As the new year, the new decade looms, many of us find ourselves thinking of resolutions to make that improve ourselves. But what about making new year’s resolutions to improve your marriage?

Whether it’s things that you work on as a couple or things you resolve to do yourself, here are five ideas for marriage improvement in 2010:

Be kind – It’s as old as the hills but oh, so true; we tend to treat our friends and coworkers and even the grocery store bagger better than we do our spouse. Resolve to keep the barbed comments in check, to say something nice when you really want to say something snide, to compliment instead of complain.

Be wise – It’s easy to turn a blind eye to things that make us uncomfortable. Whether it’s addiction, out of control spending, bad career choices or health issues; sometimes we have to take a deep breath and confront a difficult situations. If there’s something you’ve been ignoring about yourself or your spouse, now is the time to take steps to towards getting on track.

Be romantic – Whether it’s leaving him love notes, sending him suggestive texts or planning a fabulous getaway; find tangible ways to work more romance into your relationship.

Be open – The daily grind often puts us into a stoic routine of work, school and home life. Thinking about the future, beyond what we put into our 401(k)s, often eludes us. Do you or your spouse have a dream that seems utterly impossible? My husband thinks it would be grand to drive a truck (think “18 wheels and a dozen roses”) around the country, with me by his side and a cozy cabin in the back that fits just the two of us. I have balked at this for years because I don’t see how we could ever do it. But, it doesn’t hurt to let him have his dream, to be open to the idea and to imagine that someday, it could be possible.

Be good to yourself – We are better people in general when take care of ourselves. For some this means a daily exercise routine for others it means a bubble bath and glass of wine at the end of the day. It can also mean taking time to reconnect with friends over lunch or coffee or to find a hobby that gets you out of the house for a few hours each week. Whatever “be good to yourself” means to you, find a way to work it into your day or week or month so that you can recharge. It helps you and it helps your spouse.

What about you? What do you resolve to do better in your marriage in 2010?

More great ideas for New Year’s Marriage Resolutions -

• Project Happily Ever After: New Year, New Marriage – 12 marital resolutions worth keeping
• Marriage Diva: Marriage Resolutions
• Families.com: New Years Resolutions Your Marriage Can Keep
• WebMD: 21Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ Without Saying a Word

photo credits: Clip Art from Microsoft Office Online