10 Concrete Signs A Marriage Is Failing

Marriage doesn’t always last. Sometimes, the relationship runs its course, even though you said your vows. Here are the signs your marriage (or a friend’s marriage) is failing:

“Sleeping on the couch. I slept on the couch for a year because of insomnia. Got a divorce and my insomnia went away within what seems like days.” – LadyMcMustard

“The one thing to look for in bad relationships is contempt. This comes from Malcom Gladwell’s blink, where he talks about Dr. John Gottman’s work on relationships and marriage. Contempt means more than just being annoyed with someone. It’s deeper than disrespect. It is complete disregard to the level of disgust for the other’s attempt to be. Contempt means you feel yourself superior to your partner and feel no obligation to care about them. You’ll see it in these examples: a wife who won’t let her husband care for the children. A husband who insults his wife’s housework while redoing it. An eye roll behind their back. Passive aggression. Sarcasm. Jokes at their expense. Gottman’s research indicates that contempt can predict divorce with about 90% accuracy. This jibes with my experience.” — PAdogooder

“They flirt a lot. A lot of unhappily married people I know are quick to flirt with anyone who seems interested because they want to feel that spark again.” — FlatulentDwarf

“When they don’t laugh around each other at all anymore. I think laughter is a sign of a good relationship.” — gladiola111

“Just… bickering. Passive aggressive little digs and being generally annoyed with one another. It is WEIRD to me that so many couples I know just kinda pick at each other constantly. They just don’t seem to enjoy each other’s company at all.” — LizardPossum

“If they’re plastering social media with how HAPPY they are, and they’re SO IN LOVE, and THEY’RE GOING TO BE TOGETHER FOREVER, that’s a sure sign that things are in the process of going sideways.” — wilderlowerwolves

“Never wants to go home, doesn’t like bringing their spouse as plus one, speaking poorly of spouse, future plans sound more ‘I’ than ‘we’, and lack of excitement around the holidays.” — peaceatthebeach

“Lesser known symptom: working long hours habitually. I knew a guy that wasted tons of time in the office, but worked every night until 7:00 or 8:00 because he clearly hated his wife and daughters. Also works for people who spend all their time volunteering to get out of the house. They always complain about how busy they are, but they have no problem talking to you while working.” — pulpexploder

“They’re just always in a bad mood when they’re around their spouse. This was the case with my best friend. I had only ever known her after she met her spouse, and she was always so low energy, easily irritated, and generally unhappy, mostly around him. It was so much a part of their dynamic that I (shamefully) assumed thats who she was. After a nasty split, she’s become so much happier, lighter, and more herself. She started telling me about all the emotional abuse (and borderline physical abuse) after he was gone. I’m very happy and proud of her for getting out of it.” — eyebrowshampoo

“An occasional joke at their expense is one thing. My wife and I do it but you could really insert anyone’s name in the joke. But when they criticize their SO for the same, personal thing nonstop it starts to get telling. Like constantly telling everyone your wife is a bad cook.” — CaptainAwesome06