How do you know if you’re really ready for a divorce or not? After all, it’s a single decision that will turn your entire world upside down — so you want to be sure before you decide that you’re really done with your marriage.
Sometimes, the signs you’re ready for a divorce aren’t obvious — even when they’re right in front of you. To help yourself really focus your feelings and find some clarity, however, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Can you remember the last time your marriage was good?
If you can’t remember the last time you had a good time with your spouse, laughed over something together, or felt like a team, that’s a sign that your marriage is deeply troubled. Marriage is supposed to be a partnership. You may not hang onto the feelings you had when you first fell in love forever — but you should at least be happy to see your spouse at the end of each day and look forward to spending time together.
2. Do you still share your thoughts with your spouse?
Who is your number one confidante? If it isn’t your spouse, that’s probably a big sign of trouble. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your deepest thoughts and hopes with your spouse, that signals both a trust issue and a desire to insulate yourself away from your spouse in general. Neither bode well for your marriage.
3. Can you picture a future without your spouse?
If you can picture a life without your spouse and it seems like it would be appealing, that’s a big sign that your marriage is unhealthy. Make sure that your visions of a future without your spouse are realistic and not just fantasy. If they are, the odds are good that your marriage is on life support.
If you’re still not certain about your feelings, a therapist may be able to help you get more clarity. If you’re certain, however, that it’s time for a divorce, an attorney can help you protect your interests.