These worrisome signs suggest your marriage isn’t as strong as it should be.
Divorce later in life is more common than you might think, and it often doesn’t happen overnight. If you’re over 50 and want to protect your marriage, there are warning signs you need to watch for.
Here are 15 red flags that could signal trouble ahead—catch them early, and you might just save your relationship.
1. You Avoid Difficult Conversations
If you’re sweeping important issues under the rug, it’s a big red flag. Not addressing what’s bothering you only creates distance over time. Ignoring problems won’t make them go away—it’ll just make them bigger.
2. Intimacy Has Disappeared
When the physical connection is gone and neither of you seem interested in rekindling it, that’s a sign of trouble. Physical closeness is more than just sex; it’s about affection and bonding too.
3. You’re More Like Roommates Than Partners
If you feel like you’re just cohabitating instead of truly sharing a life together, this is a warning sign. Living parallel lives with no emotional or romantic connection can lead to deeper issues.
4. You’ve Stopped Talking About the Future
A healthy relationship involves dreaming together and planning for what’s ahead. If you find yourselves no longer discussing future vacations, retirement plans, or even weekend activities, it’s worth paying attention to.
5. Resentment Is Building Up
When little annoyances turn into major resentments, it’s a slippery slope. Holding onto bitterness, even over small things, will eat away at your relationship if left unchecked.
6. You’re Constantly Criticizing Each Other
Criticism, especially when it feels personal, is a big sign of disconnect. If the tone of your conversations has shifted to negative and nitpicky, it’s time to reassess what’s really going on.
7. You Prefer Spending Time Apart
Everyone needs their space, but if you’d rather be with friends, at work, or even alone instead of spending time with your spouse, that’s a clear sign your bond may be weakening.
8. Emotional Affairs Are Starting to Happen
If you or your partner are seeking emotional support from someone outside the marriage, even if nothing physical has happened, it’s a major red flag. Emotional affairs can be just as damaging as physical ones.
9. Financial Secrets Are Piling Up
Money problems are one of the top causes of divorce. If either of you is hiding spending, keeping financial secrets, or not being transparent about money, it can erode trust fast.
10. You’ve Stopped Having Fun Together
Remember when you used to laugh, joke, and have fun as a couple? If those days feel like a distant memory, it might be time to figure out why the joy has faded from your relationship.
11. You Feel More Unsupported Than Supported
Marriage should feel like a partnership. If you feel more alone, unsupported, or like you’re handling life’s challenges by yourself, that’s a serious concern. Support and teamwork are key to long-lasting relationships.
12. Constant Arguing Over the Same Issues
Everyone argues, but if you’re fighting about the same things over and over with no resolution, it’s a sign that deeper issues are being ignored. Repetitive arguments can drain the life out of a marriage.
13. Your Priorities Have Shifted
If your focus has shifted from your relationship to your career, hobbies, or even your kids—without any effort to balance things—it could signal that your marriage is no longer a top priority.
14. You No Longer Fight At All
On the flip side, not fighting can also be a red flag. If you’ve stopped caring enough to even argue, it may indicate emotional withdrawal or apathy toward the relationship.
15. You’re Thinking About Life Without Them
If you’re daydreaming about what life would be like on your own or with someone else, it’s a major signal that something is deeply off. Fantasizing about life post-divorce is often a precursor to making it a reality.