Devin Jacobs
No one expects their love story to end in heartbreak. Yet, some habits push even the strongest couples apart. The signs often appear too small to notice until it’s too late. Here’s what many couples do wrong and how these everyday patterns erode even the deepest commitments.
Ignoring Small Problems Until They Explode
It starts as a tiny annoyance, leaving dirty dishes in the sink, forgetting a “good morning” kiss. You brush it off, thinking it’s nothing. Then, resentment builds. One day, a simple question turns into a shouting match. Problems don’t fix themselves. Couples who address issues early stay together longer.
Letting Phones Replace Connection
Dinner used to be a time for laughter and stories. Now, it’s filled with scrolling, notifications, and half-hearted nods. When screens steal attention, relationships suffer. Genuine conversations become rare. The strongest couples put their phones down and make their partners feel seen and heard.
Don’t Expect Your Spouse To Read Minds
“He should just know what I need.” “She should understand why I’m upset.” Expecting a partner to read your mind leads to frustration. Silent expectations create silent wars. Instead, spell what you need, what you want, and how you feel.
Prioritizing Work Over The Relationship
Deadlines pile up, and late nights at the office become normal. Meanwhile, the marriage quietly suffers. Work matters, but so does your partner. If you want to have a lasting relationship, protect your time together like an important meeting because it requires due attention.
Don’t Hold Grudges Instead Of Healing
Arguments are normal, but holding onto them is dangerous. One unresolved fight turns into a history book of past mistakes, each page filled with things never forgiven. Do better, choose peace over proving a point, learn to let go, and move forward together.
When You Stop Showing Appreciation
Over time, the small thank-yous and thoughtful compliments start to fade. That “thanks for the coffee” or “you look great tonight” quietly disappears. But when appreciation slips away, so does the sense of being seen. Keeping gratitude alive—even in the small, everyday moments—reminds your partner that they still matter to you.
Arguing To Win Instead Of To Solve
We’ve all done it – turned a disagreement into a competition. One sharp reply leads to another, and suddenly, it’s not about the issue anymore. It’s about being right. But in marriage, that mindset slowly chips away at trust. What do the couples who last do differently? They pause, listen, and care more about resolution than being the loudest voice in the room.
Don’t Let Intimacy Slip Away
It doesn’t disappear all at once. It’s the slow fade – the quick goodnight instead of a kiss, the shift from cuddling to collapsing into bed. Days get full, energy runs low, and before you know it, the closeness you once had feels like something you have to schedule. The good news is that intimacy doesn’t need a grand gesture. A moment here. A touch there. It adds up.
Choosing Silence Over Tough Conversations
You can feel something’s off, but neither of you brings it up. Maybe it’s fear of a fight – or not knowing how to say it. So you wait. You shouldn’t, though. Break the resistance by talking, even when it’s uncomfortable. Bring issues to light before they turn into deal-breakers.
Don’t Let Friendship Slip Away
Before “I do,” you were best friends. Remember those inside jokes, spontaneous adventures, and late-night talks before life got busy? Of course, bills, kids, and routines took over. What can you do but keep the friendship alive? Make time out to play, and never stop enjoying each other’s company.