EP06: Journaling & Midlife Relationships

How can we maintain relationships and cultivate a sense of gratitude particularly as we navigate midlife? Drawing from his own 26 years of marriage, host Scott Asmar talks about the ups and downs of relationships and the hard work they require to thrive.

Scott gets real about what keeps a relationship going. He shares a personal tip that's changed the way he sees his loved ones: writing down the good stuff about them in a journal. It's a simple strategy, focusing on the positives, which has helped him appreciate his wife and friends more.

Scott's stories and tips provide a fresh perspective on strengthening bonds with those around you. He also emphasizes our need for connection and a sense of community. He encourages listeners to try out the journal idea for themselves so they can remember why they value their close relationships. It's a practical step toward bringing back that initial excitement and cultivating gratitude in your life.

Quotes:

• “Those attributes, those commitments and follow through and work and dedication can be used in any type of relationship, any type of friendship. Everything takes dedication, everything takes commitment, everything takes follow-through, everything takes work. And even as we do with our homes, with our bodies, with our cars, the upkeep of all of that to maintain its proper use to maintain its full capacity. Same thing with a relationship. We need to put that into our relationships in order for them to work and for them to to get the most out of who we choose to be with. If we don't, we run the risk of decaying these relationships.” (02:53 | Scott Asmar)
• “When we're in the middle of our life and there's so much stimuli around us and there's so many things that consume us in terms of children or family or aging parents, that we need to refocus. And it is important to have these connections and it is important to have the strong connection with your spouse. or your significant other, because those are the backbones. Those are what help you. The friendships that we have are also important too. (06:07 | Scott Asmar)
• “Connecting with people is important to our psyche. Everybody has a sense of wanting to belong. Everybody has a sense of wanting to be a part of something at any age.” (06:42 | Scott Asmar)
• “The key to people is the connection and being a part of something. And everybody longs for that at no matter what age. I've seen it in older people and in young people. And you can see it on the playground of a school. Just that connection and being a part of something really helps you mentally to grow and to mature and to fulfill that need.” (07:31 | Scott Asmar)
• “I encourage you to start the journal. And to write down the list of things, starting with your spouse, significant other, what drew you to them. List every positive aspect of them. Don't do a positive and negative, only positives. And read that, read that once a week, read that once a month to refresh your memory of why you're with this person. And branch out to the friendships. Why are you with these core friends? What drew you together? You'll see that it'll be very enlightening and it'll take you back to that time of the quote unquote honeymoon stage. (08:15 | Scott Asmar)

Links

Connect with Scott Asmar:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottasmar5/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm