Risk-Taking in Marriage: The Key to Breaking Old Habits and Rejuvenating Love

I’ve found that in the realm of lasting relationships, the concept of risk-taking in marriage often emerges as a pivotal factor for success.

The movie “Hope Springs” offers a profound metaphor through Steve Carrel’s character, a marriage therapist, who suggests that fixing a deviated septum requires breaking the nose.

This analogy is a powerful representation of how risk-taking in marriage can lead to healing and rejuvenation.

The Importance of Risk-Taking in Marriage

True change in any relationship, especially in a marriage, demands moments of courage and risk-taking. This weekend, consider stepping out of your comfort zone.

Embrace the unfamiliar and be radically different if necessary.

Remember how, as children, we approached life with wonder and curiosity, always ready to experiment? It’s time to bring back that spirit into your marriage.

A Real-Life Example of Risk-Taking in Marriage: The Story of Diane and Chris

The story of Diane and Chris exemplifies the transformative power of risk-taking in marriage. They came to me with a marriage that had turned bland over the years.

Initially bonded by strong chemistry, their relationship faded into the background amid parenting, financial strains, and external family pressures.

They had stopped tackling the tough issues and had retreated into isolation within their relationship.

When they began their journey with me, we focused on the pain points and gradually moved towards rediscovering pleasure. Diane and Chris embraced risk-taking in their marriage by engaging in difficult conversations they had long avoided.

This process helped them build their emotional resilience and become what I call ‘Partners in Pain’ (PIPs), supporting each other through challenging times.

Their willingness to take risks didn’t stop there.

Diane and Chris ventured into new territories of their relationship. They started singing together, an activity they had never explored before.

This simple act of singing together rekindled their joy in shared activities.

They played board games, tennis, and reintroduced playfulness into their physical relationship. Their journey of risk-taking in marriage even led them to share their deepest sexual desires, significantly enhancing their intimacy.

The Outcome of Risk-Taking in Marriage

The story of Diane and Chris is a testament to the power of risk-taking in marriage.

By stepping out of their comfort zones and confronting their pains and pleasures, they found themselves closer than ever before.

Their experience underscores that magic in marriage doesn’t just happen; it requires proactive steps, courage, and a willingness to face potential disappointments.

Every experience in life, especially in marriage can teach us something.

It’s all about your perspective.

You cannot predict the future of your marriage based on past patterns. It’s essential to let go of the past and listen to your inner desires.

Be prepared for any outcome, even if it’s not what you expected. Remember, there is no magic button in marriage; it takes work, commitment, and, importantly, risk-taking.

In my article titled Three Harsh Realities About Love I explain that ee fall in love and after a certain amount of time, most of us (and maybe all of us honest ones) fall out of love or at least fall somewhat out of love.  And we ask, “How did this happen?  

How did this passionate, fun, exciting relationship end up like this? Use the tips I share here about taking more risks in your marriage and see how this brings you closer to your partner again.

Break that metaphorical nose to allow more life energy to flow through your marriage.

Here’s to embracing risk-taking in marriage and getting the love you truly desire.