive and thrive. Nicole Rule, of Greatest Worth, is here to share all of her tips on taking ownership of your finances and how to effectively communicate those with your spouse. No arguing and no getting defensive! Money habits are hard to break, but with some intentional self-awareness practices, you can make big changes that can save you a lot of heartache AND money. https://www.greatestworth.com/ebb-waitlisthttps://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-create-a-budget-when-your-husband-doesnt-want-to-with-nicole-rule/

#023 - Putting yourself in your man’s shoes is more important now than ever. During this difficult time in history, we are being forced to really examine our relationships and how we cope with stress as a couple. In today’s episode, I interview my husband Mike, and we talk about ways we are dealing with overwhelming stress by focusing on positive habits, communication, and connection. Now is a time we need more compassion and understanding! We are all in this together, friends!

#22 - Creating the dream marriage you’ve always wanted takes a LOT of work and is absolutely possible! In this episode, I talk about all the ways I prioritize my marriage so I then have more time for my work! When you are intentional about how you spend your time, and on what (hint, hint, your man), everything starts to improve and expand. Remember, ladies, you’re on the same team as your husband, and we need to remember that even when we don’t like them very much!LINK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thefempireteam/Website: FempireMedia.comInstagram: @FempireMedia or @LifeWithShelby

#21 - Suburban Warrior, Crissy Pyfer, joins us on today’s podcast to chat all about how to level up your life and marriage with a warrior mindset. As women (and mothers), we always try to do it all! But sometimes, prioritizing yourself is the best gift you can give your husband and your children! Shifting your mindset and perspective drives happiness, and when you do both, communication in your marriage can thrive! So buckle up for this amazing dose of fun and enlightenment!Instagram @_suburban_warriorFB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/suburbanwarriorlife/Coaching Services offered can be found at https://www.crissypyfer.com

#20 - Vulnerability is such a hot topic and one that most people struggle with in their intimate relationships. But what happens when we start to let those walls down within our marriage? Well, friends, it breeds connection, intimacy and compassion. When we truly know and can share our biggest fears, our partners can better understand and connect with us! So let’s tackle this topic and get you on track to a healthier marriage, shall we?

#19 - Sometimes we don’t really know what we expect or want from our marriages! Do we want a best friend, soul mate, co-parent, etc? Having those labels can sometimes affect we manage our relationships. In this case, defining our marriage in these terms can help temper our expectations. We can go to our best friends for a certain type of support, and then turn to our husband for other types! While we absolutely want friendship at the heart of our marriage, sometimes figuring out who are husbands are to us can be key to improving our relationships!

#18 - Have you realized yet that date nights will look different now that you’re married versus actually dating? We tend to have these expectations that date nights are supposed to mimic the ones we had when we were first getting to know each other! But what about now that we are married? Well, we need to shift our mindsets! In this episode, I will tell you about how to shift that mindset and get excited again and how to start dating again after years of just going through the motions. It’s not as scary as you think! I will give you tangible ways to get back on track and get excited about date night with your husband!

#17: As we all know, life after children means a LOT of changes. One thing that often gets put on the back burner of life is our marriage. We easily settle into a routine, “divide and conquer,” and before we know it, we have started finding comfort and connection in our friends, kids and others around us. When that happens, we suddenly find ourselves being married to a stranger. Today, Dana and Rachel chat about how to avoid that “rut,” and get back to connecting!

#16: Have you ever sat there and wondered if it was actually worth putting in the effort to save your marriage? Maybe you’re just exhausted because what you’ve been doing just isn’t working. But all is NOT lost! There are ways to define your priorities and strategically get your marriage on track with manageable effort. The reality is that we DO have the time, we just need to make friendship, respect, and passion the forefront of our relationships. Are you ready?

#15 - Sometimes we get so excited about Valentine’s day that we end up with unfulfilled expectations, and those aren’t so fun! So today we’re going to chat about how to let go of past Valentine’s day blunders, and find ways to connect with your man that leave you happy and satisfied! Often times we just need to ask ourselves what we want and then communicate those wishes! It’s not as hard as you think, so get down to business, sister! I’ll teach you how!

#014 - You’ve probably been there. Your husband does something that sends you through the roof (and you seriously wonder how he survived before meeting you). Sometimes those thoughts become more frequent and more serious, shrouded by a little bit of anger. Add it all together, and BAM, you get bitterness and full blown resentment. It’s no wonder you can’t connect (or have the desire for sex) when you are feeling misunderstood and upset. So in today’s episode we will talk about how to reframe those thoughts so you approach your man with understanding. Side note, this is NOT about changing your man, this is about changing your thoughts.

#013. You already know this obviously, but you and your husband are two independent human beings with, in all likelihood, very different goals. It’s NORMAL! The challenge is getting on the same page about those goals and encourage one another to be the highest versions of yourselves (because that’s pretty dang hot). First, you need to get down to business and discuss what your goals are! (Sometimes we miss the easiest step!) Once you outline your goals (along with your non-negotiables), you’ll be ready to tackle the plan of how to encourage and support each other on your different (but similar) paths! https://mrsrachelballard.com/what-to-do-when-you-and-your-husband-have-different-goals/

#12 - Sometimes when life is literally flying by, the first thing we tend to neglect is our marriage. It’s a given, right? Well, not really. We need to actively work on our relationships in order to make sure they are solid and thriving! We can’t get lazy, ladies. We NEED to make the time! In this episode, I’ll dish four ways to not let burnout affect our minds (or our marriage)!https://mrsrachelballard.com/what-to-do-when-burnout-affects-your-marriage/

#011 - We all know that we can improve our marriages, but sometimes we just don’t know where the heck to start. In this episode, you’ll dive into THREE easy ways to transform your marriage (that does NOT need active participation from your husband)! Score! You’ll learn how to gauge exactly where you are RIGHT now, and how to set your temperature reading, which will give you a way to consistently check-in with your feelings! We’re on the way to creating the highest version of you! Wooohooo!https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-start-changing-your-marriage/

#10 - Most people wait until the start of the new year to pick one thing to tick off their list of things to accomplish. But how many people actually do hard things, or multiple hard things, AT THE SAME TIME? In today’s episode, we talk about sitting down with your man and making a list of things to take on for 2020. First of which, is picking a word that will represent the year! That word will remind and propel you to continue towards major growth and happiness! Discuss, make a plan, and execute! And I have tips for how to do just that!https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-were-making-and-keeping-our-2020-new-years-resolutions/

#009 - The holidays, and specifically Christmas, can get a *tad stressful (and by a tad, I mean, it’s ALWAYS stressful). There tend to be unmet expectations, that lead to arguments and resentment. But what if you could bypass all of that passive-aggressiveness and actually have a stress-free holiday season? I’m guessing you’d be open to that possibility! In this episode, I will dive into four ways to keep everything running smoothly during Christmas, and may actually help you connect in the bedroom after everyone goes home for the night! Are you ready for it?https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-not-resent-your-husband-on-christmas/

#008 - Are you ever just going through the motions and feel like there is more to life? It’s SO easy to just exist! We need to be MORE, and that takes some work. That work can include setting up new habits, actively making the choice DAILY to push yourself, choosing to do something hard or uncomfortable consistently, going outside, exploring, and making the decision to keeping growing! Finding what makes you come to life is key to getting out of the rut and discovering ways to spice up your life! https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-to-avoid-going-through-the-motions/

#007 - When Mike and I started sitting down to set a calendar for the week, things became SIGNIFICANTLY less stressful. This can include extra curricular pick up all the way to scheduling time in the bedroom (the most important event on my calendar)! When the week is outlined and discussed prior to all the inevitable stress that will pop up, you can come from a place of calm, knowing you can manage your schedule with your husband. Why? Because surprises and a lack of communication leads to STRESS and those darn arguments that leave both people angry and frustrated. I’m here to share all my tips for making sure your schedule (and your marriage), run smoothly!https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-your-calendar-can-save-your-marriage/

#006 - Most of us, sitting at the altar, ready to marry our best friend, probably didn’t realize marriage would be such a challenge. I mean, we know intellectually, but when those hard things hit, it’s TOUGH. But actively choosing hard things to do daily will build that muscle and help you grow your confidence, both individually and together.The truth is, we all grow at different speeds, and many times, we won’t be on the same page as our spouse (and giving grace for that is key). We’re a team, right! And with that group effort, also comes a need for awareness and patience. Choosing personal happiness and realizing we can’t “fix” our husbands is actually the fastest way to impact them (and our marriage) in a healthy and positive way. https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-like-your-husband-even-when-hes-not-likable/

#005 - We’ve all been there. Just anticipating the holiday festivities can be enough to send your marriage into a tailspin. But instead of going full force into that blackhole of holiday death (which in and of itself can lead straight to an expedited divorce), why not take a minute to breathe and set your intentions? When we lower expectations, actively choose happiness, and accept help when we need it, the holidays can really be an event to look forward to! https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-keep-your-marriage-strong-during-the-holidays/

#004 - People assume that confidence is something you’re born with, and something that will transfer into your marriage as well. You know those people that saunter into a room and seem to own it immediately? While some people grew up in an environment that fostered courage and confidence, most of us did NOT. And when two people get married with a lack of confidence, that could be a recipe for divorce. Confidence is something that you need to work on and cultivate on a daily basis, just like eating right, exercising, and getting proficient at any craft. This episode focuses on the little micro-adjustments in your mind that make up the macro changes in your heart! Let’s get your marriage back on track and get YOU feeling more self-assured! https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-be-more-confident/

#003 - The truth is, we don’t always have to communicate verbally to change our marriage. What’s hard to admit in any relationship, is that when things aren’t working, we can only change ourselves. It’s about learning to see those challenges coming, and then implementing techniques to communicate more effectively before things blow up! The ways that we can really start to change our marriage is to take personal responsibility for having more sex, being positive, touching your man, appreciating what he does for you, and creating a routine. With these five simple acts (of kindness, you may say) you can transform how YOU show up in your relationship. When you start to change and connect, so will he. https://mrsrachelballard.com/how-to-improve-your-marriage-without-talking-about-it/

#002 - Marriage is hard. But marriage is way harder when you don’t take any personal responsibility for what’s not working. In today’s episode, we are covering the 5 questions you need to ask yourself about your marriage. Are they tough questions? Yep. But they are there to help to look at yourself because the ONLY person you can change, is you. This is all about perspective, letting go, and being willing to be vulnerable with yourself and your spouse. Once you dive into the five questions, you’ll understand where you can make micro changes that will impact your relationship in MAJOR ways.https://mrsrachelballard.com/5-questions-to-ask-yourself-about-your-marriage/

#001 - Girl are you ever in the right place! My name is Rachel Ballard and I'm here to kick off the How to Like Your Husband Podcast where we will answer all the big marriage questions between loads of laundry, carpool, and dinner. In this episode, I'll dig into that moment that I first realized I didn't' really like my husband and more and what I did to change that. It's time to share my secrets and I'm not holding anything back!https://mrsrachelballard.com/welcome-to-the-how-to-like-your-husband/