Want to know how to celebrate an anniversary in a bad marriage? Explore thoughtful gestures and communicating tips to make this special day a stepping stone towards rebuilding your relationship. When a couple dreams of getting married, they imagine themselves living a joyous married life. But unfortunately, not every couple experiences the life that they imagined after marriage. Their sweet dreams turn into a nightmare. Despite the involvement of one of the spouses in infidelity, the other spouse chooses to remain in the relationship, hoping that things will fall back into place someday. They then take their anniversary as an opportunity to rekindle the relationship. If you’re dealing with such a situation, and not sure how to celebrate an anniversary in a bad marriage, this guide is here to help you. How to Celebrate An Anniversary in a Bad Marriage? Is it your first anniversary after infidelity? That unforgettable day doesn’t have to be skipped without celebrations. Here’s what you can do to rekindle the relationship with your spouse. 1. Write a Message to Your Spouse The first thing you can do is write a meaningful message on a card and give it to your spouse. While writing the message, make sure to put your honest feelings regarding your spouse and marriage, and also what you want to do to set things back to normal. One thing to keep in mind is to remain respectful toward your partner. Here are some examples of messages you can write on anniversary card for troubled marriage:

• “I know that things aren’t working the way we expected, but that shouldn’t keep us apart. Let’s look forward to starting all over again.”
• “I can’t thank you enough for everything that you’ve done for me. In return, I promise to make you feel loved and improve in the things I lack.”
• “Although our marriage seems to be unstable, I want you to know that I won’t give up, and I hope you won’t too.”

2. Reflect Together Sit with your spouse and share all the good memories that both of you experienced together. Share photos and mementos that let you take a walk down memory lane. While it can be challenging to overcome hardships, focusing on the positive things lead to a positive outcome. 3. Try Something New Together Instead of spending the day alone and in sorrow, offer your partner to engage in a new activity with you. Both of you can attend a yoga class, go for a picnic, or visit a place you’ve never been before. Apart from that you can plan a meaningful activity, such as going to the restaurant or the place where you first met your spouse. 4. Have an Open Conversation If you want to express your feelings, concerns and hopes for the future face-to-face, it is a good idea to discuss with your spouse openly. They might understand your values and make an effort to move forward. Make sure to remain calm and respectful while talking to your spouse. 5. Spend Time on Self-Care If your spouse isn’t at home, you don’t have to spend the day shedding tears of sorrow. It’s justifiable to feel upset, but your physical and mental health should be a priority. Therefore, try to spend your time doing the things you love most, such as taking photographs, buying a new outfit, painting, or picking up a new skill. You can also consider spending time with friends and family. 6. Manage Your Expectations Considering the downsides of your marriage, it can take time for things to go back to normal. Therefore, make sure not to rush things or stress yourself to regain the bonding in just one day. If you remain in high hopes and hype up the anniversary, you might end up getting disappointed by your partner’s unexpected reaction. 7. Seek Professional Help If you feel the need to talk to a therapist for improving your marriage and mental health, let your partner know. If they agree, visit a trusted therapist to whom both of you can seek advice. Make sure to be honest with your feelings and concerns as it will allow the professional to offer the right help. FAQ 1. How Can I Stop Myself from Feeling Sad on Wedding Anniversary? It can be challenging to get over the after-effects of an unpleasant experience, which is a troubled marriage in this case. However, you don’t have to feel this way. To refrain from dealing with grief, try getting back into doing the things that keep you happy and occupied. You can watch a good series, go shopping, or start a new project. The halal marriage website, Noble Marriage encourages lonely spouses to prioritize their well-being in difficult times. 2. How Do You Heal a Bad Marriage? While healing a failed marriage can be challenging, it is not impossible. As long as both you and your spouse are willing to fix the marriage, there is hope. The best way to start is to have an open conversation with your spouse. Discuss with them the downsides of your marriage and what needs to be done to fix them one by one. Make sure not to react aggressively toward your partner’s opinion, as it can make the situation worse. Instead, remain calm and respectful. However, if your partner has been physically and mentally abusive toward you and they are unwilling to change, then divorce might be the best option. It is crucial not to allow yourself to be victimized. 3. Can Unhappy Marriages Be Happy Again? Unhappy marriages can be happy depending on the extent of the situation. If the causes of unhappiness are minor disagreements, then that can be solved by an open discussion or advice from a therapist. However, if its about something serious, such as infidelity or abuse, then there is a slim chance of regaining the bond that you’ve shared in the very beginning. Final Thoughts Nobody wants to experience a troubled marriage as it can have a negative impact on their lives. But, it happens all of a sudden, without leaving any room for avoidance. Despite the arguments, it is possible to make things normal as long as both spouses intend to work together on fixing their marriage. If you know how to celebrate an anniversary in a bad marriage, you can be a step closer.