Maintaining friendships after marriage can be tasking. This is because marriage is a big step and comes with certain changes in a person’s life, including friendships. But the questions you would like to ask yourself are:
- How long has your friend been in your life?
- How helpful is that friendship?
- Why do you feel the need to end or continue the friendship?
- What does your spouse or partner think about friendship?
In all you do, never make it about yourself. Run it by your partner, and ensure it does not affect your marriage. According to Boundless, here are some to-dos when considering friendships after marriage. Note that these points are a two-way sling for both married couples and those who intend to maintain their friendship with them.
Reach Out First
Those in the “single-hood” know that maintaining your friendship with your married friend can be critical. This is because they are just starting life on a new wavelength. Their priorities would change, and sometimes, saying hi to you never came up. The best you can do for a dear friend is to ask them how they are doing, not share the blame for being negligent.
Never Assume They Want To Be Left Alone
Maintaining that friendship might mean a lot to you even after marriage. As a married or single person, the burdens of life can be overwhelming. So, if you see your relationship or friendship with someone being threatened, save it!
Make Time For Friendly Gatherings
As a newlywed, invite your single friends over after settling down properly. That way, friendships with your single and married friends can be maintained. Importantly, ensure that your partner is cool with the idea. Play games and do all the fun things together. It could also be a girls’ or boys’ trip.
Run It By Your Other Half
Your friendship can only continue after marriage if your lover has permitted you. Remember that you decided to commit to a marriage, so be wise enough to include your spouse in every decision.
Ask Yourself If The Friendship Is Worth It?
This has nothing to do with being insecure. This is when you think critically about who to hang with. Even if you don’t have ulterior motives, it’s not right to be with the opposite gender without your partner’s consent. After marriage, you become more considerate of your friendship choices.
Conclusively, except if you run an open marriage, never underestimate the power of choices. Do not act careless with your partner’s emotions to feed your ego. The number one friendship worth maintaining after marriage is with your partner. Every other relationship is secondary. This does not mean you cut off ties with your friends, but you know when to draw the line. It means you respect your partner.
