Many common issues can end a relationship besides cheating.
Taking Each Other for Granted
When one partner—or sometimes both—starts taking the other for granted. I’ve been on both sides. In one relationship, I was the one who took my partner’s compliments and kindness for granted, something I deeply regretted later. In my marriage, it was my ex-husband who stopped appreciating anything I did after a while. No matter how nicely I came home with a multi-course gourmet dinner, he eventually stopped praising or thanking me. Our relationship died a slow death from neglect.
Attitude
When he’s kind to every woman but talks to you like you’re a dog. I’ve seen this from women too: my ex-sister-in-law smiled warmly at everyone but couldn’t speak to my brother in a normal tone.
Money
My longest relationship lasted six years and ended because of money. I’ve always been careful with money—not stingy, but cautious—while my ex was the type to spend freely. We got together at 26, and this difference was manageable in our twenties, but after 30 it sparked many fights. He proposed, but I told him I wouldn’t marry someone who handles money so irresponsibly. I was afraid he’d waste our shared assets, so we broke up.
The Classic
I never thought my marriage would follow the usual script and fall apart, but it did. After our two kids were born, my husband didn’t help at home, which made me resent him and lose my kindness. Sex, joy, and attention faded away. After years of living as angry roommates, I filed for divorce.
Comparisons
My previous relationship was a great love, but I got tired of her constantly comparing me to her ex. He had a better car, a bigger apartment, took her to nicer hotels—and the last straw—was better in bed. Interestingly, after I showed her the door, she cried for months begging me to take her back.
Haunted by the Past
I tolerated for years that his ex-wife and kids came before me, because my ex would flash something every time I wanted to break up. First, he gave me a key to his place, then proposed a year later, married me the next, and when I still felt overwhelmed, he said he wanted a child with me. I wasted five years on a man who still gives all his money to his ex-wife (who doesn’t work and is basically supported like a princess), while she just snaps her fingers and he jumps. I believe not all men are like this, but I’ll never start a relationship with a man who has an ex-wife and kids again.
Success
When one partner gets jealous of the other’s success. At first, my husband seemed happy about my promotion, but as years passed and I became more successful, his feelings turned into resentment. I realized things couldn’t continue when I started feeling anxious going home, afraid to tell him about my raise.
Priorities
When his family always comes first, way ahead of you. I tried explaining to my ex-wife that we were a family now and important decisions should be made together—not based on his mother’s opinion—but she didn’t get it, so we divorced.
Without Communication
My ex-girlfriend handled arguments by walking away—leaving me hanging—and acting like nothing happened the next day. I told her many times this isn’t communication or problem-solving, and at 33, we should be able to talk things through, but she never understood.
Bruhaha
My fiancée never liked my sense of humor. At best, she’d give a half-smile or roll her eyes. I’m supposed to be funny—my previous girlfriends loved my jokes. I only realized she was with me for my money when a friend pointed out she laughed at everyone else’s jokes but visibly got annoyed at mine. When I confronted her, she didn’t deny it: she never loved me.
