12 signs a woman may be unhappy in her marriage

Marriages rarely shatter overnight; they fade as emotional distance grows, until love feels like it has died.

While over two-thirds of women feel optimistic about their relationships, a big chunk face ongoing struggles. Marriage.com emphasizes that emotional distance can quietly erode a marriage’s intimacy and connection, often without the partners realizing the extent of the gap until it becomes too difficult to bridge

That is, it’s no wonder women file for more than two-thirds of all divorces, frequently complaining that they’re tired, unappreciated, and that the love has died. Here are signs that a marriage is probably not going well.

Emotional Distance and Loneliness

According to Laura Doyle’s 2025 State of Marriage report, 41.9% of women highlighted emotional distance and loneliness as significant hurdles in their marriage. This isn’t just about spending time apart; it’s about feeling alone even when you’re in the same room. Imagine a wife trying to share exciting news about her day, but her husband barely looks up from his phone.

These small moments of disconnect add up over time, building a wall and a sense of separation that can contribute to deep feelings of isolation, now known to harm both mental and physical well-being.

Daydreaming About the Single Life or Divorce

Daydreaming about the rest of your life without your spouse is a significant warning sign. This isn’t something you think once on a bad day, but a recurring retreat into a world in which you’re single again.

They say this is a kind of psychological detachment, an early step away from a potential split.

Communication Has Broken Down

Divorce.com lists communication problems, including miscommunication and lack of communication, as one of the most common reasons marriages break down.

When conversations that should bring you closer instead push you further apart, or when you stop talking altogether to avoid another fight, it signals a deep crack in the relationship’s foundation.

Feeling Unappreciated

Unappreciated women often cite a lack of appreciation as a key source of unhappiness. Consider someone who is juggling work, holding down the fort, organizing family life, and feeling like an invisible operator.

When a partner’s labour and contributions are ever unnoticed, it can make him or her feel more like a household manager than a beloved match.

Physical touch and intimacy are out the window

Physical contact is frequently more powerful than words. A decrease in the amount of hugs, hand-holding, or even a casual touch to the arm can indicate a decline in emotional intimacy.

When a couple ceases to make these small, loving gestures, it signals that the deeper bond has begun to erode as well.

Stop Dreaming and Having Common Goals

According to eNotAlone, researchers say that couples who share future-oriented goals develop a stronger, healthier sense of “we-ness,” which in turn supports autonomy, connection, and relational well-being.

When a woman stops discussing future goals with her spouse, emotional disengagement in the relationship has likely begun to take hold. This was a concern for nearly a quarter of married adults in a recent survey. It’s an indicator that she doesn’t perceive her partner as someone she wants to include in her long-term plans.

Persistent Resentment or Bitterness

Resentment is a slow poison, not unlike drinking arsenic for a marriage. Unaddressed grievances and unspoken resentments can accumulate over time, forming a foundation of bitterness.

Couples trapped in a cycle of conflict or complete disengagement report the lowest levels of happiness. That lingering negativity also poisons everyday interactions, which keep things from even rising to the level of partial reconciliation.

Counseling Has Proven Ineffective

Couples counseling can be a valuable tool, but it doesn’t always yield the desired results. According to the “2025 State of Marriage” by relationship coach Laura Doyle, 67% of respondents reported no improvement from couples counseling. An additional 19% noted that any positive effects lasted for less than a year, meaning 86% did not experience lasting positive results from counseling in their marriages.

This may suggest that the root problems are deeper than what counseling can fix, or that one or both partners are no longer invested in making it work.

Feeling Overwhelmed by the Relationship

Life is stressful, and the challenges of taking the lead in any relationship can add even more pressure. Navigating an unbalanced partnership only amplifies the strain. When one person bears the brunt of housework and mental load issues, it’s hard to feel both overwhelmed and supported.

This disparity is a consistent pattern related to reduced marital satisfaction, as one spouse often feels more like an overworked employee and less like a teammate.

Engaging in Silent Divorce

According to Divorce Strategies Northwest, a “silent divorce” does refer to a couple that is still legally married but has lost the emotional connection and intimacy they once shared, where couples live together but are emotionally and mentally separate.

They can, of course, decide to maintain appearances for family or money’s sake, and they are leading lives parallel, if not perpendicular, to one another. Couples who find themselves in this stage don’t spontaneously reconnect without putting specific effort into doing so.

Loss of Common History or Shared Experiences

The little, everyday rituals are often the adhesive that keeps a marriage together.

When a couple no longer engages in activities they once enjoyed together, such as watching a favorite show or taking a weekend walk, it is a sign that their bond is weakening.

The Health Complications Associated with Relationship Stress

An unhappy marriage can have a significant impact on your overall health. The American Psychological Association (APA)‘s 2023 Stress in America survey found that women reported higher average stress levels than men. 

Persistent stress is a typical result of an unhealthy relationship and results in real, physical, and psychological symptoms.

Key Takeaway

Seeing these signs is the first step. And while they can be a sign that a marriage has suffered grave unhappiness, they don’t always indicate a marriage is over. However, instead, they highlight issues that require awareness, understanding, and, in some cases, professional help. Knowing the triggers of disconnection is key to determining what to do next, whether that’s working to repair the relationship or preparing to leave it.

The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love

The 15 Things Women Only Do With the Men They Love

Love is a complex, beautiful emotion that inspires profound behaviors. We express our love in various ways, some universal, while others are unique to each individual. Among these expressions, there are specific actions women often reserve for the men they deeply love.

This piece explores 15 unique gestures women make when they’re in love. From tiny, almost invisible actions to grand declarations, each tells a story of deep affection and unwavering commitment. Read on to discover these 15 things women only do with the men they love.