The Sacred Shift | Intuitive Guidance With Suzette Lindo

Most people believe infidelity is the main reason relationships fall apart. While cheating is certainly one of the top causes, it’s not the number one reason relationships break down. The biggest issue, one that quietly erodes love over time, is power struggle. And power struggles most often show up in two areas: money and parenting.

When power becomes unbalanced, respect begins to fade. And once respect is compromised, connection follows closely behind.

Money as a Power Dynamic

Money is rarely just about money. It represents security, freedom, control, and value. When one partner earns more than the other, a financial imbalance already exists, even if both partners care deeply for one another. That imbalance becomes more damaging when the lower-earning partner is still expected to contribute equally to household expenses.

What looks “fair” on paper doesn’t always feel fair in real life. Over time, the partner earning less may feel pressured, inadequate, or resentful, while the higher earner may unconsciously feel entitled to more control over decisions. Without clear communication, money quietly turns into a tool of power rather than partnership.

When One Partner Carries the Financial Weight

Another major financial strain occurs when there is a loss of income. Job loss, illness, or unexpected life changes can force one partner to assume full financial responsibility. While many couples are willing to do this temporarily, long-term financial pressure without emotional support or appreciation can build deep resentment.

The partner carrying the load may feel overwhelmed, unseen, or taken for granted. Meanwhile, the partner who is not contributing financially may experience guilt, shame, or a loss of identity. If these emotions remain unspoken, they slowly poison the relationship.

Investing in Potential and the Cost of Waiting

One of the most painful financial dynamics in relationships is investing in a partner’s potential. This happens when one partner supports the other financially or emotionally, believing the sacrifice is temporary and trusting that their partner will eventually step up.

When growth doesn’t happen, hope turns into disappointment. Disappointment turns into frustration. And frustration turns into resentment. At that point, the relationship often shifts from an equal partnership to a parent-child dynamic, one gives, one takes. Attraction fades, respect erodes, and emotional distance grows.

How Financial Power Struggles Spill Into the Relationship

Unresolved financial tension doesn’t stay confined to money. It spills into communication, intimacy, decision-making, and parenting. One partner may feel controlled or undervalued, while the other feels burdened or exploited. This is how relationships slowly break, not through one dramatic event, but through ongoing imbalance and unaddressed resentment.

Healthy relationships aren’t about who makes more money. They’re about mutual respect, shared responsibility, and honest communication. When couples address financial power dynamics early, before resentment sets in, they create space for trust, balance, and long-term connection.

A Final Reflection

Money will always be part of relationships, but power doesn’t have to be. When both partners feel respected, valued, and heard, finances become a shared responsibility, not a weapon.