With summer coming to an end, many people are thinking back fondly of the time spent on vacation.
Whether it’s road-tripping to see a new city, hiking and taking in the natural beauty around us, or sitting on the beach to soak up the sun, we can all benefit from a break from our usual schedules and routines.
When we get away, we often experience a sense of peace and even gain new clarity about our lives. That’s why making space to step out of our normal is a powerful tool for growth and healing. Sometimes, when you’re seeking personal growth or positive change in your relationship, the best thing you can do is give yourself the time and space you need to truly reflect on your situation, gain a fresh perspective, and determine the best next step forward.
This is why we started hosting our Marriage Intensives. During this dedicated, private 3-day retreat, we help couples break free from unhealthy patterns, work on areas that need attention in their relationship, and regain the intimacy they desire.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why you should take the time to step outside of your norm
- The value of dedicated time for growth
- How an intensive can help change harmful patterns in our lives
- And more!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
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- Marriage Intensive
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Our Key Takeaways:
1) Take a break from your normal. You can and should utilize resources like books, podcasts, and coaching to help improve your relationship. However, when a big change is needed due to a crisis or a feeling that your relationship has stagnated, it’s useful to interrupt your normal patterns of thinking and doing. When we were in crisis, we tried everything to save our marriage, but it was hard for us to get any real traction until we were willing to step away from our normal and put some serious time into ourselves and each other. Whether you can give up a day, two, or an entire weekend, setting aside time to take a break from your normal patterns allows you to reflect and establish the changes you want to see.
2) If you’re serious about seeing change, really commit to your plan. This is about more than just setting aside a date to work on your relationship. It takes planning, resources, and commitment to set yourselves up for success. Find a sitter or enlist the help of grandparents to protect the time you will spend together. Determine if you are going to utilize a book, take a course, find a counselor in your area, or sign up for our Marriage Intensive to help you make the most of this time.
3) Say yes to opportunities for growth. Even if you’ve already completed our Marriage Intensive, or if attending one isn’t possible for you right now, you can still say yes to opportunities around you for growth. Your church may host a speaker or marriage retreat, you might access an in-depth study through RightNow Media, or you might book a virtual coaching session to help you get started. There is no such thing as a perfect marriage; we have to continue to learn and grow with one another—it’s a lifetime investment!
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