Marriage is a big step in a relationship. It’s something that people think about from the time they can grasp the concept of relationships. When you factor that in with the high divorce rate, it makes sense that people want to make sure they’re getting it right before they take the leap.
Typically people ask their close inner circle relationship advice. Leaning on people like their parents, siblings or friends who have been married to fill in the gaps of knowledge. But with the world being smaller than ever due to social media, it takes little effort to gather more collective knowledge from thousands of people from your target audience.
Surprisingly, people are pretty forthcoming to strangers on the internet looking for support and help. One man who goes by the name King Boiza decided to ask his internet advisors, “married men what is your greatest regret about marriage? Advise the single boys. It could be about anything.” They married men didn’t hesitate to answer the call in the most genuinely wholesome way.
Gleaning collective wisdom from those more experienced than you is a common practice, but being able to do it in such a large way is relatively new. Different life experiences lead to different perspectives that can be invaluable to someone still learning.
The advice provided ranged from warnings to what could be seen as universal truths about marriage.
“Your wife becomes the words you speak upon her, I regret not speaking life and good upon her,” one man shares.
“In times of trouble, remember…It’s not you against her but the both of you, against the problem…,” someone writes.
“Listen when she speaks from the heart, once she feels unheard, she will be closed off for a long time if not forever,” another advises.
“Not all women age gracefully with all their good looks and physique. Marry her for more reasons beyond her body and beauty. Seek a FOREVER,” one commenter says.
Forbes reports that 43% of first marriages end in divorce with the number significantly increasing with each subsequent marriage. Finding out the regrets, struggles and triumphs of other marriages may help others feel more prepared to commit to marriage with a bit of a roadmap laid in front of them.
It’s clear from the comments under the post that marriage takes work and while some of the men admittedly misstepped, they seem eager to share with others so they avoid the same mistakes.
“My biggest regret in marriage was to cheat and I’m telling you…my wife was never the same…so my advice is never cheat never ever,” one guy confesses.
“We tend to take our spouse for granted once we get married. Continue to invest your time in her. You won’t regret it and she’ll know that you really see her,” one man shares.
But it wasn’t only men who dropped by the comment section. Women stopped to share their appreciation for the wisdom being left for all to see.
“After reading this comment section, my faith in the institution of marriage is restored. Relationships are not perfect, but we gotta try with people who want to try,” one woman writes.
“I don’t know why I’m crying…I guess I never knew men like these existed…Your wives must be blessed,” another woman shares.
If you need a dose of healthy masculinity and wholesome advice for lasting partnerships, look no further than that comment section. They’re saving some future couple from heartache by simply showing up to answer a stranger’s question on the internet.