People who want a divorce but choose to stay, tell us your story

Not all marriages end in a happily ever after. Some unhappy couples break up, and others stay together due to some unique circumstances. Divorce may not be a feasible option for everyone, even if it is desirable.

Maybe you and your partner have fallen out of romantic love after fifteen years of marriage. But because you function so well as roommates and co-parents, you have decided not to go through the expensive and exhausting divorce process. Since you are not happy as a couple, you both have decided to date other people for romantic fulfillment. It’s not a conventional arrangement, but since you want to avoid paying legal fees and explaining everything to your friends and family, this is the best thing you can do.

Maybe you’re stuck in an unhappy marriage because you realized you’re queer, but you subscribe to a religion where that is heavily frowned upon. You are afraid to live authentically and you are married to someone who provides you with financial and emotional stability. You’re afraid you might break their hearts, and you’re afraid of being shunned by all your friends and family so you don’t get divorced.

Or perhaps you are part of a religion that does not condone divorce for any reason. Your partner cheats on you all the time and he doesn’t care that it hurts you. They know you’re basically stuck in the marriage, so they do whatever they want. You feel miserable, but you know that if you leave, you risk losing everyone and everything you know and love.

If you are in a marriage that is not making you happy, but you are not planning to divorce, we want to hear your story. Tell us in the comments or share your story anonymously via this form for a chance to appear in one BuzzFeed Community after. We appreciate your vulnerability and courage in sharing your story.