Honestly, it had barely anything to do with my partner or the marriage. Sure, he had his moments, but overall, he was a great husband, friend, and father. The problem wasn't not loving him; it was not loving ME. Once I got a taste of the validation of being 'adored,' I was hooked. It was like an addiction; I knew I needed to quit, but just couldn't get over it.
Stopping disagreeing isn't a sign of peace, it points to emotional withdrawal, explains Simone Bose, a relationship therapist at Relate. It happens, says Bose, because couples are likely protecting themselves from feeling disappointed or from conflict itself, but are becoming emotionally numb. Clinical psychologist and Couples Therapy star Dr Orna Guralnik agrees, noting that some people don't argue because they've come to a state of acceptance of who each other are, but some don't argue because they've given up.