Over 60s reflect on keeping the romance alive later in life

Every relationship has its ups and downs, and as the years roll by it can become an arduous task to keep the romance alive, sometimes the best thing to do is take some advice from those seasoned in the art of love.

Posting to the online forum Ask Old People on Reddit, one user turned to the over-60s community with “multiple decades” of spousal experience to ask for their ultimate pearls of wisdom in making a marriage work.

“Those of you who have been married for multiple decades, how did you resolve conflicts in your relationships and not let them override your relationships?,” the post began.

“I know people emphasize communication, which is totally understandable. Communication however looks different for different people so I’m curious as to what successful tactics you have used to escalate any issues between you and your significant other.”

The experts in courtship did not disappoint, offering their best advice for longevity in marriage.

“Trust and respect,” one 60-something said.

“If we have a conflict, I have to assume I carry some of the blame. I have to assume she has a good point otherwise, she wouldn’t stand by it. I have to trust she cares about my point of view too. I cool myself off and look for those points, and look for what I could do better. She’s doing the same thing at the same time. Trust and respect.”

Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect.#marriageadvice #marrigegoals pic.twitter.com/FtoPvtRICC

— Marriage Advice Forum Worldwide (@ForumMarriage) August 3, 2022

“Let go of your ego and don’t make things in your life a competition against your spouse,” another person said.

“When you compete against your spouse it means that one of you loses, which in the end, means you both lose. Compete together against the obstacles of life, there will be plenty.”

Those who’d had more than one marriage reflected on the mistakes from their failed relationships, offering sound advice to those may be travelling down the same path.

“30 years here, both our second marriage. A very simple “let it go” mantra goes a long way,” someone offered.

“It’s usually not worth arguing over. Stop trying to prove your point, or show the other person how wrong they are about something trivial. Life is too short. Don’t sweat the small stuff. And if it’s a big important issue, try to have a pre-discussion positive pep talk, as in, let’s just talk this out with no dramatics and loud voices etc.

“But if things do get heated, sometimes we might take a few minutes and cool off and usually that does the trick and we move on. People have a lot on them these days. We should try to make our spouse’s life as easy as possible. Not make things harder on them.”

“We’ve been married 25 years,” another person commented.

“It’s my second, his third. A few things: 1. It’s more important to be kind that right. Translation: some things aren’t worth arguing about.

“2. Choose your battles carefully. Similar to #1. If everything is a big deal, then nothing is a big deal.

“3. I love you too much to argue about this’. Again, similar to #1.

“4. Go to bed angry. Sometimes you’re angry because you’re tired. Staying up fighting will not help.

“5. remember HALT: are you hungry, angry, lonely or tired? Try to identify it. Hangry is a thing. Don’t give into it.

“6. Lastly, divorce is trading one set of problems for another. Choose wisely.

“7. Communicate! Don’t assume anything.”