Marriage is a journey filled with ups and downs, a beautiful fusion of love, commitment, and partnership. However, just like any journey, there may be times when the road gets bumpy. It’s crucial to pay attention to subtle signs that may indicate your better half might be navigating through a rough patch of unhappiness. While every marriage is unique, certain common signals could serve as red flags says Shivani Sadhoo in this blog.
What are the major signs that show a man is unhappy in his marriage?
Leading Couples Counselor in India, Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares some of the major signs that indicate a man is unhappy in his marriage.
1. Avoids Being with You
Is your husband consistently avoiding quality time, often arriving home late or extending business trips? When you are together, his mind wanders, feeling more like obligation than connection. Perhaps you inadvertently pushed him away. He prefers chatting with others and making weekend plans without you. He likes engaging in activities rather than being with you. You are no longer a part of his weekend plans. If so, these signs could point to underlying dissatisfaction.
2. Communication Gap
If a man becomes unhappy in his marriage, he might gradually cease sharing daily activities and small details that were once a routine part of conversation. This shift could stem from perceiving such discussions as inconsequential. Effective communication is vital for a thriving relationship, and when a man withdraws, avoiding meaningful talks and emotional openness, it may indicate a problem. Sudden alterations in communication, like avoiding discussions about the future, could be a warning sign of underlying dissatisfaction.
3. You Don’t Laugh Together
If you two don’t laugh together, it may indicate a lack of comfort in each other’s presence. Laughter is a sign of a healthy, loving relationship. If attempts to share laughter are met with silence, there might be growing tensions or divergences between you. It’s crucial to understand the reasons behind the absence of shared laughter to address any underlying issues. Relationships can be perplexing, and if laughter is missing, it may signal a need for communication and resolution.
4. Loses his temper over small things
When your husband constantly overthinks, it can create stress and irritability in your relationship. If he becomes quickly irritable, resorts to sarcasm, trivializes concerns, or ignores you, it may indicate unhappiness. Watch for signs of emotional distance and coldness, as these behaviors suggest he may be discontent in the marriage. If your man seems constantly on edge, reacts disproportionately to minor issues, or displays a short temper, it could be a sign that he’s grappling with unhappiness within the marriage. Recognizing these signs is crucial in understanding if your husband is genuinely unhappy in your relationship.
5. Lack of affection and intimacy
A man’s unhappiness in marriage may become evident through subtle cues like avoiding physical intimacy, displaying grumpiness, or neglecting acknowledgment of your presence. The absence of spontaneous affection, such as surprise back hugs, indicates a significant change. These shifts may be gradual and unnoticed, but a decline in physical closeness often reflects emotional distance. If your husband demonstrates disinterest, disengagement, or lacks enthusiasm in intimate moments, it could be a sign of underlying marital distress, highlighting the need for exploration and communication.
6. Criticism
When was the last time your husband praised your artwork, thanked you for solving his problems, or said “awesome” for a dish you prepared? In a loving relationship, compliments are a daily routine, making you feel like the center of his world. When your partner is happy, everything you do seems amazing to him, and you become the most important person in his life. On the flip side, if a guy is unhappy in his relationship, he tends to criticize and complain about everything his partner does. It becomes challenging for him to find pleasure or contentment, and no matter how hard the wife tries, he is always ready to point fingers and express dissatisfaction.
7. He’s not Happy for You
When your partner doesn’t show interest in your achievements or support your goals, it may signal unhappiness in the marriage. Married couples should be there for each other, even if their goals differ. Lack of support or efforts to sabotage could indicate issues. Talk to your partner to understand what’s going on—jealousy, feeling threatened, or a decline in love may be factors. It’s crucial to address the situation and communicate openly about the relationship.
So, now that you are attuned to the subtle yet telling signs of a man’s unhappiness in marriage, it’s crucial to approach these cues with sensitivity and openness. Don’t let your marriage drift into further disconnection, instead work together to revive the warmth and joy that initially brought you together.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
