5 Ways to Know If Its Time for a Divorce
Maintaining a healthy marriage is a difficult proposition, but deciding to end one can be even more complicated. Balancing your emotional and physical desires to leave your husband or wife with the pressure of sorting out finances and dealing with custody agreements can be a frightening prospect. While the only person that can decide for certain whether it's time for a divorce is you, there are a few warning signs that demonstrate that your relationship is in serious trouble.
Other People Are Reading
-
Infidelity
-
Everyone makes mistakes, but a cheating spouse is likely to cheat again. Beyond the fracture of trust that occurs when a partner cheats, there are also the underlying causes of his infidelity. If your spouse is cheating on you, it means he's not getting something he needs out of the relationship. Sometimes this can be repaired; other times divorce is the only way to protect yourself from his indiscretions. This is also true if you are cheating on your husband -- you need to think about the reason for the behavior and whether or not it can be fixed.
Abuse
-
Abusive relationships are often the most difficult ones to end. If your spouse is emotionally or physically abusive, it is especially difficult to find the courage to demand a divorce. However, if your husband or wife has a pattern of abuse, it's time for you to move on. Abuse situations often escalate over time and you're putting yourself at risk by sticking around. Talk to friends and family for emotional support and safety if you are the victim of abuse.
-
Resentment
-
Marriage is about compromise. Your spouse will do things you don't like, and you likely do things that he doesn't like. In order to maintain your relationship, both of you have to be willing to accept the other person's faults. If you notice that instead of letting little things slide you're building up a slow resentment for your spouse, this is a good indicator that your relationship is in trouble. This loss of respect and growing frustration can eventually build into a full-on conflict, but can often be addressed through marriage counseling.
Goal Changes
-
When a couple is young, they often have the same goals. Many couples look forward to buying their first house, having a child and building a family. However, as the years go on, one person in the relationship may find that his goals change dramatically. For instance, you may find that you have a desire to leave your job and start a new business, or that your husband doesn't share your motivation for constantly improving your finances and living situation. If you cannot agree on mutual goals for the relationship, it may be time for things to end.
Sexual Frustration
-
It's a sad truth that there may come a time when you are no longer attracted to your spouse. When this occurs, you may find it difficult to muster up any passion for him, both in and out of the bedroom. While these problems can often be solved with a little creativity, sometimes a physical schism develops between two people that simply cannot be repaired. If the thought of touching your spouse repulses you it's a clear warning sign that your marriage is in dire straits.
-
