Dear Coleen, I’m a woman in my 30s and I’ve been married for eight years.
I haven’t been happy for a long time, but I’ve stayed to try to fix things and I’ve tried really hard to make the marriage work.
I don’t think I want to admit to myself that it never will, so I post all these perfect images of our life on Instagram, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
Nothing major has happened – no affairs (that I know of) – but my husband just doesn’t care enough about me and has no ambitions for our relationship in the future.
Now, we just don’t like each other. Please help.
Coleen says
If you’re looking for someone to tell you it’s OK to leave this unhappy marriage, then it’s OK to leave.
You haven’t failed, the marriage has failed.
And if you feel you’ve tried your hardest, then you can walk away knowing you did all you could.
Don’t beat yourself up for staying too long.
What would you advise this reader to do? Have your say in the comment section
Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter
I stayed in my first marriage for two years longer than I should have because I couldn’t bear the thought of failing and of my sons being from a broken home.
Counselling gave me the push I needed to make the move, so maybe you should give it a go.
Don’t be embarrassed about confiding in your friends – the right people will be there for you with open arms, offering you plenty of support.
