Reflections on Marriage in Uncertain Times

Over the years, I have learned there is no single reason a marriage ends. 

Not infidelity. Not money. Not parenting. Not communication. And certainly not because one person “failed.” Relationships are far more complex—and far more human—than that. 

In my work, I sit with people at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. What I see, again and again, is how deeply personal relationships are shaped by the world we are all trying to survive in together. 

In 2025, that world has felt especially heavy. Many of us are navigating economic uncertainty, rising healthcare costs, an education system under strain, and a profound lack of trust in institutions that once offered stability. We are tired, overstretched, and asked—often quietly—to do more with less. To be resilient. To hold it together.

At the same time, we expect our romantic relationships to be places of safety, connection, growth, and joy. 

That is not a contradiction—but it is a challenge. 

It takes extraordinary emotional awareness to show up compassionately for another person while also carrying the stress, fear, and grief that so many of us feel about our futures. 

It takes courage to look inward, to know ourselves honestly, and to recognize when a relationship is no longer aligned with who we are becoming. 

We do ourselves a disservice when we reduce the end of a marriage to a single narrative. The truth is quieter, and harder: people change, circumstances shift, and sometimes love must be reimagined—not as permanence at all costs, but as an act of integrity and compassion. 

At the end of the day, none of us are meant to navigate this moment—or our most intimate relationships—perfectly. We are meant to navigate them honestly. 

Whether a relationship endures or comes to a close, what matters most is that we move forward with intention, integrity, and care. For ourselves, for one another, and for the shared humanity that connects us, even when circumstances try to pull us apart. 

My wish is for more stable and reliable outcomes, led with dignity and humanity for us all in 2026. Have a safe and healthy holiday, with a look toward a more grounded and heart-centered year ahead. 

Warmly, 

Paige Zandri