There are so many things wrong with the media’s portrayal of things.
It’s true that the media shows us things as they occur in the world, and without it, we wouldn’t have a global village, but I still think that the media’s image is biased and not completely correct.
For instance, marriage in the media.
Marriage is often portrayed as a “happily ever after” union.
But the reality is that relationships are complex and marriage-inclusive.
Sometimes, even when couples have the best intentions, marriages face troubles that may seem insurmountable.
And every marriage does go through challenges, even the strongest and most beautiful of them all.
However, there are specific patterns and behaviors that would tell you that your marriage is headed towards divorce.
Maybe you’re in a place where you feel like something is off in your marriage (probably the reason you’re here), but you might be suitable to trust your instincts.
Let’s look at these common signs that your marriage may be heading for the rocks.
7 Signs Your Marriage May Be Headed Toward Divorce
1. Constant Criticism
Before you discuss how criticism is necessary for growth, you must know that constant criticism can be very damaging in a marriage.
Let me explain why.
It is one thing to give constructive feedback; it is another to destroy your partner’s self-esteem with unending criticism.
Criticism that attacks the person rather than the behavior (“You never do anything right” vs. “It would be great if you could help more around the house”) is a toxic habit.
Over time, this negativity becomes a thief of security and respect in the marriage, eventually leading to a breakdown in communication and even the connection between you two.
2. Frequent Arguments Without Resolution
Every couple fights, but we will be clowns to say that a marriage is headed for divorce just because the couples fight.
Being a union of two different people, there is bound to be misunderstandings here and there.
We only have a problem when the couples always fight, and no workable resolution exists.
Couples who stay together in marriage must be able to resolve their conflicts as they come.
And as it comes, it is not fighting over one thing every other day.
Because if you’re fighting about one thing, it means it has not been resolved.
Having regular pointless arguments with your spouse is a negative pattern that usually results in feelings of frustration, hatred, hopelessness, and resentment.
A marriage with these levels of negativity is headed for its end.
3. Emotional Distance
Do you feel like you’re living with a roommate rather than a spouse right now in your marriage?
There are several situations where couples are married but single at heart and mind.
They may even live in the same house, yet they are farther apart than couples who live on different continents.
This situation is called emotional distance.
Emotional distance happens when partners stop sharing themselves with each other.
They stop sharing their feelings, thoughts, and experiences with each other.
And this is basically because they have lost interest in each other’s lives.
The connection that once bonded you and your spouse no longer exists, and it begins to feel like you’re living on the edge.
People are always seeking emotional closure; when they are not getting it in their marriage, they are most likely to look for it elsewhere.
4. Lack of Intimacy
I’m trying to determine what is more important in a relationship than intimacy.
This is one of the basic pillars that holds a marriage together.
We need to understand that the intimacy I speak of here is more than just physical connection—it’s all-encompassing.
Physical, emotional, and psychological closeness.
If physical affection in your marriage has decreased or vanished altogether, and both you and your spouse are not making any effort to rekindle that aspect of the marriage, you can tell that there are possibly deeper problems.
Something is wrong emotionally or psychologically.
A lack of intimacy in your marriage is both a cause and a symptom of marital distress.
You can tell that the drift is the result of an emotional or mental issue and that the bigger the drift, the deeper the issue.
It’s just a matter of time before they reach a point where they are unable to reassemble themselves.
5. Stonewalling
Stonewalling is that thing that happens when one partner shuts down during conversations or avoids discussions altogether.
This often happens when that partner feels overwhelmed or defensive and unable to hold a conversation.
No justification for this action can dilute its effect on a marriage.
It can be very destructive and should be kept at bay.
When stonewalling becomes a regular occurrence in your, it leads to communication breakdowns.
Each of you cannot approach the other with boldness or an assurance that you’ll be heard.
Because the other partner doesn’t want you to talk about problems.
And if you do not talk about a problem, how do you resolve it?
You need to keep the communication line open and honest, or else you’re setting your marriage on the path of divorce.
6. You Start Fantasizing About Life Without Your Partner
If you’ve reached this point, you need to seek urgent help, or you’re headed for rock bottom in marriage.
Is it wrong to think about what life would be like if your partner wasn’t in the picture?
Absolutely not.
But when you constantly think about life (especially now and in the future) without your partner, you should know that there is fire on the mountain.
Obviously, you are getting yourself mentally detached from the marriage even when you do not know this.
It is a sign that you have moved on in the marriage even when you’re still in it.
You’re already welcoming and preparing your mind for a real-life separation, so if it comes, you’ll already know your next move.
When your marriage is in this place, you can tell that it is heading towards an actual divorce.
7. Infidelity or Trust Issues
We’ve done a thorough research, and we discover that cheating is one of the leading causes of divorce.
Seeing as the divorce rate in the world is increasing by the day, it is safe to assume that the rate of people who are cheating in marriage is also increasing by the day.
But why?
Why are people cheating on their spouses?
And you know that it’s not the act that even causes all the fuss—it is that breach of trust that is really devastating.
And people who are infidels like to explain everything, hence the need to say this:
Even if physical infidelity hasn’t occurred yet, emotional affairs or constant suspicion and jealousy can severely damage your marriage.
Every marriage is built on trust; when it is breached, you’ll break bones before rebuilding it.
So, if your marriage has an unresolved infidelity or trust issue and you’ve decided to leave it at that, your marriage is on shaky ground.
You must know that the presence of one or more of these signs in your marriage doesn’t always mean that it must end.
Many couples experience these challenges at some point in their relationship, yet they are able to overcome them and emerge even better and stronger.
The difference between yours and theirs is whether you and your spouse are willing to acknowledge the problems and work together to resolve them.