A divorce is a painful process, but unfortunately, many couples are quick to file all the paperwork and never see each other again. You may have already read the statistics about how many couples in the United States get divorced, but you shouldn’t let it cloud your judgment. Many couples are able to push past their differences and make things work, and a therapist in Tysons Corner, VA can help.
If you suspect a divorce may be coming, you have two options: Just let it happen, or commit to your relationship and put in extra effort to make your marriage work. But before you make a decision, you need to understand the true cost of a divorce, and you need to understand the real warning signs of an impending divorce. Read on to learn more about how a divorce can affect you, and see how a therapist from Lindsey Hoskins & Associates can do for you.
What is the True Cost of a Divorce?
It’s no secret that a divorce is costly and painful. When a divorce finally happens, your family life will be shattered. You won’t be able to see your children as often as you’d like, and you won’t be able to share the same home you’ve built together. If you and your partner decide to part ways, there’s no guarantee everyone will be adults about the situation. Your ex might try to take everything from you, or you might try to take everything from your ex.
A divorce should be a last resort. It’s not as simple as signing a few documents – it goes much deeper. If you and your partner decide to get divorced, you risk alienating yourselves amongst your social circle, and creating an unstable and unpredictable future for your children.
What are the Warning Signs?
It’s rare for a divorce to come out of nowhere. There are oftentimes warning signs that are overlooked, and it’s important to be aware of these signs so you can be proactive and take the right course of action. If you and your spouse have been experiencing more than just a few rocky patches, you should be on the lookout for some of the following:
Stonewalling: Having arguments is normal. Having too many arguments can be problematic. But having no arguments at all when you both feel unhappy with each other can be a major red flag. If neither of you are committed to communicating, things will only get worse. And if they get worse, your relationship gets closer and closer to a divorce.
Lack of intimacy: You don’t have to be intimate all the time, but if you’re realizing a sudden dropoff in physical contact, there might be issues brewing under the surface. People’s sex drives change as they get older, but if you feel a certain spark has been lost, it’s important to see what you can do to rekindle your relationship.
Contempt: Feeling contempt or disgust towards your partner (or being the target of your partner’s contempt or disgust) is one of the worst signs that a relationship is on the rocks. Contempt signifies a lack of respect, and disgust signifies an intolerance to even being in the same house as each other. It’s difficult to come back from feelings of contempt, and it’s more important than ever to reach out to a therapist who can help.
How Can a Therapist Help Me?
Divorce should be a last resort. Before you and your spouse decide to get a divorce, you should try to work together and save your relationship. A therapist can help toy communicate together, and with the help of Lindsey Hoskins & Associates, you and your spouse can find common ground and begin to heal.