Marriage Counsellor and Psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo

In recent years, a new kind of social and romantic trend has been quietly taking over parks, gyms, and recreational centres — Pickleball Dating. What started as a fun, friendly sport for all ages has now evolved into an unexpected matchmaking hotspot. From singles meetups on the court to dating apps adding “Pickleball” as an interest filter, this sporty new way to connect is becoming a favourite among people looking for love — or at least some lively competition, says leading couples therapist and relationship counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

What Is Pickleball Dating?

Pickleball dating combines the sport of pickleball with the social experience of meeting potential partners. It’s not just about scoring points; it’s about finding chemistry — both on and off the court.

Pickleball itself is a paddle sport that blends elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It’s easy to learn, fun to play, and perfect for group or doubles matches — which makes it naturally social. Because of its friendly pace and interactive setup, it encourages conversation, teamwork, and laughter — all key ingredients for forming connections.

In pickleball dating events, singles are paired up in matches or rotated across different partners, allowing them to meet multiple people in a relaxed, non-pressured setting. Think of it as “speed dating meets recreational sport” — where compatibility is tested through playful rallies instead of awkward small talk.

Why Is Pickleball Dating Trending?

There are several reasons why pickleball dating has become one of the most talked-about modern dating trends:

1. It’s Active and Fun
People today are looking for experiences that go beyond sitting in a café or swiping endlessly on dating apps. Pickleball offers a refreshing change — it gets people moving, laughing, and enjoying the moment. The shared physical activity makes it easier to break the ice and show your authentic self.

2. It’s Social and Inclusive
Pickleball is known for being one of the most inclusive sports — suitable for all ages and fitness levels. That makes it ideal for singles in their 20s, 40s, or even 60s. Unlike some sports that can feel competitive or intimidating, pickleball is lighthearted and community-driven, creating the perfect atmosphere for socializing and forming connections.

3. Post-Pandemic Shift Toward Real Connections
After years of online-only interactions, people are craving genuine, face-to-face connections. Pickleball dating events provide that — a way to meet others in person, bond through shared activity, and avoid the digital fatigue that comes with dating apps.

4. Shared Interests Build Stronger Bonds
When you meet someone who enjoys the same hobby, the connection feels natural. Pickleball dating gives singles a common ground — literally and figuratively — from the very first serve. It’s an instant icebreaker that fosters teamwork, communication, and friendly competition.

5. Celebrities and Media Influence
Pickleball’s popularity has skyrocketed thanks to celebrity endorsements and media coverage. Famous figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen DeGeneres, and the Kardashians have been spotted playing, bringing the sport — and its dating potential — into the mainstream.

The Bigger Picture: Why Pickleball Dating Works

Beyond being a trend, pickleball dating reflects a broader shift in how people approach relationships. Modern singles are prioritizing shared experiences, health, and emotional compatibility over superficial dating norms. Playing pickleball together reveals personality traits — teamwork, patience, humor — that can’t be seen through a screen.

It also reduces the awkwardness that comes with traditional dating. The focus on fun and movement makes it easier to let your guard down. Even if you don’t find romance, you walk away with new friends and a good workout — a win-win situation.

Pickleball dating is more than a passing fad — it’s a sign of how people are redefining connection in today’s world. It’s about mixing sport, laughter, and a little bit of flirtation in a space where everyone feels welcome.

Whether you’re new to the dating scene or just looking for a fresh way to meet people, picking up a paddle might be your next best move. After all, love — like pickleball — is about finding the right rhythm, playing fair, and enjoying the game together.

Marriage is a journey full of growth, discovery, and sometimes challenges that test the bond between two people. While every relationship is unique, most marriages tend to go through recognisable stages. Understanding these phases can help couples navigate difficulties, strengthen their connection, and set realistic expectations, says Shivani Misri Sadhoo, a leading relationship expert and one of the top marriage counsellors in Delhi and India.

Questions You Might Ask

1. Why do couples often face the most difficulties in the early years of marriage?

Many challenges emerge as couples move beyond the initial excitement of marriage into the realities of everyday life. Differences in habits, communication styles, and expectations can surface, often leading to conflict if not addressed consciously.

2. Can a marriage survive Stage 3, the Power Struggle?

Yes. Stage 3 can feel intense, but with open communication, mutual understanding, and a willingness to grow, couples can emerge stronger. It’s less about avoiding conflict and more about learning to navigate it together.

6 Stages of Marriage, as explained by couples therapist Shivani Sadhoo

Stage 1: The Honeymoon Phase

This is the period of excitement and idealisation. Everything feels new and thrilling, and couples often overlook imperfections as they focus on love and connection.

Stage 2: Reality Sets In

As the initial excitement fades, differences between partners become more apparent. Habits, routines, and even quirks that were previously endearing can now feel challenging.

Stage 3: The Power Struggle

Often called the toughest stage, this is when conflicts and disagreements become more frequent. Couples question whether the marriage will last and confront unresolved personal or relational issues. The emotional intensity can feel overwhelming, but it’s also a stage that provides the opportunity to build resilience and a deeper understanding if navigated consciously.

Stage 4: Rebuilding and Acceptance

After working through conflicts, couples start to regain trust and understanding. Acceptance of each other’s differences and the ability to compromise strengthen the foundation of the relationship.

Stage 5: Deep Connection

By this stage, couples often feel a profound emotional and spiritual bond. They communicate more effectively, support each other’s growth, and share a sense of partnership that goes beyond surface-level romance.

Stage 6: Legacy and Purpose

Here, couples focus on building something bigger than themselves, whether it’s family, community, or shared goals. There’s a sense of fulfilment in contributing together and leaving a lasting impact.

Identifying Your Stage

Recognising which phase your marriage is in can help you manage expectations, enhance communication, and approach challenges more intentionally. If you find yourself in Stage 3, remember that feeling tested doesn’t mean failure—it’s an opportunity for growth.

Strategies to navigate Stage 3 include:

• Seeking couples therapy or professional guidance
• Reconnecting emotionally and fostering intimacy
• Prioritising personal growth alongside relational growth
• Learning constructive conflict resolution techniques

Marriage isn’t a final destination but an ongoing journey. Each stage has its purpose, and even the toughest periods, like Stage 3, can strengthen the bond between partners when approached with patience and commitment.

In every relationship, honesty is often described as the cornerstone of trust and intimacy. Couples who value transparency usually feel more connected and secure. Yet the idea of absolute honesty—sharing every thought, feeling, or opinion without filter—raises important questions.

Can complete openness strengthen a relationship, or can it sometimes create more harm than harmony? It’s being explained by relationship expert and marriage counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

What is the Role of Honesty in Relationships?

Honesty provides the foundation on which trust is built. When partners are truthful, they foster an atmosphere of safety and reliability. Admitting mistakes, acknowledging emotions, and expressing needs openly are all examples of honesty that support healthy bonding, says Shivani Misri Sadhoo, a leading couples therapist in India.

However, honesty is more than just stating facts. The intention and manner of communication play a crucial role. Truth spoken with sensitivity can build closeness, while truth expressed harshly or without consideration may cause emotional damage.

The Challenges of Absolute Honesty – While honesty is essential, absolute honesty—sharing every thought without reflection—may not always serve the relationship. Several challenges emerge when honesty is taken to its extreme:

Overwhelming the Partner – Not all thoughts require expression. Passing or impulsive ideas, if shared unnecessarily, may create confusion or hurt without adding value.

Tone and Delivery – A Brutal or blunt truth can feel like criticism. Reframing a statement with empathy can make the same truth easier to hear. For example, instead of saying, “You never listen to me,” one could say, “I feel unheard when I talk about my day.”

Maintaining Emotional Safety – Relationships thrive when both partners feel emotionally safe. Absolute honesty, expressed without care, may erode this safety and create distance.

Privacy vs. Secrecy – Every person deserves a degree of privacy. This is not the same as keeping secrets; it is about recognising that not every private thought needs to be shared in order for the relationship to remain healthy.

Striking the Right Balance – The healthiest approach lies in thoughtful honesty, not absolute honesty. This means being genuine while also considering the emotional impact on the partner. Key aspects of balanced honesty include:

• Expressing feelings and needs clearly so that misunderstandings are reduced.
• Communicating with compassion, ensuring the truth is shared with kindness.
• Avoiding unnecessary bluntness, as honesty should build the relationship rather than weaken it.
• Listening with openness, since honesty also involves accepting a partner’s truth with respect.

Absolute honesty is not always beneficial in relationships. What strengthens intimacy and trust is authentic, considerate honesty—the type that is truthful yet compassionate, open yet respectful of emotional safety. Relationships flourish when honesty is practiced in a way that nurtures growth rather than causing harm.

Instead of aiming to share every thought without filter, couples are encouraged to focus on honesty that deepens connection, builds trust, and allows both partners to feel safe being their true selves.

In today’s hyper-connected digital age, mobile phones have become personal vaults of communication, memories, and daily routines. Within relationships, this can create tension—especially when one partner feels tempted to check the other’s phone. From a couples therapy standpoint, this behaviour is not just about curiosity or suspicion—it often reflects deeper issues such as insecurity, boundary confusion, or a lack of emotional trust. Understanding the dynamics behind this urge is crucial for nurturing healthy, respectful relationships.

Is it bad to check your partner’s phone or not?

Shivani Misri Sadhoo, leading relationship expert and one of the best marriage counsellors in India, shares her views on the topic.

Trust Is the Cornerstone of Intimacy

Relationship therapists consistently highlight that trust forms the foundation of emotional safety between partners. When one partner checks the other’s phone without consent, it may signal a breakdown of that trust. Such actions are less about finding concrete evidence and more about addressing emotional uncertainty or fear of betrayal. Without rebuilding trust through open dialogue, phone-checking can erode the sense of security in the relationship.

Privacy Does Not Equal Deception

Therapeutic models of healthy relationships recognise the importance of individual boundaries, even within close emotional bonds. Each partner is entitled to a sense of personal space—digital or otherwise. Privacy in this context is not synonymous with secrecy; rather, it is a sign of respect for individuality. When partners respect each other’s boundaries, it fosters mutual confidence and emotional maturity.

The Behavior Often Escalates Conflict

Research and clinical observations show that covertly accessing a partner’s phone can create more harm than resolution. Misinterpretations of messages, lack of context, or unexpressed emotions often lead to defensiveness, accusations, and emotional withdrawal. Over time, repeated violations of privacy can create a pattern of distrust, making conflict resolution more difficult and damaging relational stability.

Underlying Issues Must Be Addressed, Not Avoided

Phone-checking is rarely the core problem—it is typically a symptom of deeper relational concerns such as past infidelity, emotional disconnect, or fear of abandonment. Therapy focuses on identifying these root causes and facilitating honest communication. Without addressing these underlying issues, the urge to monitor a partner’s digital behaviour may persist, perpetuating a cycle of mistrust and anxiety.

Open Communication Is the Healthier Alternative

Rather than resorting to surveillance, couples are encouraged to engage in transparent, non-confrontational conversations about their concerns. When both partners feel heard and understood, the need for secretive behaviour diminishes. Establishing shared boundaries, clarifying expectations around digital privacy, and rebuilding emotional trust are all essential steps supported by relationship therapy frameworks.

Checking a partner’s phone without consent is rarely a sign of a healthy relationship. While the impulse may stem from genuine fear or hurt, the act itself often causes greater harm. From a therapeutic perspective, the path to stronger relationships lies not in silent monitoring but in open-hearted communication, emotional safety, and mutual respect for boundaries.

Marriage is not just a union of two people; it’s a journey filled with love, challenges, growth, and countless shared experiences. But sometimes, when the going gets tough, giving up can seem like the easiest option.

Yet, before making any final decisions, it’s worth pausing and reflecting on why your marriage deserves a second chance. Even when things seem broken, healing is possible. Here we explore the five strong reasons not to give up on your marriage.

What are the reasons for not giving up on your marriage?

Shivani Misri Sadhoo, a leading relationship expert, certified DBT & CBT therapist and one of the top marriage counsellors in Delhi and India, discusses the five factors for not giving up on your marriage.

The Foundation You’ve Built Together

Every relationship has a history. Over the years, you’ve created countless memories, faced obstacles, celebrated wins, and grown both individually and as a couple. These shared experiences form the emotional foundation of your marriage.

Walking away from your partner means walking away from everything you’ve built together your home, your shared goals, and even your struggles that made you stronger. Instead of throwing it all away, consider rebuilding from where you are. Often, the cracks in a relationship can become places where light enters if both partners are willing to try.

Marriage Is a Journey, Not a Destination

No marriage is perfect. Conflict, misunderstandings, and emotional distance are part of the journey. Just because you’re going through a rough phase doesn’t mean it’s the end. Growth comes through adversity. Working through issues, rather than walking away, can lead to a deeper understanding of each other and a more mature, resilient relationship. When you overcome a storm together, your bond often becomes stronger than before.

Love Can Be Rekindled

Feelings fade when they are not nurtured, but that doesn’t mean they are gone forever. Love is not just a feeling; it’s also a choice and an action. Small efforts like spending quality time, expressing appreciation, or seeking counselling can reignite the emotional connection. You once fell in love for a reason. Exploring those memories and reigniting what first brought you together can open the door to renewed intimacy and affection.

Impact on Family and Children

If you have children, your relationship sets the tone for their emotional environment. Children thrive in a stable, loving household. While staying together only for the sake of the kids isn’t ideal, fighting for your marriage creates a powerful example of commitment, problem-solving, and resilience.

Moreover, separation often brings emotional and logistical upheavals that can deeply affect everyone involved. Saving your marriage may not only bring peace to your own life but also to the lives of those who depend on you.

You Haven’t Tried Everything Yet

Before giving up, ask yourself: Have you really tried everything? Marriage counselling, communication workshops, or even personal therapy can offer powerful tools for healing. Many couples reach a breaking point simply because they lack the right strategies to deal with conflict or emotional disconnection. Sometimes, just having a neutral third party to guide the conversation can unlock breakthroughs that seemed impossible before.

Marriage is not always easy—but neither is walking away. If there’s still love, even a little, it might be worth fighting for. Time, effort, empathy, and patience can breathe life back into what feels broken. Sometimes, holding on can be the bravest and most rewarding thing you’ll ever do.

Being single is not a flaw. It can be a conscious, empowered, and deeply fulfilling choice. While society often paints romantic relationships and marriage as the ultimate milestones of adult life, many people are choosing a different path. They don’t see marriage as the be-all and end-all. Instead, they prioritise personal growth, career goals, creative pursuits, spiritual exploration, and deepening connections with friends and family.

What makes one stay single?

If you are wondering why some people genuinely love staying single, here are four reasons shared by leading relationship and marriage therapist Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

1. They love their Independence

One of the biggest reasons people enjoy staying single is the freedom that comes with it. Relationships often involve compromises, shared responsibilities, and constant coordination—which can feel limiting for those who deeply value their independence. When you’re single, you can set your own schedule, chase personal goals, and make decisions without having to factor in someone else’s needs.

That kind of autonomy can be incredibly fulfilling, especially for those who thrive on self-reliance and personal growth. Choosing to stay single doesn’t mean someone is selfish—it simply means they’re prioritising their own well-being and sense of identity. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

2. Painful Past Experience

Another reason some people choose to stay single is because of painful past experiences. When someone has been deeply hurt in a previous relationship, it can leave emotional scars that take a long time to heal. The fear of being hurt again makes it hard to trust or open up.

Even if they want love, the memories of heartbreak hold them back. Staying single becomes a way to protect their heart, to avoid the pain they once knew too well.

3. Longing and Boundaries

Some people avoid relationships because their emotional needs feel too intense, even shameful. They fear being a burden, so they isolate themselves to protect others—and themselves. Others are aware of their neediness but try to manage it, often shaped by early experiences with emotionally demanding caregivers.

They might avoid intimacy to protect their boundaries or fear being overwhelmed by a partner’s needs. Both responses are valid and deeply human. Healing starts by understanding your story, accepting where you are, and gently making space for both connection and self-protection.

4. Avoid Commitment

Some people stay single because they fear commitment—not out of coldness, but from a deep, often quiet vulnerability. The idea of merging their life with someone else can feel suffocating or risky. Maybe they’ve seen relationships fall apart or felt trapped in the past.

Commitment demands trust, openness, and emotional risk, which can be daunting. For them, staying single offers a sense of control and emotional safety. It’s not that they don’t crave connection—they just struggle with the weight of promises that feel too heavy or permanent to carry.

In a nutshell, people stay single for all sorts of deeply human reasons—some love their freedom, others are healing from old wounds. Some guard their hearts with healthy boundaries, while others quietly fear the weight of commitment. Whatever the reason, choosing to stay single can be a brave, thoughtful, and beautifully intentional way to live.

Good communication is the foundation of a healthy and happy marriage. Yet, as daily responsibilities pile up—work, children, family obligations—it’s easy for couples to fall into a routine where meaningful conversation takes a backseat. If you’ve found yourself exchanging only the bare minimum with your wife discussing bills, chores, or logistics it’s time to pause and reflect. Strong, open communication helps build trust, deepen emotional intimacy, and prevent misunderstandings that can lead to bigger conflicts, reveals leading relationship expert and marriage counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo.

Why Communication Is Important With Your Wife?

Communication is not just about talking—it’s about connecting. When you make an effort to listen and share with your wife truly, you nurture emotional closeness. Regular and meaningful communication allows both partners to express their needs, concerns, dreams, and even disappointments in a safe space.

Without this, small issues can develop into significant problems. Good communication reduces unnecessary tension, fosters teamwork, and keeps the bond between you strong even during life’s toughest challenges. For many couples, a lack of communication is at the heart of emotional distance and marital dissatisfaction.

Ways to Improve Your Daily Communication

• Make Time for Conversations—No Matter How Busy You Are – Set aside at least 10-15 minutes each day where you both can talk without distractions. This could be during breakfast, after dinner, or before bedtime. The key is to be consistent. Even small, daily check-ins can make your wife feel heard and valued.

• Listen to Understand, Not to React – When your wife shares something, focus on listening carefully rather than planning your response. Avoid interrupting or offering solutions right away. Sometimes, she may just need you to listen with empathy.

• Express Appreciation Regularly – Often, we overlook the power of small words like “thank you,” “I appreciate you,” or “you did a great job.” Expressing gratitude not only makes your wife feel seen but also strengthens positivity in the relationship.

• Use “I” Statements Instead of “You” Statements – When discussing a sensitive topic, say “I feel hurt when…” rather than “You always make me feel…”. This reduces defensiveness and encourages healthier dialogue.

• Be Honest but Kind – Open communication means being honest about your feelings, but always with respect. If something is bothering you, share it gently instead of letting resentment build.

• Ask Open-Ended Questions – Rather than yes/no questions, ask “How was your day?” or “What’s on your mind lately?”. This invites richer conversations and shows genuine interest in her thoughts and feelings.

• Limit Screen Time When Together– Put down your phone or switch off the TV when she’s talking. Giving her your undivided attention shows that you value what she has to say.

• Learn Her Communication Style – Some people like to process out loud; others need time before they’re ready to talk. Understanding how your wife prefers to communicate can help you connect more effectively.

Improving daily communication doesn’t require grand gestures—it’s about small, consistent efforts that show your wife she matters to you. Over time, these habits can bring warmth, closeness, and resilience to your marriage.

In a world where relationship labels are becoming more fluid, it’s easy to feel confused about the nature of your bond with someone. You may feel deeply connected to a person — emotionally safe, truly understood — yet there’s no romantic or sexual involvement. Is it just friendship, or something more meaningful, yet still non-romantic? That’s where the concept of a platonic relationship comes in. Understanding this can help you navigate your feelings and define your relationship better, as explained by eminent relationship and marriage counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo here.

What is a Platonic Relationship?

A platonic relationship is an emotionally close connection between two people that is not based on physical or romantic attraction. The term comes from the ideas of the Greek philosopher Plato, who believed that the highest form of love transcends physical desire and is rooted in mutual respect, intellectual connection, and deep emotional bonding.

This kind of relationship can exist between any two people, regardless of gender or orientation, and is defined by care, trust, and emotional intimacy without the complexities of romance or sexual tension.

Platonic Relationship vs. Friendship: What’s the Difference?

At first glance, platonic relationships and friendships may seem similar. Both involve companionship, trust, and shared moments. However, platonic bonds tend to carry more emotional weight and consistency than regular friendships.

In a typical friendship, people may connect based on shared activities, environments, or interests. These connections can be casual, and while trust exists, the emotional depth may not always run very deep. Friendships can fade over time as circumstances change.

A platonic relationship, however, tends to hold stronger emotional significance. You may find yourself turning to that person for life advice, sharing your innermost thoughts, or relying on them during difficult times. There’s often a level of priority given to this bond, even if it’s never romantic. It’s like having a life partner — just without the romance.

How to Identify if It’s Platonic or Just Friendship?

If you’re unsure which category your relationship falls into, consider the emotional dynamics. Do you feel emotionally safe and fully yourself around this person? Are they the first one you think of when you’re going through something important, good or bad? Do you value their presence in your life regardless of circumstances, and does the bond remain strong even without constant communication?

Also, notice if there’s mutual clarity. Platonic relationships often involve a silent understanding that the connection is deep and meaningful, but not romantic. There’s no hidden agenda, no mixed signals, and no pressure to turn it into something else.

Can Platonic Relationships Evolve Into Romance?

They can, but not always. Sometimes emotional closeness can lay the foundation for romantic feelings, especially if both people begin to see each other in a new light. However, many platonic relationships remain beautifully non-romantic throughout life, offering emotional nourishment without any complications.

If feelings do change on either side, honest communication becomes key. Ignoring shifting emotions can lead to confusion, distance, or even the end of the bond.

Platonic relationships are often underrated, yet they can be some of the most fulfilling connections in life. If you’re lucky enough to have someone who supports you emotionally, respects your boundaries, and remains consistently present, without any romantic strings, then you’re experiencing the rare beauty of platonic love. Understanding and honouring this kind of bond can enrich your emotional well-being and add a layer of stability and depth to your life that few relationships can offer.

Signs You’ve Found a Therapist Who Truly Understands Couples

Let’s face it — no relationship is perfect. Even the strongest marriages can hit rough patches where communication breaks down, resentment builds, and emotional distance creeps in. When couples start to feel more like roommates or adversaries than partners, marriage counselling often becomes the next step. But walking into a therapist’s office is just the beginning. What really determines the success of therapy isn’t just the willingness of the couple — it’s whether the therapist truly gets both individuals, and more importantly, the relationship between them.

Not every therapist is skilled in working with couples. Some may apply individual therapy tools to a joint problem, while others may unintentionally take sides or fail to understand the emotional dance happening beneath the surface. That’s why finding the right therapist — someone who understands how couples work, fight, connect, and grow — is crucial. This is what India’s best couples’ therapist and marriage counsellor, Shivani Misri Sadhoo, has to say via this article.

How Do You Know You’ve Found a Therapist Who Truly Understands Couples?

It’s not always obvious at first, but there are some clear signs you can look for — and feel — during your sessions, says Delhi’s top Gottman Certified Level 3 couples counselor Shivani Sadhoo.

They Focus on the Relationship, Not Just Two Individuals

A therapist who understands couples doesn’t just listen to each partner separately — they tune into the dynamic between you. They pay attention to how you talk to and about each other, how conflict patterns unfold, and how emotional needs are (or aren’t) being met. Instead of taking sides, they help each person see how they contribute to the cycle — and how to shift it together.

Both Partners Feel Heard and Safe

You should never feel like one person is being favoured or blamed. A skilled couples therapist creates a space where both people feel respected, validated, and safe to be vulnerable — even when the truth is hard to hear. If you leave sessions feeling ganged up on or ignored, that’s a red flag. The best therapists are emotionally attuned and make room for both voices, even when the pain is loud.

They Help You Understand the “Why” Beneath the Fights

Arguments about dishes or text messages are rarely about the dishes or the phone. A therapist who understands couples will gently guide you to the deeper layers — the fear of rejection, the longing for connection, the pain of unmet needs. They’re not just refereeing fights; they’re helping you understand what those fights are really about.

Progress Feels Measurable — Even if It’s Small

Good couples therapy doesn’t mean all problems disappear overnight. But you should start noticing small shifts: less reactive fights, moments of emotional closeness, more awareness of triggers, or new tools to manage conflict. A therapist who knows what they’re doing will help you track that growth and keep moving forward, not just recycle the same complaints week after week.

They Challenge You — Lovingly

A therapist who truly understands couples doesn’t just nod and sympathise. They challenge your assumptions, call out your defence mechanisms, and gently hold up a mirror — all with the goal of helping you reconnect, not criticise. Growth can be uncomfortable, and the right therapist doesn’t shy away from that discomfort. Instead, they help you work through it with compassion.

They Work to Help You Stay Together — Not Just “Manage the Breakup”

One of the clearest signs that you’ve found a therapist who truly understands couples is their commitment to helping you stay together, not subtly steering you toward separation. While a good therapist will never force a relationship to continue if it’s unhealthy or unsafe, they also don’t treat struggles as automatic signs that the marriage is doomed.

Instead, they come from a place of hope, assuming that most relationships can heal with the right tools, effort, and understanding. They explore what brought you together, what still exists between you, and what can be rebuilt. They believe in reconciliation where it’s possible and help you fight for your relationship, not just within it. If your therapist seems more invested in helping you reconnect than just exit gracefully, that’s a strong sign you’re with someone who truly understands the heart of couples work.

Marriage counselling can be one of the most transformative experiences in a relationship, but only when you’re in the hands of someone who genuinely understands the complexity of couplehood. The right therapist doesn’t just offer advice; they become a guide, helping you and your partner rediscover each other, repair emotional wounds, and rebuild the connection that brought you together in the first place.

If you find yourself leaving sessions feeling heard, challenged, and more hopeful than when you walked in, chances are you’ve found the right match. And in therapy, just like in love, the right match makes all the difference.

In our fast-paced, digitally connected world, it’s ironic how often we can feel disconnected — not from others, but from ourselves. You may find yourself going through the motions of daily life, ticking off tasks, attending meetings, chatting with friends — yet feeling a persistent void within. This emotional hollowness, often hard to describe, is more common than you think. And it deserves your attention, says Shivani Misri Sadhoo, one of India’s leading relationship experts and marriage counsellors.

What Is the Feeling of Emptiness?

Emptiness is not just about being bored or sad. It’s a deeper, more lingering state of emotional numbness or a sense that something crucial is missing in your life. You may feel emotionally drained, disconnected from yourself or others, or like you’re simply existing rather than living. People describe it as a “void,” “blank space,” or even like “floating in a bubble” that separates them from reality.

This internal vacuum isn’t always dramatic or obvious. In fact, it can subtly shape your thoughts and behavior — causing you to lose interest in things you once loved, feel detached in relationships, or struggle with motivation. It’s often tied to issues like unresolved trauma, depression, anxiety, grief, or even a lack of purpose or self-worth.

Why Might You Feel Empty Inside?

Unresolved emotional pain can quietly build up over time. We often suppress difficult emotions like grief, heartbreak, rejection, or trauma, believing it’s easier than facing them. But these unresolved experiences can eventually leave us feeling empty.

A lack of purpose or meaning is another common cause. When life becomes routine, without any direction or deeper motivation, a sense of hollowness can creep in. Even when everything looks fine on the outside — a job, social life, or achievements — the inside may still feel unfulfilled.

Feeling emotionally disconnected from others can also lead to this void. You might be surrounded by people yet feel isolated, especially if your interactions lack depth or authenticity. When we don’t feel truly understood or accepted, loneliness can quickly turn into emptiness.

Low self-worth plays a significant role too. When we constantly feel inadequate or not “enough,” it erodes our inner foundation. This often comes from childhood conditioning, societal expectations, or toxic relationships that make us question our value.

In many cases, this feeling is linked to mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. These aren’t just emotional states — they involve real chemical and neurological factors that impact how we feel, think, and relate to the world.

How to Address the Feeling of Emptiness?

Start by acknowledging your feelings. Don’t try to push them away or distract yourself with overworking, scrolling, or binge-watching. Instead, sit with the emotion and accept that it’s okay to feel this way. Recognising your pain is the first step toward healing.

• Explore what might be at the root of this feeling. Ask yourself reflective questions: When did this start? What changed? Are there emotional wounds I’ve avoided confronting? Writing in a journal or talking with someone you trust can help clarify your inner state.

• Look for meaning in small things. It doesn’t have to be life-changing. Purpose can come from creative hobbies, spending time in nature, volunteering, or simply nurturing relationships. Little acts of intention can start filling the empty space inside.

• Nurture emotional connections. Try opening up to someone about how you’re feeling — vulnerability creates room for genuine connection. Seek out communities or support groups where you can be your authentic self. Feeling seen and heard can be incredibly healing.

• Take care of your mental health. If this feeling continues to interfere with your life, don’t hesitate to seek help from a therapist or counsellor. They can guide you through the process of understanding and healing. Reaching out is not weakness — it’s courage.

Above all, be kind to yourself. Talk to yourself gently, like you would to someone you love. You’re not alone in this, and it’s okay to take time to find your way back to emotional fullness.

Feeling empty inside doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. It means your inner self is asking to be heard, nurtured, and understood. When you stop ignoring that quiet voice and start listening with compassion, you’ll begin to rediscover meaning, connection, and the fullness of being alive.