A third of Americans who’ve ever been married may go on to divorce, but this isn’t an option for everyone. Barriers to legally breaking up can include financial constraints, religious or moral prohibitions, cultural values and stigma, fear, or simply practicality.

So, what’s an unhappily married person to do when they’re unable or unwilling to leave a relationship they can’t stand? Following are six tips to make the most out of a marriage that's making you miserable.

Note: The below is intended for individuals in unhappy but not abusive relationships only. If physical abuse, severe addiction, or exploitation is occurring, prioritize your safety and contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline if this is your experience.

Accepting what you can’t change (e.g., the fact that your partner is not who you wish they were) is an essential first step in managing your expectations with them and shifting the focus onto what you can control—namely: yourself and your behavior. Acceptance is not an easy task, however, and true acceptance (some call this radical acceptance) involves a difficult period of grieving. Allow yourself to do this. And note: Acceptance does not mean approval or enabling. It simply means letting go of the belief or hope that your partner can change in the exact way you want them to, or that your marriage will morph into the fairy tale you once hoped it would. (Hence the grief.)

When you’re committed to someone who has a laundry list of faults and countless........

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