20 Bad Reasons to Get Divorced

I get it—marriage is hard. It stretches us, challenges us, and sometimes makes us want to walk away. There were moments I questioned if I had married the right person, if I had settled, or if something better might be waiting on the other side. And in today’s world, divorce feels easy to reach for—a quick solution to deep discomfort. But what if some of us are walking away for the wrong reasons?

This isn’t about shaming anyone who’s chosen divorce. It’s about helping those on the edge pause long enough to ask: Is this really the root of the problem—or just the surface?

You can read our other blogs here:

1. 100 reasons to get divorced
2. 100 reasons to stay married
3. 50 birthday wishes to a coworker

We don’t always need to leave—we sometimes just need to look deeper. Some reasons that feel valid in the moment may actually be built on fear, pride, or misplaced expectations. By reflecting honestly, we can tell the difference between needing a reset within the marriage—and walking away from something that might still be healed.

A bad, dumb or stupid reason doesn’t mean the issue isn’t real—it just means it may not actually require divorce. It might reflect a lack of communication, patience, or personal healing. These are reasons that may benefit from growth—not a goodbye.

20 Bad Reasons to Get Divorced

Because many people regret divorcing for reasons that could’ve been worked through. Because throwing away a marriage for temporary discomfort can lead to long-term heartache. And because not every hard season is a sign that the marriage should end.

• 1. You’re bored

Life isn’t always exciting, and relationships go through slow, quiet phases. Boredom is often a sign you need to invest more in the relationship—not abandon it.

• 2. You argue sometimes

All couples fight. Conflict is normal. It’s how you repair and grow that matters—not whether you ever disagree.

• 3. You think someone else would make you happier

That fantasy partner in your mind doesn’t exist. Every relationship comes with effort. Jumping ship for temporary chemistry won’t solve long-term issues.

• 4. You stopped having fun together

Fun can be rekindled. Marriage needs nurturing, creativity, and shared experiences. Don’t mistake stagnation for incompatibility.

• 5. You feel unappreciated—but haven’t said anything

Resentment often comes from unspoken needs. Before walking away, ask: have I clearly voiced what I’m missing?

• 6. You’ve hit a rough season

Grief, illness, job loss, new parenthood—these moments test all marriages. Don’t mistake external stress for internal failure.

• 7. You think change should be instant

Growth in marriage takes time. If your partner is trying—even slowly—be patient with the process.

• 8. You want different hobbies

You don’t have to like all the same things to thrive as a couple. Difference can bring richness, not distance.

• 9. You’ve stopped having sex

This can be heartbreaking, but it’s also often fixable with communication, therapy, and patience. Lack of intimacy doesn’t always mean lack of love.

• 10. You’ve both changed

Of course you have. That’s part of growing. The key question is: can you grow together, not whether you stayed the same.

• 11. Your partner isn’t romantic anymore

Romance fades sometimes—but it can also be rebuilt. Love languages change. Learn each other again.

• 12. Social media made you feel “less”

Comparison is toxic. Perfect Instagram couples are a lie. Don’t trade a real relationship for filtered illusions.

• 13. You’re not “in love” anymore

Love is more than butterflies—it’s commitment, care, presence. Emotional highs come and go. Steady love matters more.

• 14. You had one big fight

One fight—however explosive—doesn’t define the whole marriage. What matters is how you rebuild afterward.

• 15. You’ve both grown complacent

That’s a wake-up call—not a deal-breaker. Complacency invites reflection, not retreat.

• 16. You’re going through a midlife crisis

Sometimes, it’s not the marriage—it’s you. Personal restlessness should lead to inner work, not destruction of what’s stable.

• 17. Friends or family are pressuring you

Their opinions matter less than your truth. Don’t let others narrate your love story.

• 18. You want more freedom—but not more responsibility

Freedom isn’t found in leaving—it’s found in mature self-expression. Divorce doesn’t erase personal growth work.

• 19. You think being single will fix your loneliness

Loneliness doesn’t end with divorce. It ends when you reconnect—with yourself and those around you.

• 20. You want to “start over” without doing the work

Fresh starts are tempting, but they’re only meaningful if you’ve done the emotional work that led to this point. Otherwise, you’ll bring the same pain into the next chapter.

Stay If It’s Still Worth Fighting For

Marriage isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to be real. Messy. Evolving. And sometimes the “bad reason” that’s pulling you toward divorce is actually a sign that something within you needs attention, not the marriage itself.

If you’re questioning everything, give yourself the space to reflect—but also the courage to try. Fight for it if there’s still respect, still love, still possibility. Fight with each other, not against one another.

What to try before calling it quits

• Couples therapy or relationship coaching
• Honest, uninterrupted communication (no phones, no distractions)
• Reading a book together on marriage renewal
• Reigniting shared hobbies, intimacy, and friendship
• Addressing individual mental health with personal therapy
• Taking a short break with mutual agreement to reset perspectives

Don’t leave because it’s hard. Leave only if it’s harming you—and even then, make sure you’ve honored the truth of what’s possible.