Matthew McConaughey believes that a marriage shouldn't be an incessant chorus of "alright, alright, alright." In fact, the Oscar winner contends that it's "humanly impractical" for a married couple to remain in the honeymoon phase forever. "The honeymoon is all about hope," he explained to host Jay Shetty on the Jan. 12 episode of the On Purpose podcast. "The honeymoon is merely a phase of perfection. It's all about being up in the air." And for Matthew—who married Camila Alves McConaughey in 2012 after six years of dating—it's "unfair" to always be "seeking perfection" in a relationship. "That's a tough nut to handle when you project that on someone," the 56-year-old shared. "Neither one of you can live up to it." He continued with a chuckle, "And this is not a popular statement with my wife, but—maybe I'm too practical about love, maybe I'm not romantic enough about it—I don't see how the honeymoon period lasts forever."
Instead, Matthew thinks a marriage should be like a "30-watt bulb," where the light should be "dim." "Not as bright, but it'll last longer and it's more realistic for you and her," he added. "It's more human and it's still lovely."
So, how has he and Camila, 42, lasted this long? According to the Magic Mike alum, a successful relationship takes more than just love. "You vow to love each other in say, a marriage for instance—and it's through sickness and health until death," Matthew said. "My love isn't in question, that doesn't mean it doesn't take maintenance."
That's why he will often do "little things" for Camila—with whom he shares kids Levi, 17, Vida, 15, and Livingston, 12—to show that he's not taking their marriage for granted. "It can be a thought and a choice you make," Matthew explained, sharing how he'll always pour an extra cup for Camila when he's brewing his morning tea. "Was that work? No. Is that delay gratification for the relationship? Yes."
By emphasizing the importance of maintenance and the practicality of love, Matthew McConaughey underscores the need for couples to appreciate and nurture their relationships beyond the initial excitement of the honeymoon phase. His advice to pour an extra cup of tea may seem insignificant, but it exemplifies the small acts of kindness that can go a long way in fostering a strong and lasting marriage.
