Brandon Coussens, LMFT 
In the mental health profession, we often talk about setting boundaries—whether in our interpersonal relationships, in how we relate to ourselves, or in the expectations we hold. But before we can set boundaries, we have to understand what they are and why they matter.
Over the past few months, I’ve been paying closer attention to my digital life and how I spend my time. What I’ve found is that certain platforms are consuming my energy and attention, but not giving much in return. They haven’t led to meaningful results, deeper creativity, or healthier relationships.
Life can get busy. After marriage, many things can happen. Unexpected things! Sometimes it’s self-inflicted. Other times life just throws us curve balls. It shouldn’t really be a surprise when a marriage gets stale or stuck. However, as counselors, we have so many couples come to us because of this problem. It makes us wonder why many more aren’t coming because, from my experience and understanding, lots of couples struggle with a lack of intimacy, affection, or the dreaded roommate paralysis.
In our previous post, “New Year, New Hope: Goal Setting for a Stronger Marriage,” we discussed how setting goals as a couple can breathe new life into your relationship. Now, we’re diving even deeper with additional tips and strategies to help you maintain momentum and create lasting change throughout the year. Let’s explore three more ways to strengthen your bond and keep the spirit of renewal alive in your partnership.
January is a perfect time to reflect on the past year and reassess your goals for the year ahead as a couple. Some years are filled with joy and ease, while others require persistence and growth through challenges. Regardless of the season, as Christians, we have the ability to overcome habits and actions that no longer serve us and embrace new behaviors that lead to a flourishing relationship.
The holidays are often painted as the most wonderful time of the year, filled with joy, laughter, and togetherness. But let’s be honest: they can also bring stress, tension, and uncomfortable moments—especially when navigating family dynamics.
It is not uncommon for me to remind clients during sessions that love is more than an emotion we feel, but also a choice we make daily and an action. Love is an emotion we feel powered by connection. Love is a choice we make each morning when we wake up, and actively throughout the day. Love is the way we show affection to our partner. Love is such a deep concept. I was reading, A Roadmap for Couple Therapy, in some of my downtime, and in chapter 3 the quote above really stuck out to me. Let’s break this down and explore it together, shall we?
Are you someone who likes to hold hands, give or receive hugs, or just be close to people physically? We each have different preferences in how we feel loved. Sometimes we give love differently from how we receive it. When it comes to the love language of physical touch, people can have different views of what this looks like. Many might think of physical touch primarily for intimacy, but it’s much more than that. It’s a great way to show your “nearness,” “I’m thinking of you,” and “I like you.” A simple touch of the hand or even just being close can make your partner feel more safe, secure, and connected to you.
As human beings, we’re naturally drawn to connect with others. We crave relationships that bring us joy, support, and strength. But while connection can be fulfilling, it can also expose us to misunderstandings and moments of hurt. Life often presents us with difficult moments when we feel isolated and vulnerable, and it’s in these times that the power of community can step in, providing us with comfort, understanding, and a safe space to begin the healing process.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many are still grappling with its impact. Sadly, it’s often only after we lose something that we realize how fortunate we are. Millions lost power, and many in rural areas were left without water because they relied on electric wells. Gas became scarce as stations lost power, and food spoiled quickly with refrigerators and freezers out of commission. Only the most prepared among us escaped with minimal impact. Who would have thought a chainsaw would be an essential item for preparedness? We may not be laughing at those “preppers” anymore.
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