Of the millions of Tennessee residents, a sizable percentage are in marriages or other stable long-term relationships. But not all these marriages and relationships are healthy, and there is a variety of ways that trouble or dysfunction can manifest. Oftentimes, a troubled marriage will end in divorce. But in some cases, the warning signs are subtler. One or more partners in marriages often engage in “quiet quitting,” and this behavior points toward serious issues.
What is quiet quitting?
The term “quiet quitting” first came into prominence concerning jobs and the workforce. In those terms, a person who is “quiet quitting” begins to do the bare minimum (or even less) of their job requirements, drawing a paycheck but not caring much about their performance.
In a marriage or long-term relationship context, quiet quitting is similar. A quiet quitting partner stays in the marriage but puts less and less effort into the relationship. They may withdraw physically and emotionally and assert more independence. In effect, the marriage is no longer an active, reciprocal union for a quiet quitting partner.
Signs of quiet quitting in a marriage
One of the more common signs of quiet quitting is a loss of interest in physical signs of affection. This can be lovemaking, or it can be simpler gestures like a kiss in the morning or before bed. For the quiet quitter, the spark that once was part of the marriage is gone, and the desire for physical expression of love has dwindled.
Another prominent sign of quiet quitting is a partner seeking more independence and activities not including their spouse. While the quiet quitter might have previously involved their partner heavily in their day-to-day life, now they may seek to carve out their own space and exclude their partner more and more.
Yet another sign may be increasing apathy on the quiet quitter’s part. In some cases, love can turn into hatred, but in the case of quiet quitting, the former love becomes more of a lack of interest or concern. If a partner no longer seems as interested in their spouse’s life or worried about their concerns, this can be an indicator of quiet quitting, which can quickly lead to divorce.
Quiet quitting in relationships refers to when one member of a marriage begins to disconnect from the relationship without seeking a divorce. Recognizing the signs of quiet quitting can allow you to identify it and potentially address it with your spouse.
