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Top Reasons Why Getting Married is a Terrible Idea — and Why I’ll Never Marry Again

You don’t need to tie the knot if you don’t want to! Just do you.

By Naya LizardoPublished 3 years ago 6 min read
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Most people believe that in order to be truly happy, they need to find a partner and settle down. They think that marriage is the key to happiness and security. While it is true that marriage can offer both of those things, it is not the only way to find them. There are many singles who are happy and secure without being married. In fact, some people find that they are happier and more fulfilled when they are single. They enjoy the freedom and autonomy that comes with being single and don’t feel the need to rely on another person for their happiness.

I have been happily divorced for over seven years and over time I have become increasingly certain that I’ll never marry again. There are many reasons why I know marriage is not for me. For one, I don’t believe that marriage is necessary for a happy life or for a successful relationship. Sure, some people need the structure and support that a spouse can provide, but I’m happy with my life the way it is. Here are a few more reasons why marrying again is just not for me.

Marriage Comes With Too Much Baggage

Marriage comes with a lot of baggage that I don’t really want to deal with. There’s the whole “in sickness and in health, till death do us part” thing. That may be fine for some people, but it’s not really my cup of tea. To me, those words are a setup for disappointment and resentment. If you go into a marriage expecting it to last forever, you’re bound to be disappointed when it doesn’t. And then… there are the in-laws… and let’s not even get started on the mother-in-law jokes! Dealing with your partner’s family can be tough enough without being related to them by law! And then there are the financial implications of marriage… like having to share your hard-earned money with your spouse if you get divorced (not to mention the legal fees!). No thanks, I’ll pass on all that drama!

Marriage Is an Outdated Institution

Marriage is an outdated institution that doesn’t really have much relevance in today’s world. It’s a relic of a time when women didn’t have many rights and were considered property of their husbands. Thankfully, those days are long gone, and women are now equal partners in relationships. There’s no need to get married just for the sake of getting married. If you want to get married, great! But if not, that’s perfectly fine too.

Marriage Isn’t Necessary to Prove Your Commitment

Many people believe that marriage is the only way to prove your commitment to someone else. But this simply isn’t true. There are plenty of ways to show someone that you’re committed to them without getting married. You can move in together, have joint bank accounts, and even start a family together without ever tying the knot.

Marriage Doesn’t Guarantee Happiness

People often think that getting married is the ticket to happiness. But the truth is marriage doesn’t guarantee happiness. In fact, some studies have shown that married couples are no happier than single people. Marriage is NOT necessary for a happy life. I know plenty of people, including myself, who are perfectly happy without being married.

The Legalities of Marriage Just Aren’t Worth It

There are a lot of legalities that come with marriage. And while some people might view these as a sign of commitment, I see them as nothing more than a hassle. Marriage is a legally binding contract that comes with a lot of stipulations and conditions. If you’re married, your spouse may be automatically entitled to a portion of your estate when you die, even if you have other wishes. And if you get divorced, you’ll have to go through the lengthy and expensive process of dividing up your assets. Divorce is a long, drawn-out process that can be emotionally and mentally draining — not to mention expensive. I don’t want to deal with the hassle of divorce if things go wrong.

Being Single Has Its Perks

I’m perfectly content being single and doing my own thing. There are a lot of perks to being single that people often overlook. For example, when you’re single, you don’t have to clear your decisions with anyone. You can come and go as you please without having to check in with anyone else. And you don’t have to share your bed with anyone if you don’t want to! When you’re married, you’re constantly having to compromise with your partner on everything from where you’re going to live to how you’re going to spend your weekends. But when you’re single, you can do whatever you want without having to consult anyone else first.

Is Marriage A Good Idea For You?

Society tells us that we need to get married in order to be happy. But what if you don’t want to get married? Is it possible for you to find happiness without getting hitched? Absolutely! If you do want to get married, that’s great! But There’s no need to rush into marriage just because everyone else is doing it or because you think you should do it by a certain age. Do what feels right for you, and don’t let anyone else pressure you into anything.

There’s no need to feel shame if you’re unmarried. Own it! There are plenty of great reasons to stay single, and we’re not going to let anyone tell us otherwise. So go ahead, tell the world that you’re unmarried and proud! Sing it from the rooftops! Let your freak flag fly! Because there’s nothing wrong with being unmarried… in fact, it might just be the best thing for you.

You get to embrace your independence.

When you’re single, you get to embrace your independence! You don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself, and you get to do what YOU want to do. If you want to go on a trip, you can just pack your bags and go. You don’t have to consult with anyone or get anyone’s approval first. And that can be really liberating!

You avoid the stresses and shame of a failed marriage.

Let’s face it: marriages fail all the time. In fact, statistics show that about 40% of marriages end in divorce. Divorce can be a really messy and complicated process. By not getting married, you don’t have to worry about going through that painful experience of divorce or carrying around the shame that often comes along with it.

You can learn more about yourself.

When you’re in a relationship, it’s easy to get lost in the other person and forget about your own wants and needs. However, when you’re single, you have the chance to learn more about who you are and what makes you happy. This self-discovery can be very empowering and help lead you to a happier life overall.

You get to live life on your own terms.

In a marriage, there is always some level of compromise that needs to be made. Whether it’s choosing what neighborhood to move to or where to go on vacation, there are always going to be two opinions to consider. However, when you’re single, you don’t have to make any compromises. You can do things exactly the way you want without having to worry about making someone else happy too. If you want to eat ice cream for breakfast, you can do so without having to worry about anyone else’s opinion. Similarly, if you want to watch a movie that your spouse doesn’t like, you can do so without having to worry about accommodating their taste. In short, being single means that you get to call all the shots without having to consult anyone else first. And while some people might see this as a downside, others, like me, relish the opportunity to live their life on their own terms.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! These are just a few of the reasons why getting married is a terrible idea. I know some people will never understand why I’m opting out of marriage, and that’s okay! I’m happy with my decision, and I know it’s the right one for me. If you feel strongly that marriage is right for you, great! But if not, don’t let anyone pressure you into it. Owning your singledom can be incredibly empowering. There’s no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed because you haven’t tied the knot (yet… or ever) — you are living your life on your own terms, and that is something to be proud of! So go out there and enjoy your single life — you deserve it! So what do you think? Let me know in the comments!

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About the Creator

Naya Lizardo

Travel addict, writer, knowledge enthusiast and poetry dabbler. I write about relationships, mental health, and social issues.

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  • Rhonda Felten2 years ago

    I completely agree! Divorced eight years and will never ever be married again. I see young women all the time about to get married and already having so many issues with their fiancés. I just want to help them, but they have to figure it out for themselves.

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