Not so long ago, a young woman came to see me. For a 25 year old, she was quite successful in her career but deeply unsettled about her relationship. She admitted she was unsure about her feelings and whether she truly wanted to take her relationship forward.
Her anxiety was affecting every part of her life, she struggled to focus at work, felt irritable, and was constantly on edge. Over a few sessions, we uncovered her fear: marriage terrified her. Committing to a relationship—and even considering kids—felt like too much for her at the time. She doubted if she was “marriage material” and worried how it would affect her freedom and dreams. To complicate matters, her partner was eager to settle down, which only added to the pressure.
This anxiety is increasingly common among young people today. Questions often arise:
- Will I have to sacrifice my career when I have children?
- Am I expected to give up my dreams?
- What if compatibility isn’t enough, and we end up like couples who divorced?
The truth is, no test can prepare us for all of life’s challenges. What makes the difference is how couples navigate those challenges—through teamwork, flexibility, and communication. Marriage isn’t about fixed roles or one person “helping” the other. It’s about sharing responsibilities, supporting one another, and building a partnership based on respect and love.
Marriage is not a trap or a sacrifice. It can be a safe space where both partners can thrive and complement each other. Balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing, every day, to walk side by side toward the same goal: a happy and meaningful life together.
