Marriage is a significant milestone for many, with 90% of individuals marrying by age 50. However, up to 50% of these marriages end in divorce. This highlights the challenges of maintaining a lifelong partnership. This guide offers practical advice on strengthening your bond with your partner, understanding when it’s time to part ways, and moving forward with grace.
1. Understanding Marriage and Divorce Prevalence
The reality that half of all marriages may not last highlights the need for couples to approach their union with clear expectations and a commitment to work together. This statistic serves as a reminder to actively cultivate and nurture the relationship.
2. Making Relationships Last Longer
To increase the chances of a lasting relationship, focus on open communication, mutual respect, and ongoing growth. Regular and respectful discussions about feelings, values, goals, and concerns can help couples navigate life’s ups and downs together. Moreover, finding the right balance between independence and togetherness is key.
3. Recognizing When to Let Go
It’s important to recognize when a relationship is no longer serving you. When attempts at resolution don’t bring positive changes, moving on can be the best option. Here are five points on when to let go:
- Persistent Unhappiness – When the bad days outnumber the good ones and this pattern persists over time, it may be a sign that the relationship is no longer working.
- Irreconcilable Differences – Fundamental disagreements on major life decisions, values, or goals that cannot be bridged despite efforts to compromise.
- Lack of Mutual Respect – When respect is lost and partners no longer treat each other with kindness and consideration, the foundation of the relationship is compromised.
- Continuous Unresolved Conflict – Constant arguing or disagreements without resolution can indicate deeper issues that are not being addressed effectively.
- Emotional, Financial, and/or Physical Abuse – Any form of abuse is a clear signal that the relationship is unhealthy. Safety and well-being should always be a priority.
4. How to Let Go
Ending a relationship is a process that involves acknowledging your emotions and allowing yourself to grieve. Support from friends, family, or professionals can provide stability. Focus on maintaining physical, not just mental health, as well as rediscovering personal interests to gradually rebuild a positive, independent life.
5. Embracing Personal Growth
The end of a relationship is an opportunity for self-improvement. Reflecting on the experience can offer insights into personal desires, values, and areas for growth. This period of self-discovery can lead to greater self-awareness and satisfaction, whether in solitude or in future partnerships.
Approaching with patience, understanding, and resilience can lead to fulfillment, regardless of relationship status. By prioritizing communication, recognizing when to part ways, and viewing each phase as a chance for growth, individuals can achieve a sense of peace and contentment.
6. Seek Professional Help
For couples facing persistent issues, or if you have troubles coping after a separation, seeking professional help can be an important step towards resolving conflicts and improving the relationship. Couples counseling, individual counseling, sex therapy, or family systems therapy are all valuable resources that can address specific challenges within the relationship. These therapeutic approaches can help partners communicate more effectively, understand each other’s needs and perspectives, and work through underlying issues. Whether it’s navigating communication barriers, intimacy issues, or family dynamics, Insight Psychological offers these types of services. If you live in Calgary, Edmonton, or anywhere in Alberta, we offer in-person and virtual therapy sessions. You can book here.
References:
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/experimentations/201705/12-keys-great-self-relationship-starting-now
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/irrelationship/201608/desperately-seeking-false-sense-security
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/experimentations/201804/how-complicated-breakups-shape-future-romance
