When you were a child, you probably dreamed of your own “happily ever after” just like in the Disney movies. However, in real life, having a successful marriage is not always so easy. There are countless reasons that could lead to a broken marriage, such as laziness, selfishness, neglect, poor communication skills, and even the presence of children. But what can you do to fix a broken marriage and save your relationship?

Firstly, it is important to take a good look at yourself and how your actions may have contributed to the problems in your marriage. It is rare for problems to be solely the responsibility of one person. Take responsibility for your own actions, be honest with yourself and your spouse, and have a heart-to-heart talk about the state of your marriage.

Perception is reality, and your spouse probably sees the marriage in a very different way than you do. Listen to your partner’s point of view and just listen, without interrupting them. Make a list of things that both people want to change in the marriage and write out a “contract” as a commitment to each other for change. Spend quality time together and ditch the technology that may be getting in the way.

But what can you do if your spouse is unwilling to work on the marriage with you? It is difficult, but not impossible, to fix a broken marriage alone. Do a “relationship autopsy” and notice any common patterns that have caused problems in the past. Try something new instead of repeating the same actions that led to problems before.

Rebuilding a marriage is not easy, but it can be done. Communication and effort are key to a successful marriage. Work together with your partner, and remember that it takes two committed people to rebuild a marriage.