Some people dream about meeting the love of their life, falling in love, and settling down as soon as they witness their first romantic comedy. It’s not such a bad goal to have because the idea of walking down the aisle and having the happily ever after in all those fairy tale endings is like a dream come true.
But being married is more than showing off your white gold wedding band to the world and letting them know that you have found the love of your life. Marriage is a long-term commitment to your partner that you will be there for them through thick and thin, sickness and health, and whatever life throws your way.
Nowadays, it feels like people are getting hitched left and right without thinking about how much that decision will change their lives forever. Deciding to get married shouldn’t be done on a whim; it’s a deliberate choice that should be thought over because there can be serious repercussions.
In the United States alone, almost half of all marriages end in divorce or separation. Although there are many reasons as to why couples end up splitting, such as financial problems and domestic violence, a prominent reason is that they get married before they are prepared to make the big change. Here are three ways that marriage changes your life forever:
Your Personal Decisions Will Affect Other People
When you were still single, you could make personal decisions without worrying about how they will affect others. For instance, you can take a job that will require you to move across the country and only consider the factors that will affect you directly, like your moving expenses, housing situation, and the actual moving date.
But that won’t be possible if you’re married because you will need to make that decision with your spouse. Those are the kinds of decisions that you can no longer make on your own — without consulting your spouse’s opinion — because it can create a huge conflict.
That decision will have heavier repercussions if you already have kids because this will require you to uproot your whole family. If you make decisions without taking your family into account, it can spark distrust, create misunderstandings, and be a sign of divorce.
Your Financial Situation Will No Longer Be Yours Alone
Marriage is one of the biggest financial contracts you can make because you and your spouse’s assets, as well as liabilities, will become one. That means if you have outstanding debt to your name, your spouse will acquire it too, and vice versa.
The same goes for your personal assets like properties, investments, and other financial ventures. If you allow yourself to get swept off your feet without considering both of your financial situations, then it can become a reason to have a divorce later on.
Of course, there are prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements that you can make, but finances aren’t something that everyone is comfortable talking about. However, it’s a topic that you should discuss with your partner before you agree to get married.
You Will Be Responsible for Lives Other than Your Own
One of the main reasons why people get married is because they want to start their own families. If you see having kids as part of your future, you should know that becoming a parent will come with more responsibilities than being single.
Once you become a parent, you will be responsible for your kids’ lives too. Taking care of them won’t be like having a pet that you can leave with food and expect to be okay. Children have to be cared for 24/7 until they can stand on their own two feet.
By choosing to create life, you will be expected to care for and provide for their well-being. You can’t walk away from becoming a parent even when it’s hard, especially because neglect is a form of abuse that can tear apart families and endanger the lives of children.
Agreeing to marriage and starting a family — these are two decisions that will need careful consideration before making because they will change your life forever. You might think that you can always have a divorce if you decide that you no longer want to be with your spouse, but your kids can get caught in the middle of that.
No one knows what the future holds, but knowing what it can hold will prepare you to face whatever may come your way. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t get married altogether, but you should know that marriage is a huge responsibility that you are choosing for yourself, and as such, you will have to handle it like a responsible adult.
