Signs you’re stuck in a toxic marriage
MARRIAGE is supposed to be a lifetime commitment; many people envision a beautiful wedding ceremony with hopes of holding true to their wedding vows until death. But unfortunately sometimes, happily ever after is a fantasy that becomes less of a reality as the years drag on. Whether it is that the union no longer serves the individual or collective interests, or the marital home has become unhappy and suffocating, you begin to lose yourself, withering away into someone you no longer identify with. And that may be the time when things become toxic.
Denecia Green, author of Lies, Sex and Betrayal, shares six signs which may indicate that you’ve reached that point.
1. You feel trapped
Your spouse doesn’t want you to talk to friends or family or worse yet, you have to provide details of your whereabouts or what you are doing routinely throughout the day. He/she may also feel that they have the right to monitor your phone calls, text messages or just about anything personal that you engage in.
2. No sex
A sexless marriage is a doomed marriage, simply put. Sex helps to solidify the union between you both.
3. Infidelity
Chronic infidelity is often a sign that there is a loss of respect. This is especially true if it is coupled with lies or if the partner makes no attempt to acknowledge or change their sinful ways.
4. You find yourself crying all the time.
You have your emotions bottled up because your partner never allows you to truly express yourself. You may even find yourself feeling sad and crying all the time. This is probably a sign that you are at the brink of losing your sanity. Sometimes our subconscious emotions are so strong they simply work their way into our present so we don’t continue to ignore them.
5. You can’t remember the last time you were happy
You can’t genuinely recall the last time you looked at your spouse with a desire to rekindle that flame you experienced when you first met. If those feelings are replaced by anger, bitterness or the urge to hurt them, then you might want to take a step back and determine whether this relationship is helping or hurting you.
6. You fantasise constantly about leaving your spouse
If you are experiencing a feeling of relief and happiness when you consider a life without your spouse and you constantly fantasise about starting a life with someone else, then your mind may be telling you something. We’re all born with a “fight or flight” instinct, so when things get unbearable emotionally or physically, our natural reaction is to flee and get away from the pain.
