Fairytales depict marriage as an everlasting happily ever after, but reality paints a more nuanced picture. Divorce rates, while showing signs of decline, still hold steady, and a surprising number of splits occur in marriages that once seemed happy. This begs the question: if a couple appears content, why might they end their union?
At the end of the day, even the happiest marriages are not immune to the pitfalls that plague turbulent and otherwise unhealthy relationships.
Shifting sands: Life’s unforeseen turns
Even the most compatible couple cannot predate the curveballs life might throw at them in the course of their marriage. Sometimes, these might be a crack in the foundation of a seemingly happy marriage, and the couples would be clueless until the cracks start getting bigger and unignorable.
Furthermore, something as random as a job loss, illness or the death of a loved one can create immense stress and strain even the strongest bonds. Couples who haven’t developed effective coping mechanisms find a harder time to cope with life’s curveballs.
Their communication may completely break down, making the storm ahead of them seem impossible to weather. When a couple isn’t equipped to solve the issues they are facing, emotional distance can cause them to gradually drift apart to a point of no return.
The comfort trap: Falling out of love
When couples get married, many assume that they need not date each other anymore. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth because it can cause their happiness to morph into a comfortable routine.
Even though every marriage can use some level of stability, a lack of excitement and passion can lead to feelings of unfulfillment. Without dating, a couple can lose the spark that drew them to each other in the first place. Gradually, a once happy couple can become stagnant, and the embers of their love may slowly turn to ash.
For couples who have gradually drifted to a point of no return, the thought of divorce can be heartbreaking. However, when there’s a certainty that there’s nothing that can revive a marital union, divorce might be a necessary way to save a once-happy couple from evolving into a toxic one. With the appropriate legal guidance, such couples can chart a way forward that is healthier and happier than the path they’re currently traveling.
