Quiet Quitting in Marriage: Why Women Walk Away Slowly

Womens Journal Staff 2 on November 25, 2025

Quiet quitting has become a term commonly used to describe disengagement in the workplace, but it is now finding its way into conversations about relationships, particularly marriage. The phrase refers to a gradual emotional and mental withdrawal that occurs long before separation papers are filed. This subtle process has sparked conversation about how marriages evolve when one partner begins to step back, quietly disconnecting over time.

For many women, quiet quitting in marriage isn’t about a sudden decision. Instead, it reflects years of emotional imbalance, miscommunication, and unaddressed needs. By the time a marriage ends, this withdrawal has been happening quietly for some time, leaving the other partner blindsided by the sudden announcement of separation. The shift is rarely abrupt but rather a slow build-up that, for some, becomes the only way to cope.

Reports from Newsweek and The Cut suggest that women initiate the majority of divorces in the United States. While the statistics provide insight into the broader trend, the deeper story is how the disengagement unfolds slowly, reshaping expectations of what marriage means in the modern age. The term quiet quitting makes this dynamic more accessible, highlighting the emotional weight that can build up silently before it eventually bursts.

Signs of Quiet Quitting in Marriage

Quiet quitting in marriage often starts with small, seemingly insignificant changes. Women may stop initiating conversations, reduce their involvement in shared activities, or limit emotional availability. These shifts may go unnoticed in the short term, but over time, they create emotional distance that can be hard to bridge.

Experts on relationships note that many partners feel blindsided when divorce is announced, often because they did not recognize the early signs of withdrawal. The silence isn’t an act of avoidance, but rather a manifestation of exhaustion, exhaustion from trying, repeatedly, to address unresolved issues. This gradual withdrawal can make the eventual separation feel like a shock, even though it has been building up over the years.

Quiet quitting isn’t about indifference or abandoning the relationship. Instead, it reflects a conscious decision to stop putting energy into a partnership that no longer feels reciprocal. Recognizing these subtle signs early can provide an opportunity for couples to have crucial conversations and make changes before the marriage reaches a point of no return.

Why Women Choose Quiet Quitting

Research has shown that women often bear the brunt of emotional and household responsibilities in marriages. When these efforts go unnoticed or remain unbalanced, burnout can set in. quiet quitting becomes a coping mechanism, an emotionally safer alternative to constant conflict and confrontation.

Expectations within marriages also play a significant role in this dynamic. Many women feel the pressure to maintain harmony, even at the cost of their own well-being. Quiet quitting provides a way to step back without having to engage in difficult, often heated confrontations. While the long-term impact can be just as significant as an outright separation, it avoids the immediate fallout that often accompanies more direct actions.

Statistics show that women initiate around 70% of divorces in the U.S. This data highlights the fact that quiet quitting often precedes formal separation. It’s not about suddenly abandoning a marriage but about reclaiming space after years of imbalance and emotional neglect.

Public Conversation Around Quiet Quitting

The rise of this term in relation to marriage has sparked a wave of debate in the media and among relationship experts. Some view it as a symptom of communication breakdowns, while others see it as a reflection of shifting expectations within modern marriages. The framing itself invites further discussion: is disengagement a failure of partnership, or a necessary step toward self-preservation?

Quiet Quitting in Marriage Why Women Walk Away Slowly

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Many men often feel blindsided by their wives’ disengagement because they fail to perceive the gradual withdrawal. This raises an important question: how can couples better recognize and address emotional distance before it becomes irreversible? Silence within a marriage is rarely an indication of satisfaction. More often, it signals unmet needs and deepening dissatisfaction.

By reframing the concept as quiet quitting, the narrative shifts toward understanding rather than blame. This new perspective encourages open dialogue about emotional labor, fairness, and evolving expectations in marriage. The term resonates with many because it connects the familiar idea of disengagement in the workplace to personal relationships, making the concept both accessible and relatable.

What Quiet Quitting Reveals About Marriage

Quiet quitting in marriage serves as a reflection of the evolving dynamics in modern relationships. It underscores that disengagement doesn’t always happen abruptly, it’s often a gradual process shaped by changing expectations, emotional labor, and personal boundaries. This shift encourages couples to reflect on how they share responsibilities, communicate, and nurture emotional connection.

For women, it represents both a form of self-preservation and agency. It allows them to step back from an unbalanced situation, reassessing their options for the future. For men, recognizing the signs of withdrawal early may offer opportunities to rebuild trust and communication before the relationship breaks down completely.

Ultimately, quiet quitting in marriage is a reminder of the importance of awareness and open communication. Recognizing the factors that contribute to emotional disengagement can lead to healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Understanding this trend also encourages couples to move beyond silence and toward proactive solutions. The conversation surrounding quiet quitting is not just about endings but about

How to Look Polished on Camera With Almost No Effort

Women's Journal Staff on November 25, 2025

By: Casey Tibut

Simple Looks That Keep You Polished on Camera

There’s a moment before every video call when you catch your reflection and think, “Ah. So this is my villain origin story.”

You’re not alone. Remote work turned all of us into lighting technicians, amateur stylists, and part-time philosophers, wondering why our faces look different on every platform.

Good news. You don’t need a full wardrobe overhaul to look sharp on camera. You just need a few reliable pieces and a little strategy that can help you look more put together without stealing your morning.

Let’s get into it.

The Lighting Test Trick

Before talking about clothes, do one thing. Hold your top up in front of your face and check it against your lighting.

If the color makes your skin look like you just crawled out of a dungeon, it’s probably best to skip it.

Soft neutrals usually play nice. Sharp blacks may sometimes vanish into your background. Bright colors can turn your camera into a confused toddler.

Find the tones that seem to make you look alive. Stick with them.

The Neckline That Never Betrays You

A clean neckline tends to read well on every camera. Scoop, crew, square, boat—pick your vibe. Just avoid complicated cuts that could create weird shadows.

This is also where a classic white shirt can earn its keep. Quiet, simple, dependable. The clothing version of someone who shows up on time.

The Texture Rule People Forget

Your brain loves texture. Your webcam, on the other hand, not so much.

Choose fabrics with a little structure. Think soft knits, ribbed tops, crisp cotton, anything that doesn’t collapse on itself.

Slinky fabrics can move too much and catch light in all the wrong places. They’re great for dinner, less great when your camera turns them into a strobe show.

When in doubt, hold the fabric under your overhead light for two seconds. If it flickers or looks shiny, there’s a good chance it’ll do the same on Zoom.

The Sleeves That Make You Look More Put Together Than You Feel

Sleeves do heavy lifting on camera.

A fitted long sleeve looks intentional. A rolled sleeve may make you look “busy in a cool way.”
A balloon sleeve can give you presence without trying.
Cap sleeves, on the other hand, might make your shoulders look like they’re trying to run away.

You want lines that frame your face and keep the visual focus where it belongs.
Which is… you. Or at least the version of you that’s pretending to pay attention.

The Colors That Survive Bad Webcams

How to Look Polished on Camera With Almost No Effort

Photo: Unsplash.com

If your camera is the kind that makes everything look slightly haunted, it might be better to lean into:

soft taupe
Olive
Off-white
Navy
muted red
gentle earth tones

These colors tend to stay calm under poor lighting and might hide the “I slept weird” situation better than bright tones ever will.

Think of them as camera-safe comfort colors. They’re self-esteem with sleeves.

The Layer That Saves Every Outfit

A light cardigan or structured overshirt could instantly fix messy proportions.
Your top suddenly looks intentional. Your posture looks better. Your whole presence feels more grounded.

Keep one draped over your chair. This is your emergency layer. The visual equivalent of clearing your throat.

And since layers create vertical lines, they help make your face pop on camera without doing anything wild.

Minimal effort. Maximum payoff. The dream.

The Jewelry Cheat Code

You don’t need statement pieces. Just something small that might catch a tiny bit of light.

Think:

a thin necklace
small hoops
a clean chain
a ring or two

Anything louder can hijack your entire frame. Let your jewelry whisper.

It can read as confidence without looking like you’re trying to pitch a gemstone subscription.

The Hair Rule Everyone Learns the Hard Way

Hair must be either clearly styled or intentionally undone.

The in-between zone is where the chaos lives.

If you’re going messy, go charming-messy. If you’re going clean, go clean enough that your camera doesn’t invent stray hairs you don’t actually have.

Sometimes all you need is a quick brush and a side part.

Sometimes it’s dry shampoo and a prayer.

Either way, the goal is visual stability. Your camera loves consistency.

The “Good Enough” Outfit Formula

Here’s the fallback outfit that should make you look polished even when your morning started with existential dread:

structured top in a camera-safe color
clean neckline
subtle jewelry
one easy layer (cardigan, jacket, knit overshirt)
hair that looks like it had at least one moment of intention

Done. Five minutes. Zero agony.

The Part People Always Forget: Your Energy

Photo: Unsplash.com

Your camera highlights your vibe as much as your clothes.

So wear pieces that feel like you.

If you’re comfortable, you’ll look comfortable. If you’re forcing a look, the camera might tattle.

Pick pieces with ease. Textures that feel soft. Colors that feel steady. Shapes that let you breathe and move and nod dramatically when someone makes a good point.

Isn’t that the whole point anyway?

The Real Question

You’re already living half your life on camera.

So why not dress in a way that feels like the upgraded version of your usual self?

The version that’s calm. The version that has taste.

The version that looks at her reflection before a meeting and thinks, “Yeah, this works.”

Ready to build your go-to video-call wardrobe?

Autoimmune Disease Rises Sharply After 50, Research Reveals Key Causes

Womens Journal Staff 2 on November 25, 2025

Autoimmune diseases are becoming more common in people over 50. Research conducted by teams including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in journals such as Nature Aging and Arthritis & Rheumatology highlights how age‑related shifts in the immune system, hormonal changes, and environmental factors all play a part. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and polymyalgia rheumatica are often diagnosed or worsen during the sixth decade of life, linked to a phenomenon called “immune aging” or “inflammaging.”

As the immune system’s ability to distinguish between harmful invaders and the body’s own tissues weakens, autoreactive cells that once were kept in check begin to attack healthy organs and tissues. This explains why autoimmune diseases after 50 can appear to strike suddenly, even though underlying changes may have been building for years.

Why Autoimmune Diseases Are More Common After 50

Autoimmune diseases often become more common after 50 due to changes in the immune system. As people age, the immune system begins to weaken in its ability to distinguish between harmful invaders and the body’s own healthy cells. This process, known as immune aging, means the body may start attacking its own tissues, leading to autoimmune disorders.

Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica often emerge during this period. Research shows that the immune system gradually shifts, with fewer naïve T cells (which help defend against new threats) and more memory T cells, which may become autoreactive. As these cells accumulate, the risk of autoimmune diseases increases. This change happens gradually over the years, and by the time people reach their 50s, the effects can become clinically significant.

Immune Aging and Inflammaging

The process of inflammaging refers to the chronic, low-level inflammation that builds up over time as part of the natural aging process. One key factor in this is the shrinkage of the thymus, an organ that plays a crucial role in training the immune system. As it shrinks with age, fewer naïve immune cells are produced, which reduces the body’s ability to respond effectively to new infections. Meanwhile, memory T cells accumulate, which can lead to inflammation and an increased risk of autoimmune disease.

In addition, B cells, which are responsible for producing antibodies, also undergo changes as people age, often leading to the production of autoantibodies that can attack the body’s own tissues. This process explains why autoimmune diseases are more common in older adults and why they often appear after 50.

Autoimmune Disease Rises Sharply After 50, Research Reveals Key Causes

Photo Credit: Unsplash.com

Hormonal changes play a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases after 50, especially for women. During menopause, estrogen levels decline, and this hormone has been shown to regulate immune function. As estrogen decreases, the immune system becomes more susceptible to triggering autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. This is why autoimmune diseases are more common in women during or after menopause.

Men also experience hormonal changes, particularly a decline in testosterone, which has been linked to autoimmune diseases in older men. Although autoimmune diseases are less common in men overall, later-onset autoimmune conditions have been increasingly documented as men age.

Why Diagnosis Often Delays After 50

One of the challenges with diagnosing autoimmune diseases in older adults is that many of the symptoms overlap with those of normal aging. For example, joint stiffness and fatigue are often dismissed as typical age-related issues, while conditions like dry eyes and mouth may be written off as side effects of medication. Symptoms such as neuropathy or skin changes can also be wrongly attributed to aging rather than an underlying autoimmune disorder.

Furthermore, polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications) and comorbidities can make it difficult for healthcare providers to correctly diagnose autoimmune diseases in older adults. Autoantibodies can also appear in healthy elderly individuals, which complicates interpretation of test results. As a result, many patients live with unexplained symptoms for years before receiving the correct diagnosis.

What’s on the Horizon for Autoimmune Diseases After 50?

Recent advances in biologic therapies and immunomodulators have transformed the treatment landscape for autoimmune diseases in older adults. These treatments target specific immune pathways, reducing the need for long-term steroid use, which can have harmful effects in older individuals. Age-appropriate dosing and careful monitoring are essential to ensure both the effectiveness and safety of these treatments.

In addition to disease-specific therapies, supportive care remains critical for older adults. This includes managing symptoms such as dry eyes, supporting bone health, and monitoring cardiovascular health. Researchers are also looking into new treatments, including interventions targeting the microbiome and senescence-targeting drugs, which aim to address the root causes of immune dysfunction and aging.

The Path to Personalized Care

The rise of autoimmune diseases after 50 is expected to continue as the population ages. However, ongoing research is providing new insights into how to better diagnose and treat autoimmune conditions in older adults. The goal is to develop personalized treatments that take into account the unique immune changes that occur as people age. With the progress being made in biologic treatments and other emerging therapies, the future looks promising for older adults living with autoimmune diseases.

The key to improving care for older adults with autoimmune diseases is continued collaboration between researchers, healthcare providers, and patients. As understanding of immune aging deepens, the hope is that care can shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more individualized model that considers the complexities of aging and autoimmune disease.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.