Toxic Habits: 10 Guaranteed Things Your Wife Really Hates

Toxic Habits: 10 Guaranteed Things Your Wife Really Hates is sure to strike a chord. As husbands, we can be loving, on point with our duties, affectionate, and spend quality time, but commit one of these habits and kill the vibe.

Have you ever experienced a great day, I mean a great day, and something small to you gets blown out of proportion, and you are left scratching your head? You wonder what just happened.

Well, you are not alone! Let’s look at 10 toxic habits that our wives are guaranteed to hate, and some helpful hints to try to break them. As you read this list of toxic habits, not all may apply to you. In fact, some of our wives are guilty of things on this list. Don’t get distracted. Focus on what applies to you.

1. Toxic Habit – Leaving the Toilet Seat Up:

Example: She wakes up in the middle of the night, stumbles into the bathroom, and…splash! The seat is up. It is a classic scenario. Now you are awake because you heard the yell.

How to Change: The ‘gentleman rule’ should apply. Always put the seat down, as it’s a small gesture that shows consideration.

2. Toxic Habit – Clutter Accumulation:

Example: Your workspace/office looks like a paper tornado hit it. You are perfectly comfortable with the chaos. You know where everything is, but every time your wife looks there, a volcano erupts in her head.

How to Change: Organizational skills can be learned. Invest in some organizing tools and declutter together.

3. Toxic Habit – Selective Hearing:

Example: You only heard part of the request that involved dessert. I don’t even have to remind you that when you do this, you communicate that she is unimportant and unworthy of your attention. It takes you the rest of the day to make up for that mistake.

How to Change: Active listening workshops or simply repeating what was said can improve communication. Be active and purposeful with this change. This could be a game changer for you.

4. Toxic Habit – Snoring Like a Chainsaw:

Example: You snore so loud that everyone in the house, with their doors closed, can hear you all night. Every morning, your wife’s eyes look like a cartoon character’s due to lack of sleep.

How to Change: Consider trying different snoring remedies, like positional sleep devices or white noise machines.

5. Toxic Habit – Lost Sock Syndrome:

Example: One sock is perpetually missing. The other sock is unraveling at the seams. You can’t find the match for one, and one needs to be thrown in the trash. Every time this happens, your wife’s blood pressure reaches a new high.

How to Change: Implement a sock management system. Intentionally place both socks in the laundry basket/hamper every time you take them off. Refuse to throw them in the pile of other clothes. Be determined and disciplined.

6. Toxic Habit – Procrastination Pandemic:

Example: Projects get postponed indefinitely, leaving a trail of unfinished business. How long is your “honey do” list? What is the average length of time items stay on the list? Your delays communicate they are not important to you, and your wife internalizes those thoughts.

How to Change: Create a shared schedule and set deadlines for tasks. Be strong! Just because your wife fails to complete her tasks does not excuse you from completing yours.

7. Toxic Habit – “Helping” Around the House:

Example: You decide to cook dinner but leave a mess to clean up. Your version of cleaning a room is moving the junk from one area and placing it in another area. Your wife is highly conflicted every time. She loves your effort but is seething about following behind you.

How to Change: Clean the kitchen as you go. Clean items right away. Also, have a clear idea of what is expected when you give assistance. Ask where things should go when cleaning up. Be specific so you can be successful.

8. Toxic Habit – Wardrobe Catastrophe:

Example: The 90’s look is your comfort. You struggle in this area. Your wife feels like she is stuck in a time warp when you go out in public.

How to Change: Let your wife help you! Stop being selfish and allow her to dress you sometimes, especially on date nights. She wants you to look nice to her.

9. Toxic Habit – Remote Control Domination:

Example: The remote control is your sacred artifact. Your wife has no say in the TV schedule. You make her feel really small compared to that remote control.

How to Change: Designate specific TV nights. Take turns choosing what to watch. The goal is unity. Spend time together watching mutually agreed programming. Stop being a hog.

10. Toxic Habit – Ignoring User Manuals:

Example: It took you 4 hours to assemble the bookshelf. After you glued some pieces together, you realize you forgot several screws to help stabilize it. You must decide the risk of tearing apart and breaking it vs. just leaving it unstable as it is. Your wife looks at you like you are crazy. How can she use an unstable bookshelf that may fall over at any time?

How to Change: If this is normal behavior for you, stop it! Set aside your pride. It is obvious you need assistance to follow directions. A greater problem could be that you refuse to follow your wife’s directions/instructions because of your ego. Think about it.

Conclusion

This list of toxic habits is not exhaustive. Ask your wife if she would add other things. Be open and receptive. Don’t get defensive or practice selective hearing. Work on the different ways you can show love. Work on being a better man!

Thoughts? Helpful? Let us know in the comments.