An Interview with Tammy Greene from Married & Naked

Tammy's Website: married-and-naked.com

Q. What motivated you to start blogging about marriage?  

Over the past few of years, my husband and I have put a tremendous amount of energy into making our marriage what we want it to be. Reaching from a time that I was nearly certain "happily ever after," was not in the cards for us, to today where we are happier, stronger and more in love than ever before. 

Throughout these years of making improvements, I have learned a lot about marriage. I have discovered key things that have transformed my marriage to be one that I am extremely proud of. 

I decided that blogging could be my avenue for sharing with other married couples these tools that I have attained that, quite literally, saved my marriage. I felt an intense need to share what I have learned with others. I truly believe that these tools that I have cultivated can help endless couples around the world achieve happier, healthier, sexier and lasting marriages.  ​​

***Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase the marriage journal below, we will receive some compensation. 

Q. How did you come up with the idea of a marriage journal?  

​Making this journal available to all married couples has been a goal of mine for the last several years. It started back a few years ago when my husband and I were struggling in our marriage. At the time, I was sick of feeling unappreciated and so was my husband. I realized that something needed to change.

I asked my husband if he would be willing to keep an appreciation journal with me. I suggested that every day, at the end of the day, we write a little note of appreciation to each other. He agreed to give it a try and so began my 
marriage's journey to transformation, as well as my intense connection to this journal.

Q. Why is keeping an appreciation journal so important for couples?  

Feeling unappreciated is one of the most common complaints that I hear from married people.  And feeling under-appreciated in a relationship can lead to all kinds of negative feelings: frustration, depression, disconnection, and bitterness. One thing that I know for sure, is that if these feelings are dominating your marriage, then you are headed down a dark path.  

An appreciation journal can help you stay  - or get back on -  the right path. A spouse who feels appreciated and valued is most likely a happy spouse. And happy spouses create long-lasting and happy marriages. 

Q. How has this journal helped nurture your marriage?

Gratitude and appreciation have now become habit, and a normal everyday part of our language toward each other. Now, honestly, not a day goes by without us saying “Thank you.” It may be as simple as, “Thank you for putting away the dishes,” to, “Thank you for being an amazing partner.”  The journal has taught us to say those thoughts of “thanks,” out loud.  Words of gratitude are much more powerful when spoken so they can be heard.

Q. What do you do if only one spouse thinks it is a good idea to keep the journal, and the other doesn't?   

If both spouses are not on-board with participating in the journal, I encourage the one spouse who is interested to use it anyway. I believe that change begins within ourselves.

Focus your energy on what you can do to be a better spouse. Express your daily appreciation with this journal. Spending time focusing regularly on gratitude toward your spouse will help you feel more positive toward them. And, you will take comfort in knowing that you are making every effort to make improvements that will better your relationship.

Q. What other ways can the journal be used to help strengthen marriages?

One of the powers of this journal is that it forces you to look for the good in your partner. It makes you take a moment every day to think of something positive about your spouse. Doing this daily will help you feel more positive toward your spouse and can help you feel more content and happy in your marriage. 

Q. Why would this journal be a perfect gift for Valentine's Day?  

I think the perfect Valentine’s Day gift is one that expresses to your spouse how much you love and value them, and your marriage.  

What better way to show that then to get them a gift that is going to shower them with love, gratitude and appreciation every single day?  It doesn’t get any better than that!

Q. What is one secret you could share that will lead to a happy marriage?  

One thing that I have learned is that creating a happy marriage is a daily choice. It requires you to “show up” for your marriage every day. You cannot expect to have a happy marriage if you do not put in the effort. Marriage requires a daily intention of success in order to flourish.

SALE: Right now The Ultimate Marriage Journal is only $14.99, plus free shipping with the coupon code: SHIPFREE

Photo Credit: Tammy Greene

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