Six Warning Signs of a Marriage Going South

Communication breakdown is an indicator that a marriage on its way to divorce. It does not surprise me that more often than not, one partner in a relationship is caught off guard by the delivery of divorce papers. Here are seven sure-fire signs of your marriage going sour:

1. Do you live with a Stranger?
You and your partner spend hours together under the same roof living like room mates but do not have any meaningful conversation, pretty much co-existing in silence

2. Are you walking on eggshells?
Do you feel like your every action is being watched and criticized by your partner? Is everything you do not done correctly or are you always wrong? Larger relationship issues are often vented through excessive negative criticism or sarcasm.
3. Gossip about your marriage
Discovering information about your partner’s career, problems, or even their achievements through your friends or through overhearing your partner tell someone else.

4. Personal Appearance an issue?
You no longer care about how you look or your partner is not taking care of themselves, physically as well as presentation and hygiene.

5. DistractionsRUS
The television a constant distraction; or other distractions such as reading books, sudden need to do chores, gobs of work at home, etc. These are avoidance techniques. It is very common for individuals to create some excuse or activity to avoid dealing with the issues in the marriage.

6. Drama, Drama, Drama?
Are the arguments a routine, repeating the issues over and over again without any resolution?

Did you know that most couple wait 7 years to get relationship help? Did you know that counseling is not your only option? The stigma of counseling or therapy keeps couples from obtaining the help to save their marriage. Also, going to the church can be embarrassing for couples, so they avoid getting help. Relationship Coaching is an alternative solution that is about moving forward and the Coach does not have an agenda. They are there to simply serve you and your partner in saving your marriage and having you attain the results you say you want.

Marriages do not solve themselves so avoidance or delay harms the relationship more over time. You should bring up sensitive issues; but first take a communication course specifically designed for intimate relationships/marriage. If you want to save your marriage, then you must take a proactive role, not be afraid to rely on professionals to help you build a loving, collaborative, and peaceful relationship.

Here is a resource for you to help you determine if you should stay or go.

If it is too late, and you are clear divorce is the only option for you both, created for women also applies to men, here is a tool to plan and execute your divorce.