When You’re Not Happy Married, But Not Sure About Divorce

What do you do when you’re not happily married, but don’t know if divorce is the answer? Here are a few things to consider when you’re confused about your marriage.

Here’s what one reader says:

“My husband and I have been married for almost six years, together for eight,” says Says A. on When You Feel Alone in Your Marriage – Emotional Disconnection. “We’ve been through a lot over the past year and almost divorced, he then changed his mind and wanted to stay. It was all a sudden surprise, and since then it has been a struggle. He loved me and doesn’t want to leave me but he wants to be with other women and can’t decide. I can’t trust him any more. Our sex life doesn’t exist. I can’t take the going back and forth about what he wants. It’s crushing me. What should I do?”

If you’re unhappy in your marriage, you need to figure out what YOU want, not what HE wants. You need to put yourself first – and you need to find a way past your fears, doubts, insecurities, and isolation.

The Four Factors: Should You Stay, Go or Improve Your Relationship?  is one of several really fantastic books on Amazon about whether or not you should stay married. When you’re not happy married, you need to get in touch with what you want and need from your marriage, then find ways to get it.

If your marriage can’t provide what you want (and need!), then you need to think about taking the next step.

When You’re Not Happy Married, But Not Sure About Divorce

Here’s what another reader said, on the same article:

“I have been married for almost 6 years now and we have 2 beautiful children,” says H. “He has a 17 year old daughter from a previous marriage who hates my guts. I am not too fond of her, either. My husband and I have lost all sexual intimacy. I am a law student and a stay at home mom. He wants me to quit school and not work and he also doesn’t like ANY of my friends or relatives. I have no social life and have lost my sense of self…I feel very alone and like he is trying to trap me. He hangs out with his friends secretively or comes home reeking of alcohol, he breaks every promise he makes to our kids and me. I don’t want to give up any more of myself and I shouldn’t have to. I want to stay together for our kids and because I think I still love him. I am very lonely, and this makes me scared to leave him because I don’t know if I can do this by myself. I also don’t want to take away the only father figure my kids have just because I’m lonely – I don’t want to punish them for my feelings…help!”

These women are alike in so many ways, and seem to be wrestling with confusion, uncertainty, and unhappiness. I can’t tell them if divorce is the answer, but I can give them (and you!) a few things to think about…

Remember that feelings of love come and go – and so does sexual intimacy

Happy marriages take work. Sometimes you love your husband with all your heart; other times you want to wring his big fat neck. This is normal – and so is not feeling loving and gushy all the time. Real marriage isn’t like the movies, my friends.

The part-time pastor of my church is also a part-time marriage therapist; he often talks about how unhappy he and his wife were before they went to counseling. Even therapists need help creating happy marriages! Why? Not because they’re hard to be married to, or they’re high maintenance people…but because being happily married is hard work.

Just because you’re not happy married doesn’t mean divorce is the answer. It means you have to figure out if you can be happy in your marriage, or if you need to set yourself free.

Also – make sure you haven’t bought into the most common myths about happy marriages.

Be honest: is your husband willing and able to work on your marriage?

It’s one thing for him to want to stay married, but it’s a whole ‘nother beast to actually work at being happily married! Is he willing to meet you halfway by reading relationship books, going to marriage counseling, connecting with you physically and emotionally, and being there for your kids? If not, then you need to decide if that’s the type of marriage you want to live in.

I always hesitate to suggest marriage counseling because it’s such a pat answer, but it can be so effective! An objective professional therapist can help you. He or she can point out what you may be missing, help you get on track, and give you tools to rebuild a happy marriage. A counselor can also help you see if divorce is the answer to your current unhappiness.

Consider a trial separation

Sometimes we need to take a step away from our relationships in order to see them more clearly. When we’re in the midst of the hustle and bustle of daily life and marriage, we barely have time to take a breath – much less figure out if divorce is the answer!

If you feel confused and trapped, consider asking your husband to move out for three months. The time apart may give you both time to think, and may help you figure out if you can be happy married to each other.

For more food for thought, read Should You Leave Your Husband? Help Deciding What to Do.

Are you unhappy being married, but don’t know if divorce is the answer? Comments welcome below…

Tags: confused about divorce, featured, saving your marriage

Category: Love, Solving Problems, Stages of Love