It’s not unusual to have doubts about the strength of your marriage from time to time, especially if you’re going through a “rough patch” or the dynamics in your relationship seem to be shifting.
There’s a bi-annual uptick in new divorce filings that hits every August, and it’s understandable if you’re a little concerned that your spouse may already have one foot out the door. How do you know, though, if the recent problems you’ve had are a storm that you and your spouse will eventually weather or a sign of worse things to come? Here are three possible signs:
Your spouse seems to prefer it when you’re not around
If your spouse seems unusually accepting that you’re spending your free time somewhere without them, you may have good reason to be concerned. It’s possible that they simply don’t want to be around you right now until they sort through some feelings – or they could be using the time you’re away to make plans for alternate accommodations, talk to someone about their divorce plans or even pack up important documents and personal items.
Your spouse has a friend or family member who has recently divorced
Believe it or not, there is such a thing as “divorce contagion.” When someone’s close friend or relative gets a divorce, the odds that they’ll also seek a divorce goes up about 75%. While there’s no definitive reason for the trend, it’s generally believed that a divorce in one’s close social circle can make everybody connected start to reevaluate their own relationships.
Your spouse suddenly seems to be spending more time with friends
When someone is about to unmoor themselves from their primary social support (their spouse), it’s only natural for them to start thinking about their other relationships. They may reach out to old friends and start rebuilding connections, spend more time with their family members alone or even seek out new hobbies and private social contacts (especially if you have mostly “couple” friends).
If you really have doubts that your marriage is going to survive, it may be wisest to learn more about the divorce process here in Texas in order to better protect your interests, just in case.
