The other thing I would say, is give up fixing things. Women hate that. It makes them feel like you're not listening. Instead, read the link that Cadet posted on Validation. Then read it again. Then memorize a couple short phrases,and use them, things like "I can see how you would think that." or I can see how you would feel that way." or "That must be really hard for you." Then say them when your W says something that might ordinarily annoy you, make you defensive, or make you want to fix something for her.
I will give you an example. Last week I was washing dishes, specifically, I was washing a tupperware container. W comes up and says "You and [stepson] are always doing that kind of stuff - using my good tupperware for the wrong stuff. Those are for vegetables, you can tell because there's vegetables printed on the side of them." I looked at her and said "I can see how you would think that." She gave me slight grin and walked away. Small words. No apology. Big victory. If I knew that years ago, I would not be here.
Married 15, Together 17 M: 59, W: 57, SS: 28 BD: 12/21/2017 My 1st M; W 2nd M