10 Signs Your Marriage Is on the Rocks

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Ending a marriage is a life choice that is profoundly personal and includes an impartial and challenging self-reflection. If you’ve been happily engaged for a past couple of years, it is a natural thing for the shared desire to vanish suddenly.

Preferably, a couple would try marriage counseling before they make any final decision to split. It is a disturbing thing, especially when you begin the preparation stage. Calling lawyers, making copies of financial papers, and the fear of being isolated and lonely, are just a few of the everyday things you are going to go through if you decide to make an end to your married life.

It is challenging to introduce a list of warning signs for partners as proof that marriage is over.

What does it mean marriage on the rocks?

Marriage on the rocks” is a colloquial expression used to describe a marital relationship that is facing serious difficulties, conflicts, or challenges. It suggests that the marriage is in a precarious state, much like a ship in stormy waters on rocky shores, and may be at risk of breaking down or ending. This term is often used to convey that the relationship is experiencing significant problems that need to be addressed and resolved in order to restore its stability and harmony.

marriage is on the rocks

Here are 10 warning signs that your marriage is on the rocks.

Lack of Communication

You and your partner are not expected to interact effectively at all times. Cleaning your mind of negative thoughts and emotions does not change anything. Be positive and share your ideas so that you and your partner can overcome these problems in the first place. Don’t assume that your partner understands the way you feel. This has to be openly discussed directly between both partners.

Marriage is not tenable and sustainable without social interaction and the exchange of opinions, feelings, and emotions.

When you don’t speak at one point, or feel you can’t talk to each other, then the chemistry goes away, and you become more like roommates, or even worse, strangers. If this develops over time, the bond progressively weakens, and you find it challenging to find common ground.

Lack of marriage communication can sometimes lead to divorce when nothing remains to be shared or talked about between two partners anymore.

Lack of Sexual Intimacy

If you are regularly indifferent to some intimacy with your partner, it might be time to reconsider your marriage. This appears to apply both to sexual intimacy and physical affection. Married people differ dramatically as to how often they interact in sexual activity. But if you don’t feel the passion for being physically and emotionally close to your partner, it might be a red flag that your marriage is on the rock.

Be careful to discern these emotions from distant feelings after fighting or arguing. After a dispute that gives rise to a range of negative thoughts, realize it may be perfectly natural not to feel sexually connected with your partner for some time.

You Don’t Do Things Together Anymore

At the beginning of each marriage, some of the best moments are to travel together, to spend quality time after work and on the weekends without kids, to explore new adventures and to share the wonder and joy of each other.

After many years, however, the desire to hang out together every week might fade away.

When two people choose to spend their spare time on their own or with someone else outside the marriage, it means they don’t care too much about spending time with their partner and don’t want to keep each other company. This generates a gap that can only get wider as the days go by.

Life Goals Aren’t Aligned

When a professional life or a newborn baby becomes a priority, your marriage and maintaining it to be happy and healthy is no longer at the top of your list. If your life goals are remarkably different from those of your partner, you may face significant difficulties.

But if you fail to make time for each other or understand the emotional desires and needs and best life of your partner, the gap gets bigger, and at last time the love disappears.

These are just a few life goals to consider. But if preferences with similar significant consequences do not match up, and neither of you has any flexibility, you may end up in a deadlock.

The longer that happens, the closer you get to face divorce and let go of an unhealthy relationship. Taking advantage of divorce counseling can save you during your divorce

Abuse

When one partner uses dishonest tactics to preserve control and power over the other partner, this type of behavior is called marriage abuse

Abusers use fear, guilt, disgrace, and harassment to put the victim down and keep them in place. Offenders typically share similar goals, such as financial gain or pleasure, psychological projection, resentment, or joy in the practice of influence and domination.

Various types of relationship abuse, including physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, may coexist. Relationships of sexual abuse may begin with verbal or emotional alterations that may continue to physical domestic violence. These types of abuse are a significant warning sign of an unhealthy relationship.

You’re Always Criticizing Each Other

When it comes to gauging the stability of your marriage, one telling sign is when you find yourselves constantly criticizing each other. Criticism, if left unchecked, can erode the very foundation of a relationship. It’s essential to recognize that constructive feedback is a healthy part of any partnership, but when it morphs into a continuous cycle of negativity, it’s cause for concern.

When you’re always on the defensive or ready to point out each other’s supposed faults, communication breaks down, and emotional distance widens. This pattern of criticism can lead to resentment and a sense of constant tension, making it challenging to resolve conflicts or connect on a deeper level.

To address this issue, it’s crucial to shift the focus from blame to understanding. Open and empathetic conversations can replace criticism, focusing on fostering an environment where both partners feel heard and valued. Remember, identifying this destructive pattern is the first step towards rebuilding trust and the first steps towards restoring the health of your marriage.

You Constantly Have the Same Argument

One unmistakable sign that your marriage might be on the rocks is the recurrence of the same argument. Every couple has disagreements, but when a specific issue or moment of conflict becomes a relentless and unending loop, it can signal deeper problems within the couple’s relationship itself.

Having to deal with the same argument repeatedly is not just exhausting, but it’s also a red flag for unresolved issues and a breakdown in effective communication. It often means that both partners and children are stuck in a pattern of blame, defensiveness, and misunderstanding.

To break this cycle, it’s crucial to address the root causes of the recurring argument. This involves open and honest communication, active listening, and a willingness to compromise. Seeking professional help, such as couples therapy, can provide valuable tools, support and guidance in resolving these persistent conflicts.

Remember that a healthy marriage involves growth, change, and adaptability. If you find yourselves trapped in a never-ending argument, realize it’s an opportunity to work together to improve your communication and strengthen your relationship.

There Is a Lack of Trust

A significant warning sign that your marriage may be facing serious challenges is the presence of a pervasive lack of trust. Trust is the cornerstone of a healthy and thriving marital and other relationship together. When trust in passionate relationship is absent or severely damaged, it can cast a dark shadow over the partnership.

Lack of trust can manifest in various different ways too, including suspicions, doubts, and skepticism about each other’s words and actions. It often leads to emotional distance, as well as difficulty in sharing vulnerabilities and opening up to one another.

Rebuilding trust in a marriage takes time, effort, and a commitment from both partners. It involves honest communication, consistency in keeping promises, and addressing the underlying issues that led to the erosion of trust in the first place. Seeking professional help, such as couples therapy, can be invaluable in the process of restoring trust and healing a wounded marriage. Remember, trust is fragile, but with dedication, it can be rebuilt, fostering a stronger and more resilient partnership.

You’re Having an Affair or

One of the most devastating signs of a marriage in crisis is the discovery of an affair. Infidelity breaches the core trust that underpins a healthy partnership. It’s a betrayal that can shatter emotional bonds and create profound pain and distrust.

If you or your spouse is involved in an affair, it’s essential to address the issue promptly and honestly. Healing from infidelity is a challenging journey that requires open communication, understanding the reasons behind the affair, and often, seeking professional help through couples therapy. Rebuilding trust is a lengthy process, but it is possible with sincere effort and a commitment to make things work and repairing the damaged relationship.

You’re Emotionally Relying on Another Person

Discovering that your spouse is emotionally relying on someone else is a concerning sign for any marriage. Emotional infidelity, much like a physical affair, can erode the trust and intimacy between partners. When one spouse turns to another person for emotional support, connection, sex, or intimacy, it can leave the spouse feeling neglected and disconnected.

Addressing your spouse’s emotional infidelity involves open communication and understanding the reasons behind this reliance on another person. It’s essential to rebuild emotional bonds with your spouse, prioritize your relationship, and seek professional guidance if necessary. Reconnecting emotionally can help mend the rift and strengthen your marriage, fostering a healthier and more secure partnership.

How do you fix a marriage on the rocks?

Fixing a marriage on the rocks can be a complex and challenging journey, but with dedication and the right approach, it’s often possible to rebuild a strong and healthy partnership. One effective step to consider is joining online couples counseling.

Online couples counseling offers several advantages. First, it provides a safe and structured space for both partners to express and talk about their feelings, concerns, and needs openly. A trained therapist can guide the conversation, ensuring that it remains productive and respectful.

Explore the best online marriage counseling platforms and strengthen your relationship! Don’t wait to invest in your partnership – find the support you need for a happier, healthier marriage.

Additionally, online counseling is flexible and accessible, allowing couples to participate from the comfort of their own homes and fit sessions into their schedules. Through counseling, couples can learn effective communication skills, understand the root causes of their issues, and develop strategies to address and resolve conflicts. It can also help rebuild trust, improve intimacy, and foster a deeper emotional connection.

Remember, healing a marriage on the rocks takes time, patience, and a willingness to work together. Online couples counseling can be a valuable resource on the path to recovery and renewal.

If you encounter these signs for an extended period of time, you should seek help from a professional marriage therapist or counselor. Regain from past marital problems and rebuild your lost marriage to inner peace and communication.

John S. - Editor in Chief
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