

{"id":11479,"date":"2016-12-01T10:11:46","date_gmt":"2016-12-01T10:11:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=11479"},"modified":"2026-03-20T06:43:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T06:43:05","slug":"8-surprising-reasons-why-women-stray-from-their-happy-marriages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/8-surprising-reasons-why-women-stray-from-their-happy-marriages\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Surprising Reasons Why Women Stray from Their Happy Marriages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-11481 size-full\" title=\"Why Women Stray from Their Happy Marriages\" src=\"http:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/9-5.jpg\" alt=\"Why Women Stray from Their Happy Marriages\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It doesn&rsquo;t take a degree in rocket science to recognize that happy marriages don&rsquo;t just abruptly end.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In reality, marriages tend to unravel after a prolonged period of malaise and even denial. Generally, couples attempt to stick it out by placing additional emphasis on counseling and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/communication\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">communication<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, most couples can point to a moment or moments when things really reached the point of no return.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But here&rsquo;s the vexing thing. Sometimes <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/how-to-repair-your-relationship-when-your-partner-is-slipping-away\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">partners step away from happy marriages or healthy relationships<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These departures leave the other partner wondering, &ldquo;What just happened?&rdquo; In this piece, we look at some of the reasons women leave happy marriages. Do any of these apply to you?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on to know why women stray and when she stops caring in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-Perceived-lack-of-trust\"><\/span>1. Perceived lack of trust<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are times in which partners have their trust challenged by miscommunication and seemingly small disagreements. Surprisingly, the vitality of an otherwise happy marriage can hinge on a moment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A woman pulling away emotionally is a red flag in a happy marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For good or bad, otherwise healthy and happy marriages may be discarded because of a hunch.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-Mental-illness\"><\/span>2. Mental illness<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-33558 size-full\" title=\"Mental health can be the catalyst behind a partner&rsquo;s sudden departure from the relationship\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/They-don%E2%80%99t-care-about-your-feelings.jpg\" alt=\"Mental health can be the catalyst behind a partner&rsquo;s sudden departure from the relationship\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of us have struggled with the &ldquo;blues.&rdquo; When a woman pulls away, personality disorders, depression and the like can be the catalyst behind her sudden departure from the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/counseling\/5-warning-signs-your-spouse-is-depressed-and-what-to-do-about-it\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">depression<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a direct result of a loss and is acute in nature. However, there are times in which our<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/mental-health\/improve-mental-wellness-in-your-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> mental health issues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> reach far beyond depression.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diagnosable mental illness can not only derail the best intentions of the individual but can sully the entire trajectory of the existing relationship, even in healthy and happy marriages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Women &ndash; and men for that matter &ndash; can leave a marriage when mental illness disrupts healthy, positive thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Competing-visions\"><\/span>3. Competing visions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most unhelpful images yoked to the westernized ideal of marriage is this idea that the &ldquo;two become one.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The healthiest and happy marriages allow ample space for both partners to fully explore and embrace their visions for vocation, life, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spirituality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the like. However, there are times in which partners discern that their visions are competing visions. In as much, drifting apart occurs in the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a woman or her partner feel that their vision for the future is not compatible with the overall trajectory of the marriage, the marriage may come to an end.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-Children\"><\/span><b>4. Children<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not every married couple chooses to have children as part of their familial &ldquo;equation.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This childless dynamic is okay so long as all parties are on board with this approach. However, women often feel the tug of parenthood when their significant others do not. When there is this sort of incongruence in the relationship, a marital parting may be on the horizon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A house divided against itself cannot stand. In the same way, a disagreement on the &ldquo;kid or no kid&rdquo; issue can be a deal-breaker.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-Open-relationship\"><\/span>5. Open relationship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-43242 size-full\" title=\"Some couples create an agreement that allows for open intimacy\" src=\"https:\/\/image.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/What-to-Ask-Your-Partner-Before-Having-Sex.jpg\" alt=\"Some couples create an agreement that allows for open intimacy\" width=\"804\" height=\"350\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some couples create an agreement that allows for &ldquo;open <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">intimacy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&rdquo;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a great deal of trust is needed among partners who allow for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/romance\/romantic-gestures-how-to-express-yourself\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">expressions of sexuality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> beyond the relationship, the relationship will possibly suffer for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&rsquo;s the thing, trust declines when our attention is focused on more than one intimate partnership. Women in otherwise strong relationships or happy marriages may leave the relationship if they feel that their intimate partner is more attune to the extramarital affair than the marital bond.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6-Boredom\"><\/span>6. Boredom<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the human condition evolves, our discretionary time expands. Because technology and medicine often give us more time to devote to leisurely pursuits, we may choose to travel or engage in a variety of hobbies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But even as we pursue leisurely activities to keep things interesting, we may become quite bored with our existing relationship. Some women, as well as men, may feel like that their partner is not interesting or active enough to compel a long-term commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We may never fight with our partner, but we may <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/how-to-fight-boredom-in-your-marriage\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">become very bored with them<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Hence, some women move on with life without their current significant other.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7-Sexual-orientation\"><\/span>7. Sexual orientation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some couples are well into their married life when one of the partners realizes that they are attracted to members of the same sex. A partner may truly <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/love\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">love<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> their spouse while not being intimately attracted to the partner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When a woman (or man) acknowledges <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/sexual-attraction\/\">sexual attraction<\/a> to a person of the same gender, it may mean the end of the current relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/separation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">separation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and potential <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/divorce\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">divorce<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may be quite difficult, it may also be necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all seek authenticity if we are healthy. In the absence of this authenticity, we can spiral into self-doubt and depression. Being true to orientation can mean a relationship status change is appropriate.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8-Protection\"><\/span>8. Protection<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the title implies all sorts of options, the intent is singular. When she stops trying it is a sure-fire predictive sign that the woman is backing off in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are times that women (and men) step away from a good relationship because they see &ldquo;bad moons&rdquo; on the horizon. A health crisis, a terminal illness, and the like are all reasons a partner may walk away from a &ldquo;good thing&rdquo; or be driven to pulling away from a relationship because they want to protect their partners.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In our attempt to protect others from the issues we have encountered, we may do more harm than good.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-to-do-when-she-pulls-away\"><\/span>What to do when she pulls away?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When she pulls away, give her space and she may come back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, partners walk away from what should be a good thing. It&rsquo;s vexing, it&rsquo;s painful, but it happens. When it happens, it is vital for the partner on the receiving end of the bad news to be open to space while continuing to remain hopeful that reunion is possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strong communication is a must for happy marriages. And, ultimately, acceptance of whatever outcome is in the cards for the relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what to do when she becomes distant?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of looking for a quick fix on how to back off in a relationship, it is important to first give her space, make sure there isn&rsquo;t something that you&rsquo;ve done to upset her that you&rsquo;re aware of, and ask if she&rsquo;d be willing to go to counseling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We cannot make choices for our intimate partners if they are decidedly keen on pulling back in a relationship. We can, however, take good care of ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":""},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It doesn&rsquo;t take a degree in rocket science to recognize that happy marriages don&rsquo;t just abruptly end. In reality, marriages tend to unravel after a prolonged period of malaise and even denial. Generally, couples attempt to stick it out by placing additional emphasis on counseling and communication. That said, most couples can point to a moment or moments when things really reached the point of no return. But here&rsquo;s the vexing thing. Sometimes partners step away from happy marriages or healthy relationships. These departures leave the other partner wondering, &ldquo;What just happened?&rdquo; In this piece, we look at some of <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":675,"featured_media":11481,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[23],"tags":[2689],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11479"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/675"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11479"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118599,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11479\/revisions\/118599"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11481"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}