In the beginning, most relationships and marriages have a “feel-good” factor. However, the reality is that most couples have difficulties that they have to work through. This is part and parcel of being in a long-term relationship.
The feel-good factor should still remain, at least some of the time, but how a couple overcomes challenges really sets the tone for the marriage. Sometimes, couples are unable to overcome certain obstacles, which results in the marriage ending in divorce. Could your marriage be beyond saving?
Has the intimacy gone?
While the physical side of a relationship is important, intimacy is about much more than that. It also involves fondness of one another and empathy. A couple can get past difficulties with physical intimacy, but when fond feelings are replaced with resentment and bitterness, this can be more difficult to overcome.
Is abuse an issue?
There are few areas that couples can’t work on together, but abuse is one area that’s generally not up for debate. Emotional and physical abuse are safety issues, and the best option for those on the receiving end is usually to remove themselves from the situation.
Abuse can be physical, such as pushing, punching and kicking. However, it’s also worth remembering that abuse can be psychological and more gradual. An abusive spouse may wear away at their partner’s self-esteem by cutting them off from family and friends and shaming them in public.
If you and your spouse love one another and there is no abuse, then it may be worth finding ways to communicate and resolve problems. However, divorce is an option if you feel like you need to get out of there. Seek legal guidance to assess your options in more detail.