Here’s what they had to say:

1.

Why the hell am I still married?"

fiercegoose66

2.

A woman with curly hair lies on a bed, wearing a black garment. She looks calmly at the camera, holding one knee towards her chest

“My ex kept a clean house and was an excellent cook.

I was smitten and thought I had found my soulmate.

However, the moment that ring was on my finger, I became his personal maid.

A woman wearing a white blouse holds a young child, who appears worried. They are in a dimly lit room with shadows cast on the walls

mekent

3.

“Married almost 40 years.

Great, supportive husband.

Two people sit in wooden chairs on a balcony, overlooking a lush, mountainous landscape, suggesting a serene and romantic getaway

Helped me pursue my career.

Kids are great; they still like us as adults.

I still don’t feel like I was good enough.

Person wearing an apron and green gloves sprays a bottle of cleaning solution in front of them, with the spray obscuring their face

A good enough wife.

A good enough mother.”

And I didn’t have Instagram trad wives to compare myself.”

A person is flipping through a photo album, with various pictures of people and events visible on the pages

sharpraptor32

4.

“Married for 12 years to someone I was friends with for 10 years before we started dating.

We were in the same friends circle in college and started dating after we’d graduated.

A woman stands by a window with her hand over her mouth and eyes closed, appearing contemplative

Let me tell you something: KIDS CHANGE EVERYTHING.

He’s a great dad but became a garbage husband once the kids came along.

He used to be nice now, he snaps over anything, but only at me.”

A woman with braids and wearing a stylish outfit looks thoughtful while sitting on a couch; a man in casual clothes sits on another couch in the background

bjhk

6.

I could be pooping, and I’ll hear, ‘Honey!

I want to tell you something!’

A bride, identity unknown, holds a bouquet of white flowers, wearing an off-the-shoulder dress. Her hair is down, with loose waves

It’s a lot.

I feel kind of ignored, even though I know it’s not his intention."

“I’ll say, ‘c’mon stop right there and listen to me now.’

The image shows silhouettes of a woman lovingly lifting a baby into the air, casting their shadows on a wall; the scene exudes warmth and affection

applesauceandchops

7.

“Being the one in the family to be the catch-all and making sure everything gets done.

My husband legitimately believes he does 50% of the housework.

A woman standing by a lake, embracing herself in a thoughtful pose, with a serene background of trees and water

More like 5%!

It’ll get better for a week before he reverts to his normal ways.”

ckang0916

8.

A close-up of two hands reaching out to each other with a background of green foliage

“When you hate your husband, feel trapped, and everyone assumes everything is fine.

Financially, I’m stuck.

Marriage shouldn’t be miserable.”

kristinabentle1

9.

Personalities are forming; goals are changing.

In the end, the person may become totally different from the one you married.

You may also be different.

This is currently happening in my marriage.”

smartunicorn67

10.

“I didn’t know how controlling and enmeshed my in-laws were.

It destroyed my family and marriage.

We’re getting divorced.”

pastelsundae323

11.

“No one tells you that marriage is not about love and that walking away is okay.

I dealt with that for six years, even going to therapy because I thought I was the problem.

poeticsmoothie384

12.

“The hardest part is the feeling of ‘they’re gonna get bored of me.'”

chloenelson1031

13.

My ex and I used to let everything fester for days/weeks and sometimes never really talk about it.

Then, we would have a blowup, and nothing would get solved.”

sharpghost212

14.

“I was married to my best friend for 25 and a half years down to the day.

My husband was a punch in 1 diabetic.

I still can’t believe he’s gone.

We fought so hard.”

smilli1

15.

“The hardest part was being young and naive when we got married.

“Things are calmer now.

sharpmatcha56

16.

“I lost my husband two years ago after his leukemia diagnosis.

The hardest part for me is the loss.

I don’t understand when people say marriage is hard and takes work because mine did not.

He was in law enforcement for over 30 years and helped countless people daily.

After his passing, I married a kind soul who is still taking care of me daily.”

“I truly hope I’m not in the minority who don’t feel marriage is hard.

Mine was a joy, filled with laughter and compassion.”

vickyvanzettenp

17. iwibird”

18. nikkim44ed85299

19.

Before I had my own children, I didn’t even recognize I had a man-child.

I started comparing behavior.

I realize I’m raising an adult who will never grow up.”

caffie

20.

“If you have children, you’re pretty much always the adult in charge.

I’m expected to fully immerse myself in every detail of our children’s lives.

What day is the big test?

Who is mad at who right now and why?

When is the deadline for X event?

What classes are required for graduation?

Just ALL the things, ALL the time.”

“I also have to absorb everyone’s emotional burdens 24/7.

It’s exhausting.”

j4287b3497

And finally…

21.

“Different rates of growth.

I can’t even count how often I felt we were on diverging paths.

sarahcardona1

Married women, we want to hear both perspectives.

So, what are the BEST parts of marriage that not many people talk about?

Feel free to comment your thoughts below.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.