Is your marriage as strong as you believe it to be? The Brag Test offers a simple yet effective way to assess the health of your relationship. You can uncover areas needing improvement and celebrate your strengths by evaluating your marriage through objective measures, daily feelings, shared goals, admiration, and mutual respect.
Many couples go through life assuming that their relationship is in good shape but fail to assess their marriage’s health truly. The Brag Test is a simple yet effective tool that can help determine whether your marriage is thriving or if areas could be improved.
By evaluating your relationship through the lens of the Brag Test, you can gain valuable insights into the dynamics of your marriage and identify areas where you may need to focus your attention.
“Admiration and respect are fundamental for a thriving relationship.” – Dr. Helen Fisher, Biological Anthropologist
In this article, we will explore five key ways you can assess your marriage using the Brag Test. By applying these strategies to your relationship, you can better understand where you and your partner stand and take steps toward strengthening your bond. Whether you have been married for years or are just starting your journey together, the Brag Test can provide valuable insights to help you build a more fulfilling and lasting partnership. So, grab a pen and paper, and let’s dive into marital assessment together.
Evaluate Your Marriage Objectively First
Before taking a marriage assessment, objectively evaluating your relationship’s state is important. Take a step back and consider your interactions, communication patterns, conflicts, and overall marital satisfaction. Look at how you and your partner navigate challenges, resolve disagreements, and support each other in need.
Assess the level of trust, respect, and emotional connection you share to gauge your marriage’s current health. By evaluating your marriage objectively, you lay the foundation for a thorough relationship evaluation and a clearer understanding of where improvements may be needed.
“Shared goals and mutual respect solidify marital bonds.” – Dr. Gary Chapman, Author of The 5 Love Languages
Consider How You Feel Daily
Reflect on how you feel daily within your marriage. Pay attention to your emotions, thoughts, and general sense of contentment or dissatisfaction in your relationship. Consider whether you feel happy, supported, and fulfilled by your partner or if there are underlying feelings of resentment, neglect, or unhappiness. Your daily emotional state can offer valuable insights into the overall health of your marriage.
Acknowledging and understanding your feelings can provide essential clues for the marriage assessment, allowing you to pinpoint areas that may require attention for a stronger and more fulfilling relationship. By regularly assessing how you feel within your marriage, you can gain a deeper understanding of your relationship dynamics and take proactive steps to nurture its growth and well-being.
Reflect on Shared Goals Accomplished
Reflect on the shared goals you have accomplished as a couple throughout your marriage. Consider the milestones, big or small, that you have achieved together—whether it be buying a house, raising children, pursuing career advancements, or overcoming challenges as a team.
Reflecting on these shared accomplishments can provide valuable insights into your relationship’s strength and resilience. Acknowledging the goals you have successfully reached can serve as a testament to your communication, cooperation, and mutual support within the partnership.
Celebrating these shared triumphs can enhance your sense of unity and connection, reinforcing the foundation of your marriage. Take time to appreciate the journey you have navigated together and recognize the growth you have experienced as a couple. Assessing the shared goals accomplished can offer valuable perspectives for your relationship evaluation and contribute to maintaining a healthy and fulfilling marriage.
Assess If You Admire Them
Evaluate your marriage by considering whether you admire your partner wholeheartedly. Assess whether you genuinely look up to your spouse, not just for their achievements or external qualities, but for their core values, character, and conduct in various situations. Reflect on the qualities you admire in your partner, such as their kindness, integrity, resilience, and compassion.
Observing how your partner handles challenges, communicates with others, and supports you can offer valuable insights into the strength of your bond. Admiration is crucial to a healthy marriage, as it signifies a deep respect and appreciation for your partner’s essence and contributions to the relationship. Consider how often you express your admiration for your spouse and recognize the importance of this element in your marriage’s health and overall relationship satisfaction.
Gauge Mutual Respect and Connection
Assessing mutual respect and connection in your marriage is fundamental to understanding its health. It involves recognizing how well you and your partner value each other’s opinions, feelings, and boundaries.
Mutual respect is reflected in how you communicate, compromise, and support one another through various situations. It also involves acknowledging and appreciating your partner’s individuality and strengths, fostering a sense of equality and partnership in your marriage.
The depth of your connection can be gauged by the emotional bond you share, the level of intimacy and trust, and how effectively you navigate challenges together as a team. Evaluating the mutual respect and connection within your marriage provides valuable insights into the strength of your relationship and lays the foundation for a fulfilling and enduring partnership.
In conclusion, assessing your marriage using the Brag Test can reveal significant insights into its health. Focusing on admiration, respect, and communication can strengthen your bond and ensure a lasting partnership. Keep nurturing your connection; your marriage will pass the Brag Test with flying colours.
Ready to Strengthen Your Marriage?
Take the Brag Test today and discover areas for improvement in your relationship. Strengthen your bond with practical, expert-approved strategies. Don’t wait for problems to arise; be proactive in nurturing your love.
References
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Gottman, J. M. (1999). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.
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Markman, H. J., Stanley, S. M., & Blumberg, S. L. (1994). Fighting for Your Marriage.
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Finkel, E. J., & Slotter, E. B. (2020). “The New Science of Romantic Relationships.” Annual Review of Psychology, 71.
Graciella Marshall, originally from Barcelona, Spain, is an esteemed relationship counselor and author with a rich background in helping individuals and couples cultivate healthy, fulfilling relationships. With over twenty years of experience in the field, Graciella’s expertise is sought after by clients from all walks of life. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from a recognized university, where she specialized in relationship dynamics and communication strategies. Graciella is known for her compassionate approach and innovative techniques that address the root causes of relationship issues. Married with one son and twin daughters, she resides in San Francisco, California, where she runs a successful private practice. Graciella’s contributions to the field, including her widely acclaimed workshops, have made her a pivotal figure in transforming the lives of many couples, guiding them toward more loving and sustainable partnerships.