According to a recent study, 64% of Americans say they’re happy in their relationships or marriages. However, within the fraction of those who are unhappy – many choose to stay married. There are various reasons for this – for example, they may stay due to the sense of familiarity and routine they’ve established with their partner, to ensure their family unit remains intact for their children, or because they’re worried about the financial implications of a divorce.
While it’s easy to understand the logic behind these decisions; the benefits of leaving an unhappy relationship far outweigh the negatives. Life is too short to limit your joy – and the sooner you realize this, the better.
With that in mind, here are just some of the reasons why it is better to get divorced than stay in an unhappy relationship.
- You’re taking a step towards your own happiness.
When you remain in an unhappy relationship, you’re putting a limit on your own happiness. Over time, this could also have a drastic impact on your mental health, as you’re ignoring your needs and desires in favor of maintaining the sense of normality you’ve constructed through your marriage and relationship. For example, those in toxic relationships are more likely to report high levels of stress and anxiety, and may even be more prone to low moods and depression.
These consequences are the result of neglecting our happiness when attempting to keep the status quo. While change can be scary, it’s also liberating. After all, once the divorce proceedings are complete, you’re free to embark upon a new chapter of your life. It can give you the time and energy you need to fall back in love with yourself, to practice self-care, or to simply live a little more freely.
- You’re setting the right example for your children.
According to a recent study, nearly half of married couples are only staying together because of their kids. This is built upon the archaic belief that the only functioning family unit is one where both parents are together, living in the same household. However, the truth is, the best environment for your children is a happy one – whether that involves co-parenting, shared custody, or the introduction of step-parents and step-siblings.
If you stay in a relationship purely for the sake of your children, they are likely to pick up on the fact that their parents are unhappy. For example, you may be more inclined to fighting or bickering – and while you may try to do it when children are not around/listening, they are more perceptive than you realize. According to a recent study, there are many negative side-effects of children witnessing parents’ arguments, including “sleep disturbance and disrupted early brain development for infants, anxiety and conduct problems for school children, and depression and academic problems for older children and adolescents”.
Your decision to put up with unhappiness as opposed to making a change could impact the way in which they approach relationships in adulthood. As such, a peaceful divorce can be a great way to set a positive example for your children, especially if you work on supporting your ex through co-parenting.
- The Divorce Process Does Not Have To Be Turbulent.
Sometimes, the reason why unhappy couples fail to divorce is that they worry that the process will become turbulent – fueled by a desire to “go after” each other in court. As such, they often fear that getting a divorce will be hard to handle both emotionally and financially. However, the truth is that most divorces do not belong in court, and it’s entirely possible to separate peacefully and without fuss.
For example, a DWD Provider can help you and your partner separate on amicable terms, reducing your worries and the financial costs of getting a divorce. They’re on hand to help you through every step of the process, whether you’re working on custody arrangements, the division of assets, or simply want to get the legal proceedings over and done with.
By approaching divorce from this mindset, it’s easy to see the benefits. You can maintain a sense of respect for your ex-partner, while also realizing that it’s time to move on. This gives you both the chance to pursue happiness elsewhere, with no hard feelings involved. Get in touch today to find out more.
