The first year of marriage is typically the honeymoon phase when both partners are in love and life feels pretty magical.
The problem is, many couples could unknowingly walk into a ticking time bomb if they’re not aware of some of the challenges that come with being married.
These are some of the most common mistakes couples make in the first year of wedded bliss — and how you can work to fix them before they mess with your marriage.
1. Over-nestling
“Couples can start getting into a rut of enjoying the marriage in the first year to the extent they may stop being social as a couple or individually, which could set up bad patterns ahead,” certified clinical psychologist Paul DePompo tells SheKnows. “So discuss what balance would look like in terms of time together, apart and with others. It is irrational to believe you must want to be together all the time.”
2. Expecting your partner will be different
People think marriage will make someone more mature, calmer, etc. “Do not expect your partner to now be any different than they were last year. You married a person with their own history, personality and experience — so we should expect this is what you are getting at the most part,” says DePompo.
3. Not knowing how to fight
Couples might not know how to fight with their partner. “They might not know if it’s best to figure things out before going to sleep or to cool off for the night,” says Katie Leikam, a relationship and LGBTQ-affirming therapist. “Have a conversation with your partner when you’re not fighting and ask them what’s most helpful to each of you and implement it next time a fight comes around,” she tells SheKnows.
4. Not knowing the household expectations
Were you raised to believe that one gender does certain chores around the house? Do you have different expectations of who does what to keep the house functioning? “Sit down and talk to your partner about how you were raised about gendered roles and what you believe should be the same or different based on your opinions. Make clear expectations about who is responsible for what. It may surprise you,” says Leikam.
5. Fighting over the little stuff
Arguing over the toilet seat being left up or for crumbs on the floor does not set the tone for a healthy relationship. Marriage is about biting your tongue at times; otherwise, you will find yourself in a constant argument with your new spouse. Try discussing your pet peeves in an effective manner.
6. Not attending premarital counseling
Most couples spend thousands of dollars on lavish, beautiful weddings, but they completely skip out on the counseling. “Even when the signs of trouble are clear in a relationship, they often feel too embarrassed to seek help,” Ibinye Osibodu-Onyali, a licensed marriage and family therapist, tells SheKnows. “Counseling actually works best when the relationship has not hit a point where both partners have their walls up. It’s so much better to iron out differences before you walk down the aisle than to spend the first year bickering.”
7. Sweeping things under the rug
In the first year of marriage, the starry-eyed lovers often forget that some level of disagreement can actually be healthy. “Rather than brushing small irritations away, actually talk about it. Small irritations can easily build up into large annoyances. To fix this, set a time each week or even once a month to have a relationship check-in,” says Osibodu-Onyali.
8. Failing to set clear boundaries
This is a common mistake with couples who have dated or known each other for a long time, Osibodu-Onyali says. “They rely on the knowledge of each other to keep things moving along. The problem with this is that most people expect their marriage to look like their parents’ marriage. Consider having a sit-down, no-nonsense discussion about what you each think your roles should be.”
9. Trying to have a baby right away
We’re all aware of the clock ticking as women, age but Osibodu-Onyali tells SheKnows it’s important to get to know each other as a married couple first before you bring a new dynamic into the marriage. Children can cause stress, sleeplessness and other challenges that need to be overcome with two solid partners. Certainly, discuss how many children you want, fertility and timing, just don’t start right away.
10. Not organizing the finances
Newlyweds rarely talk about money. Sonya Schwartz, a relationship expert, tells SheKnows it is commonly assumed a married couple should share income and expenses, but that’s not a rule. “Talk to your spouse and work out a formula that fits you, even if that means managing your incomes separately.”
