Yep, fear, inertia, fear of change, laziness, masochism, obligation, duty, addiction, fear of loneliness. All the usual dysfunctional reasons people allow themselves to stay stuck in limiting situations.
I found the courage to leave a 22 yr. marriage when my daughter was 15 and I have never been happier than I have been the last 8, almost 9 years.
While I have empathy for those that struggle with this issue, I also feel a sense of disgust, I mean it is YOUR LIFE…do you not think that you DESERVE happiness?
I let go of a friend in this situation some months ago, I just couldn’t deal with her never ending martyrdom, staying with her verbally abusive and 2 time cheating husband of 30 years. Of course there were other reasons as well, but, being one that took that leap off the cliff into the unknown, I just cannot listen to those that choose to bemoan their fate and stay stuck in chronic victimhood anymore. Just too far removed from my reality.