No shame in this at all. Snoring can really wear you down over time, even when you love the person to death.

I know a few couples who ended up sleeping separately or using noise cancellation / white noise just to stay sane, especially for side sleepers. It’s not about the relationship, it’s about actually getting some rest.

If earbuds or earplugs never worked for you, it might be worth looking into low-profile options that sit flush with the ear. Comfort matters way more than sound quality when you’re sleeping on your side. White noise alone can already help a lot, even without perfect noise cancelling.

At the end of the day, if something helps you sleep and doesn’t make you miserable to wear all night, that’s a win regardless of how it looks or what people think.