New couples, whether it's a couple that has just gotten married or a pair of people who have recently begun dating, can often make mistakes that can make their union difficult and even potentially threaten it. In many cases, you won't even realize that you're doing anything wrong — and you may even be trying to improve the situation between the two of you. If you notice that you've made any of the following mistakes, you'll definitely want to call a marriage counselor for advice. Often, just a session or two can be enough to put you on a happier path with your significant other. Here are three mistakes that new couples can often make.

Trying To Change The Other

People who are in new relationships will often make the mistake of trying to change the other person. They may attempt to do so in a variety of ways. One spouse might be overt, blatantly asking the other person to alter his or her behavior. In other cases, someone may be passive aggressive, perhaps attempting to sabotage the other's habits so that he or she changes them. Regardless of how you approach it, trying to change the other person is generally a flawed idea. The other person can often resent what you're doing, and this can lead to relationship strife.

Forgetting Who You Are

In an effort to please their new partner, some people can forget the values that they hold dear. In the short term, this behavior might not seem problematic, but it can become an issue over time. For example, if you're a non-smoker but your spouse smokes, you might start to smoke just to enjoy some form of common ground. Eventually, though, you'll end up with a habit that affects your health, and you may be annoyed at the choice that you made to start smoking. In some cases, you might even blame your spouse for your decision.

Distancing Yourself From Friends

In new relationships, it can be common for one person to distance himself or herself from friends. You might be so infatuated with your new partner or spouse that you stop hanging out with friends. Even if you don't really mean to do so, you may find that you infrequently spend time with them and eventually a gap grows. Distancing yourself from your friends is a mistake because people need balance. While it's fun to spend time with your significant other, it's also important to spend time away from him or her and in the company of other people you care about.

If you're struggling in your relationship and want more tips to improve it, work with a local marriage counselor.