By Meredith Gordon, Mom.me
Monotony
Some people like to eat the same food every day, some don't. The same applies to marriage. A bored husband or wife is also a husband or wife who might want a change.
Differing Interests
For the first few years of marriage, most couples are happy to embrace their spouse's love of football or obsession with horse back riding. But with time, couples get hobby fatigue and want to do their own thing. For some couples, having separate interests totally works. But for others, it's a sign they're growing apart.
Addiction
Longterm addiction can wear down even the strongest of relationships.
Bad Choice Of Spouse
They say love conquers all, unless you were never in love at all.
Growing Apart
Sometimes, a marriage fails simply because the couple grew apart and couldn't grow back together.
Change Of Values
Over time one person in the marriage may change his or her values—ones that the other had counted on as a foundation in the marriage. With a change in values, some feel their partner has totally and completely changed without repair.
A Loss Of Physical Attraction
Let's face it: With time, our physicality changes. Sometimes, that change isn't always for the better and can cause one partner to be less physically attracted to his or her mate.
Not Enough Focus On The Marriage
It's great to have hobbies, outside interests and ambitious career goals, but when those things take one too far away from focusing on the relationship, hobbies and interests can be just the thing to chip away at a marriage.
Too Much Focus On The Kids
Kids, especially little ones, can take all of one's time and energy. But when it starts to feel like you're married to your kid and not your partner, it's a good sign you're focusing too much on the kids and not enough on your spouse.
Holding A Grudge
Married couples often go through rocky periods, in which some forgiveness is needed on either side of the relationship, But when one says they've forgiven the other and really hasn't, holding that grudge can chip away at the marriage and lead to divorce.
Family Discord
It's not always that one gets married and falls in love with their entire extended family, nor they with you. Familial discord or a rift with the in-laws can be a slow road to divorce.
Lack Of Trust
It's hard enough to build trust in a healthy relationship. But once that trust has been broken, it's very hard to get it back. And couples who don't trust one another have a very rocky foundation to stand on.
Not Knowing One's Self Well
In order for a marriage to last, couples have to be willing to grow and change together. But when one spouse doesn't know his or her self well, or isn't willing to self-reflect, the other will undoubtedly keep growing without his or her mate.
Loss Of Faith In Your Spouse
Over time, a spouse who has seen their partner make the same mistakes over and over again might lose faith in their spouse's ability to better themselves. Eventually, that can lead to one wanting out.
Partner's Lack Flexibility
No, not that kind of flexibility. When one or both partners in the marriage are rigid in their goals, expectations or plans, that inflexibility can lead to a chasm in the relationship that can't easily be repaired.
