Is your marriage falling apart? 5 warning signs you shouldn't ignore

Marriage isn't always smooth sailing, but there are those times when the turbulence is an indication of something far more profound. While rough patches may periodically arise, it is important to determine when your relationship requires some serious work. Here's a breakdown of 5 specific signs to note if you suspect your marriage may be having some trouble.

You are not having meaningful conversation

In any marriage, communication is key. If you are talking about anything other than the basic things that you did that day, or if you are having conversations that immediately turn into arguments and you never arrive at an agreeable conclusion, there is a big red flag.

Being able to communicate effectively involves more than just talking -it involves listening, understanding, and emotionally connecting. The most obvious indicators are if you are avoiding real conversation or if you are not truly hearing and understanding one another at all. This situation would warrant considering what obstacles might be preventing effective communication.

The most obvious indicators are if you are avoiding real conversation or if you are not truly hearing and understanding one another at all. (Credit: Freepik)

You feel emotionally disconnected from your partner

Emotional intimacy is fundamental to a healthy and thriving marriage. Going forward, if you are starting to feel emotionally distant from your partner, it likely means there is a deeper problem. Not caring about each other's well being, not caring about each other's day to day lives, or actually not caring about your partners well being, is a sign that emotional intimacy is waning.

Emotional distance can and often does leave one feeling quite lonely, even if both partners live under the same roof. When you are not emotionally leaning on one another instead of other family members or friends, something is wrong.

Physical intimacy is declining or is non-existent

Intimacy can mean a different experience for different people, but when there are so many hugs, kisses or even hand holding that are rare or fading it ought to be a cause for concern.

It may be easy to think of sex at some later date but if there is no physical contact that might even hint at sex there is likely a bigger issue when it comes to emotional intimacy. Intimacy should be a way to be emotionally and physically closer and when physical intimacy is fading, it is often a symptom of emotional distance.

You feel emotionally disconnected from your partner (Credit: Freepik)

Your partner only gives you negative feedback

A spouse constantly giving you criticism is extremely damaging to a marriage. Every marriage has its positive and negative aspects, but persistent harsh criticism can have lasting effects on one's self-esteem, and could breed resentment into your relationship.

If a spouse only sees your faults, and openly criticizes you for them, it may breed ungratefulness or misunderstanding. Positive feedback, encouragement, and praise are critical to healthy marriage. When this feedback disappears, you can be reasonably sure your marriage is in serious trouble.

Physical intimacy is declining or is non-existent (Credit: Freepik)

Trust issues are becoming more prevalent

Trust is the foundation of any marriage, and once it has been compromised, it is very difficult to repair. If you have had deception, secrecy, or infidelity in your marriage, the trust between you and your spouse may have been broken.

When trust is broken, it can be difficult, or uncomfortable to articulate the issues that are threatening to break down the relationship. Even small displays of mistrust, such as ridicule or judgment, or shaded countless doubts, can undermine a couple over time. If you are in a position not to repair trust, the relationship will likely erode even further.

Recognising these signs early can help you take action before problems spiral further. Marriage requires mutual effort, and if these issues resonate with you, it¡¯s important to address them head-on!