When is it time to walk away from your relationship?
Some people enter into unhealthy relationships which are dysfunctional from the very beginning. If this is you, one reason could be that you are repeatedly attracting a particular type of person into your life who is detrimental to your well-being. In particular, if you notice that your relationships constantly fail, you may like to read my article here on how your past may be controlling your present. In this instance, you should walk away from your relationship without hesitation, and learn how to attract a healthy and functional relationship into your life, and one that you truly deserve.
For others, a relationship between two compatible mates may start out well, and may indeed continue to thrive from anywhere between months to years. However, if a time comes when you are feeling that you have lost closeness and connection with your partner, it is a sure sign that you are setting up a store of problems for the future. If awkwardness is developing between you, you and your partner need to take a close look at yourselves, and make a decision about whether you want to try and get professional help to salvage the relationship, or move forward to pastures new.
This article looks at the 10 signs that the relationship is floundering, and is ready for some major changes.
1. Arguing
All couples argue, but if you are fighting more than you are making up, it's a good sign that things aren't likely to improve any time soon. As relationships break apart, both partners start to look for things to fight about, and not just the major issues. Little things can be the biggest source of criticizm. When you're just looking for ways to hurt each other and can't seem to agree on anything, it's time to take action.
2. Lack of communication
Talking to each other is the key to a successful relationship. If you notice that you have increasingly less to say to your partner, and you're not really interested in what they are doing on a daily basis, it's a sign that your days together are numbered.
3. No future plans
When a relationship is going well and romance is strong, a couple plan together and talk about the future. A sign that things are coming to an end is when you stop discussing what might happen one day, and begin to live solely in the here and now.
4. Distance
If your partner or yourself prefer to be anywhere else than together, it is a warning sign that you may be better off apart, even if only temporarily until you each sort out what you want. Happy couples who are in love want to spend time with each other.
5. Depression
If you notice that you are feeling more and more miserable the longer you spend with your partner, you should look for a solution. Relationships are supposed to make you feel happy and strong, not pull you down.
6. Talking negatively about your partner
Our natural instinct when a romance is going well is to defend our partner from any outside criticizm. If you find that you are the one talking badly about your significant other to friends or family members, you need to take a step back and consider the future of your relationship. Saying negative things about your partner when their back is turned shows a move towards the end of the line.
7. Personality changes
You think you know your partner well, so why is s/he suddenly behaving like somebody else? Sometimes, when a relationship is nearing the end, one partner will suddenly start to act differently, more aggressively, more angrily or more privately, excluding you from areas of their life. When that happens, it's inevitable that the end is near.
8. Threats to leave
Occasionally, during an argument, partners threaten to leave each other. However, the more frequently the threats are bandied around, the more likely it is that they are no longer an empty threat.
9. Special occasions are no longer celebrated with effort
Your anniversary or birthday has just come and gone, and somehow it just didn’t seem so special this year. In the past, you typically received gorgeous roses with a heartfelt card from your partner, whilst this year, your birthday present comprised a plastic chopping board for the kitchen with a ‘to-from’ tag attached. You get the idea? The level of effort you now invest into special occasions for each other is declining at a substantial rate.
10. Trust your instincts
Sometimes, you can't quite put your finger on it, but something inside is informing you that your relationship just isn't right. Don't ignore your gut instincts, they are usually correct. Whether it's an issue with your partner, or something inside of yourself, trying to pretend that everything is fine when it isn't, is just delaying the inevitable.