My sitch started a couple of years ago. My H stopped wearing his wedding ring in about 2000 because he said it got in the way when working out. Also he's not a jewelry kind of guy. I was sad that it wasn't more special to him but it wasn't, so he hasn't worn it in years. Many many years after that, he left our marriage, so maybe there was more to it, but at the beginning I doubt it. Anyway that's the story of his ring.
I wore my rings until very recently mainly because they are pretty. They are among the nicest things I own and I get to wear them every day. More mainly, because they signify that I'm married, and I'm still married until I'm divorced. When I'm divorced I will not wear them.
Right now I'm in the in-between state of being legally married but not in a marriage. I've been living apart from him and being a single mom for a year and a half. I'm not dating until after I'm divorced. So the meaning behind the rings is a lot less relevant to me now.
It took me a long time to get there but I look at the rings and they are more memories than symbols of a real commitment. I will wear them when I feel like it because they're pretty and I'm still married. I take them off for gardening or to weigh in at WeightWatchers (silly I know), and then sometimes don't bother putting them back on for a few days or more. That's because it doesn't mean much of anything to me whether I have them on or not. What my H notices or thinks is not the least bit relevant to me...he left over a year ago and if he thinks anything at all he probably thinks it strange that I still have a wedding band on...he indicates no intention of ever coming back.
What other men might think is a non-issue because if they take action on their thought (ie approach me for a date) I can handle that as it comes up. Probably with a no.
Like I said, it took years for my emotions to settle to this, until then I was attached to them, attached meaning to them, and wanted to wear them, and so I did.
I hope that is somewhat helpful.
Adinva 51, S20, S18 M24 total 6/15/11-12/1/12 From IDLY to H moving out 9/15/15-3/7/17 From negotiating SA to final D at age 50 5/8/17-now: New relationship with an old friend __ Happiness is a warm puppy.
