How to Fix a Marriage Without Professional Help

There are several ways to fix a marriage if you truly want the marriage to survive. Some spouses choose to go to counseling, while others choose to fix their marriage without professional help.

Instructions

1. Apologize. "I'm sorry" are two simple words yet are the hardest to say. This is because it takes a certain amount of humility to sincerely be sorry for a wrongdoing. Acknowledge your errors and ask for forgiveness. Saying "I'm sorry" can do wonders for a relationship, especially if your spouse knows you are the type of person who rarely admits her mistakes.

2. Confide your feelings to your spouse. Be open and honest about how you feel and how you truly want the relationship to work. Instead of responding in anger or saying things with resentment, speak from your heart. Pouring out your feelings to your spouse allows him talk to you freely in return .

3. Acknowledge your spouse's feelings. Even if you still do not agree with what she is saying, try to see her point of view. If your spouse comes from a certain background, know what triggers may set her into a relapse. You do not have to agree to acknowledge her feelings. This helps decrease tension and conflict because it shows her that you are listening.

4. Find common ground with each other. Keep the issue at hand. Focus only on the problem that is in front of you at that moment. This is where good communication comes in. You and your spouse share in the same common goal of trying to make things work; the two of you may just have different ways of reaching that goal. Admit that the two of you are on the same level, and implement each other's point of view on how to save the marriage.

5. Take responsibility for your actions. When marriages are on the verge of failing, it usually is not a 100 percent at-fault issue. Everyone must take some sort of responsibility. One may seem to be at greater fault than the other, but playing the blame game will not help fix your marriage.

6. Promise to do better. When saying "I'm sorry," back it up with acting better. Not repeating the offensive behavior can greatly help situations. Demonstrate that you are changing bad behaviors. If you are known to drink alcohol too much when you go out, cut down to only one to two drinks or stop drinking alcohol all together.