If you find yourself in a rocky marriage, you’re not alone. As many as three out of four couples have struggles, and as many as half admit to considering divorce at some point. Before you jump straight into filing for divorce or legal separation, however, it’s helpful to take some things into consideration.
If there’s any glimmer of hope in your mind that you might be able to make things work, then you should certainly consider it. Take a look at some of the important things to consider before calling it quits for good.
Therapy
A lot of people throw their hands up in the air and assume that all is lost. However, you’d be surprised to find that therapy can be incredibly effective. While it’s natural to have moments of anger or desperation, it is possible to turn things around in your relationship with the right tools.
A professional therapist can help you find ways to communicate more effectively so that you can avoid fighting or miscommunications.
Dating
Sometimes the secret to getting back to a place that you seem to have lost sight of with your partner is to get back to the courting stage. When we’ve been in a relationship with someone for a long time, we may have forgotten how to do things like laugh or flirt with each other.
Before you decide that all is lost beyond reparation, try doing something as simple as going on a date. Spice things up a little and see if you can find that spark again. Turning toward your partner instead of walking away may be the key to saving your marriage.
Get Physical
Ask yourself why you want to get divorced. In many cases, it’s because couples feel like they’re no longer physical with each other. They’ve lost sight of how to hold hands or kiss. If you haven’t been physically affectionate with your partner in a long time, you should consider whether that may be coming into play.
Try to make an effort to use physical touch to reconnect. If it feels strange at first, that’s normal. It may take a while to get used to being physical with each other again; however, with a little practice, it may be just what you needed.
Communicate
When was the last time that you sat down and talked in-depth about everything with your partner? Being forthcoming about what you feel can build up a bond that feels broken. Being vulnerable invites your partner to do the same. Communication is an essential part of a happy marriage. Before you end things with the person you promised to spend the rest of your life with, consider whether it may be a communication problem.
