I didn't take my husband's last name, and people are surprisingly judgmental. They ask what he thinks about it.

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Patricia Garrison and her husband smiling at the camera. He is wearing a button-up shirt and she is wearing a cream denim jacket.
Patricia Garrison didn't take her husband's last name when she got married.

Courtesy of Patricia Garrison

My group of close friends was made up of 2 couples and myself. When one couple split, I grieved too.

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A woman comforts her friend with a hug.
A woman comforts her friend with an embrace.

nattrass/Getty Images

I grew up in a cluttered house. Now, I feel satisfaction from donating things I don't use.

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Woman sitting on bed packing up donation box of clothing.
The author (not pictured) doesn't like to keep clutter around her house.

ArtMarie/Getty Images

I've been eating dairy-free for 15 years. I didn't expect it to affect my social life.

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Stephanie Claytor enjoying dairy-free ice cream at an ice cream shop.
Stephanie Claytor has found dairy-free alternatives to foods like ice cream.

Courtesy of Stephanie Claytor

My husband and I keep our finances separate and believe it's one of the reasons our marriage has stayed strong over the years

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Jen Glantz with her husband and baby smiling and looking at the camera in front of a silvery background.
Jen Glantz and her husband keep their finances separate.

Courtesy of Jen Glantz

When the wage gap between me and my husband grew, I quit my job to work part-time. I realized my non-monetary contributions have value, too.

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Amanda Garland and her husband standing outside and smiling, both are wearing sunglasses.
Amanda Garland started to feel insecure about what she was bringing to her marriage when her husband accepted a job with a significant pay increase.

Courtesy of Amanda Garland

I had to rent my house for extra income, and it forced me to declutter. I'm happier because of it.

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The author standing outside in front of her home in upstate New York.
The author was able to declutter her home with the help of a professional photographer.

Photo credit: Jennifer Muirhead

My husband and I were in a throuple with someone 16 years younger. Dating someone with such a big age gap caused issues.

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Julie Royce hugging her husband
The author, right, and her husband, left, entered a throuple together.

Courtesy of Ashley Love Photography

My husband and I try to spend as much time apart as possible. It makes us stronger.

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Ashley Archambault and her husband in front of water
The author, left, tries to spend time away from her husband, right.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

After my brother died, I felt guilty when experiencing joy. I'm learning to let go of that.

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A woman rests her head against. sunny wall, and closes her eyes.
A woman rests her head against the wall

Fiordaliso/ Getty Images

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