Sometimes, despite best efforts from both parties, relationships run their course and both parties end up unhappy with one another. Yet, a staggering number of unhappy couples choose to stick together, rather than break up. Let’s take a look at the most common reasons for doing so.
Fear of the unknown
When you’ve been with someone long enough, there is basic comfort and familiarity involved. You can predict what life holds, and what to expect going forward. So the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone and making a life for yourself without your significant other seems scary.
How to deal: Remember, being alone is better than being unhappy. Sure, it takes some time getting used to, but staying in this situation is just toxic. Seek help from family members and close friends who can rally around you and make the break lesser scary.
Low self-esteem
If you don’t feel good enough about yourself, you’re sometimes likely to think that your partner is doing you a favour by being with you, and you’re never going to find anyone who loves you the way he does.
How to deal: Instead of calling it quits, take a short break from each other. Move into a friend’s place, give each other time and space to think and experience if life without each other can be fulfilling.
Love and pain
While you may be unhappy with your partner, you may still be in love with them. The thought of losing that love and the pain it is likely to cause you, may decide to make you stay in that relationship.
How to deal: See if you can heal the relationship and mend it if you think there’s a chance for real happiness. If not, remember that the pain of breaking away from your spouse will heal, but the unhappiness of staying together won’t.
Expenses, kids and other technicalities
Sometimes, even though couples are unhappy, it is mere technicalities that keep them together. Kids, finances and societal pressure are just some of the practical reasons that unhappy couples choose to put aside their feelings and make a go of it.
How to deal: If you’ve decided to stay together, opt for counselling, and try and make things as pleasant as possible within the marriage. There is no point staying with one another and feeling sorry or regretful about it.
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