Marriage is a journey filled with highs and lows, but when the lows begin to outweigh the highs, many couples wonder if it’s time to keep trying or let go.
Divorce is a deeply personal decision, one that should be approached with clarity, honesty and care. Before making a final choice, it’s crucial to evaluate where your marriage truly stands and whether the challenges are insurmountable or still capable of repair.
Understanding the foundation
Ask yourself: Why did we get married? Were your motivations rooted in love, shared values and mutual respect, or in pressure, fear or escape? If your marriage was initially built on shaky ground, that may explain why things feel unstable now. However, even marriages that began with love can erode under sustained neglect, resentment or incompatibility.
Signs it may be worth saving
Some marriages experience seasons of disconnection that can be healed with effort and commitment. Consider staying and working things through if:
- Both of you acknowledge the issues and are ready to do the emotional work; there’s potential for growth.
- Healthy communication can be restored, even after conflict.
- Disagreements are normal, but alignment in your deepest values and future vision is still present.
All in all, ask yourself if you have tried everything yet. Have you sought therapy, taken space or invested in new tools to repair your bond? If not, it might be worth a final, focused attempt.
Signs it may be time to let go
On the other hand, there are warning signs that your marriage may no longer be healthy or safe to salvage. Any form of abuse is a clear signal to prioritize your safety and consider exiting. Additionally, repeated infidelity or deceit without real accountability erodes trust beyond repair. Lastly, if you’ve already grieved the relationship internally, you may just be delaying the inevitable.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether you should keep trying or file for divorce. It’s not just about staying married, it’s about staying well. Should you decide on divorce, enlisting compassionate legal support can help make the process as seamless as possible.