Marriage. Something that the Indian girls used to “dream” about, now gives them the dread of losing all their freedom!

Today, the Global Indian Woman is independent and moving ahead confidently in life like never before! With career taking a high priority quite early in their lives, marriage comes as a speed breaker. Apart from job displacement, it demands adjustment in many fronts including emotional, friends and social circle, traditions, family life, leisure time and so on.

Though, with the society becoming broad-minded, the ‘big picture’ of a woman’s life doesn’t change much after marriage. She still goes to her office, or finds an equivalent job in the new city; visits her old friends and is allowed to dress up in a contemporary style. But the adjustment is more in the routine parts of life, things that she might be taking for granted.

So, for all the newly wedded, or to-be-wives and bahus, here are a few suggestions that may help you settle down comfortably after marriage.

Habits
Even if that one hour of first meeting before marriage made you feel how similar your are, there will be differences! He might love to sleep with his entire wardrobe spread across his bed, while you like to see things in their right places. Tolerate and compromise. Clear off you side, or if possible his side too, if he doesn’t do it himself. And smile! Who knows, he might realise and start cleaning it up himself!

New people. Loads of them!
You might find yourself in the middle of a pool of new faces. Because you are the nayi bahu, everyone wants you to visit their houses. They will have a million questions and a zillion dishes ready for you, whether you like them or not. Your new family may be a lot more active, socially, than your maika. But if it is getting to your nerves, discuss your problems with your husband. Tell him that you have a time constraint or it becomes very tiring to attend to the guests every so often.

Expectations. Loads of them!
Expectations rise as soon as you complete the seven circles around the holy flame! And you will have to live up to them. Be patient and be responsible. Start planning your schedule for the day, and if need be, tell your husband to help you. With time, you will learn how to deal with the everyday responsibilities as well as the long-term expectations of your family.

Marriage may not be easy, but it brings with it a big bundle of love and happiness that you will enjoy only when you are ready to adjust to your new world, patiently.