Married couples share their best advice for younger folks: 'You're a team'

When you embark on a new romantic relationship as a young person, there are probably a million questions in your head about how to make it work with your partner. To answer those questions, there's perhaps no one better than someone who has been in a committed romantic relationship for several years. Recognizing this, one Reddit user took to the forum, Ask Reddit. They asked, "Married couples, what advice would you give to young couples?" And, fellow Reddit users delivered. From simple things to take note of (like showing an interest in your partner's hobbies) to more serious considerations around the self and insecurity, married individuals had lots of advice to offer up. Here are some of the best takeaways from the viral Reddit thread.

1. Don't sweat the small stuff

Don't stress over the little sh*t. You'll get annoyed at things you didn't think possible, like how they organize themselves, how they load the dishwasher, difference in opinions for trivial things. Let that sh*t go. Think about what truly matters to you before you start an argument over your misplaced toothbrush, the color of paint to use in the living room, or what's going on in the garage at 10 pm with all the swearing. This will differ a bit, but this is coming from a man that's been married for 14 years with two kids. - u/Beholder84

2. Work on yourself

Always remember to work on yourself, as your insecurities can easily form into blame towards your partner. "They're not doing enough" they're not making me feel special enough" when you're insecure and not doing anything to fix it, it won't matter what your partner does. So always work on yourself, invite your partner to join you in your goals and the positivity from your efforts will strengthen your relationship with your partner and how you see yourself. - u/Ello_Owu

3. A-Team

Don't talk sh*t about each other to your friends or family members. You're a team. If you have a complaint and need to tell someone, be honest with your partner about it rather than telling a third party. - u/ruthlessbaderginz

4. Align your chakras (sort of)

Make sure you have the same life vision as your partner. You need to be in alignment on the big things. - u/SeaTie

5. Two cents

Here are two of the best advices that one of our "ninongs" (primary sponsors) said when we announced our plan to marry. One: Marry when you are both ready. And two: You should be able to accept every fault and weakness in your partner's being. If you do, then you're ready to get married. - u/Bibingka_Malagkit

6. Relationship exercise

Assemble a piece of flatpack furniture together that neither of you have assembled before or do a small home improvement task neither of you have done before, before making a big commitment. You need to see each other frustrated and confused while you are also frustrated and confused. Learning how to work together in spite of those things is a huge deal for long term success. - u/Elrandir517

7. Your partner is a planet in your universe

You are allowed to spend time away from your partner, you can have a friend group that are not part of you partners friend group. Listen when your partner is talking and if you have kids remember that you are partners not just parents. - u/HeathenKris

8. Great expectations

Best advice I ever got: Have realistic expectations of each other. Unmet expectations are the root of unhappiness. - u/BluePinky

9. Shared interests

Do things your spouse enjoys, and don't keep score. For example, my wife loves going to soccer games but I don't, and I love horror movies but my wife doesn't. But I still go to games with her, and she still watches horror movies with me. Support each others hobbies and interests. - u/LagerLounge

10. The common enemy

Fight the issue, not each other. - u/BlackSwann0316

11. Finances

Sit down once a month and look over your finances. Always have a Master Plan on what both of you want, then work together towards that. - u/drroub