This is optimal living daily enriching your marriage by creating shared meaning by Terry

Gaspbard of Gottman.com and I'm Justin Molick.

Welcome back to a Sunday bonus episode where I give you a little extra content from a

podcast in our network that I think will also help you live a life that's a bit more

meaningful and happier. And today's episode is coming from optimal relationships daily.

So without further ado, here's Greg with another post, as we optimize your life.

Enriching your marriage by creating shared meaning by Terry Gaspard of Gotman.com

After being married 10 years, Theresa, age 38, discovered that being in love with Brian, age 37, was just not enough to sustain happiness in their union.

When Brian married Theresa, he was impressed with her hard-working nature and

financial independence. Teresa was attracted to Brian because he had a good job and was conscientious

and kind. However, over the last few years, Teresa found herself comparing her marriage to her friends unfavorably and criticizing Brian for habits she found annoying, such as leaving dishes in the sink and not hanging up his clothes.

They rarely spend time together, and intimacy and romance have evaporated since their young

children, Aidan and Stacy, had arrived.

Theresa put it like this.

Quote, it seems like Brian puts all of his energy into his job and has little left over

for me, our kids, or our home at the end of the day.

We've been considering buying a bigger house, but I'm putting that on hold for now."

End quote.

Just because you fall in love with someone, that doesn't mean that love will stay alive without nurturing your partnership

If you find yourself asking what is missing from my marriage your situation may be similar to Brian and Theresa's.

What might be missing is what Dr. John Gottman refers to as a sense of shared meaning.

A successful marriage is about more than raising kids, paying bills, and getting chores done.

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