This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Neighbor News

It's Not "Too Late" to Save Your Marriage. Divorce Isn't Going Anywhere!

Do you think it's "too late" to save your marriage? Experienced Brooklyn marriage coach Sara Freed explains why you are wrong.

One spouse wants the other to change a behavior. They ask and ask. They wait and wait. But their spouse doesn’t make the change.

Talk about frustrating. And hurtful.

But then it happens! The spouse finally comes through. They fulfill their spouse’s request. This is great, right?

Find out what's happening in Brooklynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Is the other person thrilled? Excited? Blissfully happy?

Nope. They’re cold. They’re distant. Because they’re done.

Find out what's happening in Brooklynfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Huh?

“Too late,” they say. Their spouse had plenty of chances. Changing now is just too late.

But why? What does that mean? “Too late” for what?

When you marry someone, it’s a lifelong agreement. And while there are times when a relationship just can’t be saved, this usually isn’t one of them.

Why? Because the issues that caused problems in the first place are being actively worked on.

Let’s pretend your marriage is a car for a second. One of the doors doesn’t close correctly. You tell your spouse you won’t drive it until he gets it fixed. But for some reason, he just doesn’t do it – for months. It’s really frustrating.

Then you tell him about your frustration. He notices you aren’t driving the car. And he takes action. He brings it to the shop. Problem fixed.

Would you drive the car again? Or would you say, “Too late! Now I need a whole new car!”

Hopefully the former. It doesn’t mean the situation is totally resolved. Other issues with the car might exist. And you should probably have a conversation with your husband about why he delayed. But he did fix the specific issue. He’s trying.

What “too late” really means is that you’re frustrated he took so long. That he – arguably – ignored your needs. That you mentally prepared yourself for the relationship to be over, and this new wrinkle doesn’t fit with your expectations. It doesn’t fit with your plans.

But what is that, really? It’s pride talking.

We all make mistakes in relationships. We all do and say things that hurt our spouses.

If he’s actively working to fix a problem, isn’t it worth it to try to work with him? To give your marriage every possible chance to be repaired?

After all, divorce isn’t going anywhere. You can get one now, in six months, or in six years.

As long as both of you are willing to work, there’s a good chance your marriage can be saved. It may just mean that both of you have to swallow a bit of pride.

Rooting for you!

Sara Freed

www.SaraFreed.com

Sara Freed is a professional relationship coach based in Boro Park, Brooklyn, NY. Learn more about her onwww.SaraFreed.com or by emailingsara@sarafreed.com

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?