5 key signs that divorce is on the horizon.
Photo by cottonbro studio
When two people get married, they share the expectation that they will be together for the rest of their lives, but the unfortunate truth is that divorce has become increasingly common. It’s never a fun situation to realize that you and your partner aren’t right for one another after all the time that has been put into the relationship, but divorce is sometimes the healthiest solution for a failing marriage. Learn everything you need to know about spotting the signs that divorce is on the horizon.
How common is divorce worldwide?
While it may not be a pleasant thought to consider, divorce is actually quite common worldwide. Not only this, but the number of marriages occurring yearly worldwide has been on the decline since the 1960s. Specifically, the United States has a divorce rate of 2.5 per 1,000 people and the world has a divorce rate of 1.8 per 1,000 people.
This may not sound like a lot, but keep in mind that the average marriage rate per 1,000 people is only 5.1. This means that 40-50% of marriages are ending in divorce.
5 indicators of divorce to watch out for
Understanding when a divorce may be the best way to end a marriage is important as it can result in healthier future relationships. Each of the following five signs serves as a key indicator that divorce may be the best choice a person has:
You are constantly unhappy in the marriage
A marriage is supposed to be full of laughter and love and, while there will be difficult times, the good always outweighs the bad. However, being constantly unhappy in your marriage is a major sign that the marriage is not working. If a person finds themselves in this situation and is able to determine that their partner is the reason for their unhappiness, consider divorce may be the best option on the table. If you ask yourself the question how long does a divorce take or how much it will cost you, then divorce is really on the horizon.
You actively seek reasons to avoid your partner
One of the biggest indicators for establishing your marriage is ‘irretrievably broken’ is if you actively find ways to avoid your partner. This may take the form of pretending to be asleep, avoiding joining them of activities, staying late at work to avoid going home, and so much more. In a marriage, your partner should be a source of comfort and someone you want to spend as much time around as possible, rather than a nuisance.
You live more like roommates than partners
Another major sign that divorce may be a smart idea is if you find yourself living with a person who acts more like a roommate than a partner. This can take the form of only talking in passing, sleeping in separate rooms, only communicating when it comes to maintaining the home, and other similar way. A partner is just that: a partner. The minute a partner starts to feel more like a roommate, something has shifted in a platonic way and it may be difficult to switch it back.
You or they have changes priorities
An unfortunate reality of growing up and aging is that people’s priorities can begin to change. While your partner may have gone into the marriage not wanting children, as an example, it’s entirely possible that something may seriously change their mind. This difference in priorities may immediately strain the marriage and can potentially be impossible to overcome depending on the situation. While it can be frustrating, regardless of whose priorities have changed, it’s important to remember that no one is at fault as they cannot control when something changes.
Your loved ones urge you to get out of the relationship
Finally, if your loved ones have been urging you to get out of your relationship for some time now, yet you have repeatedly ignored their warnings, it may be a good idea to reflect on if they were correct. There are certainly situations in which the opinions of family members and friends should be taken with a grain of salt, but if everyone is saying the same thing then it may be worth looking at the why.
Make the right choice for your marriage
Avoid choosing to stay in an unhealthy marriage that only results in you and your partner developing negative feelings towards one another. Make the healthy decision to seek out a divorce lawyer to ensure everything occurs by the book and fairly so that you can your partner can split ways as amicably as possible.