Not all couples stick together because they are in love. Circumstances force some to stay in a relationship when the romance dwindles, while others continue to share a life due to shared responsibilities. Of course, there may be more reasons.
But, living in an unhappy relationship is harder than navigating a happy one, as the latter comes with fewer challenges. A psychotherapist describes how a “day in the life of an unhappy couple” looks and you sure wouldn’t want to live it.
What a typical day looks like for an unhappy couple
When you’re happy and content in a relationship, there’s not enough time to live every moment of your life with your significant other. But things are different when you’re unhappy, says psychotherapist and relationship coach Deborah Krevalin.
If you’re wondering what a day in the life of an unhappy couple looks like: “They wake up and maybe they say ‘good morning’ at best,” she says.
They go on to do their own things; they get ready for the day, and possibly the partner who leaves first says “See you later. I’m leaving”. Maybe, “Have a good day.”
Deborah says, “More often than not, they don’t even announce they’re leaving the home. They just go.” Unlike happy couples who keep track of each other’s whereabouts or think of it as their duty to keep their partner informed, an unhappy couple has no contact during the day, according to the psychotherapist.
They don’t keep in touch the entire day to check on each other, let alone plan dinner. And would they know when their partner will be home? Not that either. “You arrive when you arrive.”
There’s no accountability for partnership
In a healthy relationship, couples aren’t afraid to take accountability for their actions. However, that’s absent when there’s an irreparable crack in your relationship.
They rather live like two known strangers under the same roof, doing what their heart desires, without taking into consideration the emotions and feelings of their partner.
Then comes the night, which is as lifeless as the day. “Usually during the night you’re reading or watching TV, probably not in the same room. And then you go to bed. Rinse and repeat,” Deborah says as she concludes her video.
Hiccups are not uncommon in romance, but a relationship is doomed to fail if issues can’t be resolved. In another TikTok video, marriage counselor, Kim Polinder, reveals the most common time couples break up during relationships.
Deborah is a certified psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience as the CEO of two businesses, fundraiser, designer, career advisor, therapist, and coach. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from American International College and is a Certified Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and expertise in Conflict Resolution and Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT).
