Most people are aware of the big, obvious threats to a long-term relationship, such as cheating, lying or addictions—but there are more subtle ways that a marriage can be slowly killed off.
Jean-Claude Chalmet, a couples and family therapist of 30 years’ experience, has seen couples reach a point of no return without the pair ever having a moment of high drama: the relationship has been gradually poisoned by behaviors that have become habitual. “A romantic relationship that remains joyful, rewarding—and lasts—requires effort, compromise and resilience,” he says. “Negotiating the inevitable challenges and frustrations of long-term marriage in ways that protect and respect the bond requires skill—and emotional maturity.”
