The wedding is over and you’ve started settling into your marriage. You’ve probably had to adjust to new social circumstances, as well. You have to make time for your husband, for your family, his family, your friends, and most importantly, you!

In fact, some psychologists say that a healthy marriage requires you to have balanced time with your husband, time with your kids/family, time with your friends, and time for yourself.

Don’t let go of your friendships

Perhaps in your past single life, your friends were your adopted family. But, now you have moved on to start a new family with your husband. Remember that you have worked to maintain your friendships for many years. Don’t let your marriage cause you to let those friendships go.

• Keep your once a week dinner date with your best friend.
• If you and your girlfriends like to hit the nightclubs, schedule one night out per month to go out dancing.
• Use those kitchenware gifts from the wedding to host a dinner party with your gal pals. Make it more fun and turn it into a sleepover.
• Your married friends will be thrilled that you finally made it down the aisle. You are finally in their “circle”. Conquer two-in-one and join your hubby and another couple for a night out.

What about the “singles”?

Now you’ve joined “the marrieds”, and you’ve left “the singles”. It can be a tough transition, especially if many of your friends are still single. Each one of us “marrieds” has a friend that can never seem to find the right guy. You have spent countless hours wallowing with her in the same predicament. Don’t forget that! Try to be sympathetic to your single friends. Listen to them and try not to focus the conversation on your great guy. And, maybe check with hubby to see if he has any friends up for a blind date

Accept that your social life will slow down

Days of staying out till all hours at a club and spending a few more hours at the pub are probably over. You’ve traded that in for sharing a pot of coffee and the paper with your husband early Sunday morning. You may even enjoy that more!

Allowing your social life to slow down may be easy. Allowing it to stop may be easier. However, remember your friends and family, and keep up the effort to include them in your new married life.