So as you can see from the title this is part 2 of opposites attract. Read part 1 here. In this post I would like to share some of my ideas on how to bridge the gap between you and your opposite spouse. I’m assuming that you already love and care for them, but you are looking for ways to love their better knowing your differences.

Find Things You Have in Common

This may seem difficult at first, after all opposite implies completely different. Take the time to look for things that you both in enjoy. For my husband and I it’s playing board games. If we are looking for something to do on a free night, playing a board or card game is what will usually happen.

Even if it’s something as simple as that find it and do it together. It doesn’t matter how simple or how silly it seems. The fact that you are spending time together doing something that you both enjoy will allow you to get to know each other better. Some other ideas are watching movies, listening to music, shopping, or try new restaurants.

Try Something Your Spouse Enjoys

Now that you have found something that you have in common, take turns trying things that you each enjoy. I am not big into movies, music, or watching YouTube videos, but those are all things my husband enjoys. So periodically, when he asks I will say yes. And I will say it with a good attitude. Not the “yes, I’ll do it but I really don’t feel like it”. But a “yes, I’d love to spend this time with you.”

By saying “yes” to his requests I have opened the door to new things we enjoy together. I don’t think I ever listens to or watched stand up comedy before we started dating. Now it’s something we can enjoy together every now and then. More than that it gives us something to joke about and I see how happy it makes him when I make a joke from something he showed me. It may be simple, but it give us something else in common and draws us closer.

Try Something New Together

Now this step is a little bit more challenging and will probably take more time to get to. It is also harder to come up with ideas. More than likely, you each have many things you have tried and experienced. Try to find something that you each haven’t done but that you both would be willing to try. If you can’t find something that you would both be willing to try that you haven’t done yet, find something that you haven’t done together.

I was searching my brain for something that neither of us has done and the only thing that would come to mind is skydiving. We both agree that is not something that we would enjoy (we do have that in common). But although we both did a little bit of traveling with our family and/or friends neither had been very far or to many places outside of our home state. So traveling and specifically road-tripping is or thing.

He knows that I get enjoyment from planning the trip with stops and things to do and making an itinerary. He keeps me from going overboard and makes sure I include downtime for us to relax. Through our long drives we have also found other things that we enjoy together in keeping ourselves entertained and awake on long drives.

Just because you are opposites, doesn’t mean that you can’t find things in common to bridge the gaps in your relationship. I believe it is never too early or too late to get started on this. It could only serve to further build and grow your relationship. Obviously it takes time and work, as all things that are worth having do. I hope that I was able to give you ideas and encouragement in working to strengthen your relationship.

Martina