Everyone wants to find their perfect match. But in order to do that, unfortunately some relationships must come and go. If someone in a relationship is not happy, it’s sometimes best to end the relationship to make both parties happier.
There are some signs that can be seen early on that can signify that a breakup may be in the near future. These signs show that maybe something is not working and needs to be changed in order for the relationship to succeed, or a breakup will ensue. Read on to learn more about these critical signs that you must look for in your own relationship.
1. Constant Arguments
If you and your partner are having frequent arguments, your relationship is probably not going to last. Having arguments often is extremely draining, both physically and mentally. Even if some arguments end in a positive resolution, the fact that the arguments occur in the first place is not negative.
It means you and your partner have a hard time having effective discussions with each other about the things that bother you without ending up arguing with each other. These arguments pile onto each other and create long term feelings of stress for everyone involved.
2. Feeling Controlled
Nobody wants to feel like a dog on a leash when it comes to their significant other. If you feel like small aspects of your life are being controlled by your partner, chances are you may want to end the relationship.
Whether it comes from a lack of trust on their behalf of you, or a need to feel in control, having too many rules and restrictions on your partner is not the right thing to do. Relationships are supposed to be mutual agreements between two people, not a set of rules you have to follow.
3. Withholding Affection
Part of a relationship is signs of affection. This can take embodiment in many forms such as physical touch, words of affirmation, giving gifts, and spending time together. If your partner is withholding some of these aspects of showing affection, it’s time to question why that is.
You deserve to be shown love by the other person and it should be expected of them to do so. This creates emotional distance between you and your partner and a loss of the feelings of intimacy that are so important to have.
4. Avoiding Future Planning
If you try to bring up your plans for your future, whether they be your individual plans or plans between you and your partner, you should be met with openness. If instead you are shut down and the discussion is brushed off, you may need to rethink your relationship. Your partner should be excited to think about and discuss the future that the two of you will have together, not ignore it.
This may also mean that the two of you are not on the same page regarding your individual futures or the future of your relationship and you may need to sit down and try to have a discussion about what the future looks like for the two of you.
5. Feeling Suffocated
You may feel smothered by your partner, limiting your feelings of freedom and causing you to feel overwhelmed. If you notice that you are beginning to feel happier when your partner is not around, this may mean that you are unhappy when you are together.
This can happen to some people when their partner is engaging in too much physical touch, texting or talking too often, or constantly pestering you to spend more time together. If this is the case, try to communicate with your partner why you feel this way and see if they can agree to take a step back.
6. Unmet Expectations
Having expectations of each other is a massive part of a healthy relationship. These expectations can range from promises about communicating, expressing one’s true feelings, or even small details like agreements pertaining to household chores.
When these expectations are held up by both parties, those boundaries you worked so hard to build are not being fulfilled. Have a discussion about why these expectations are not being met, whether it’s from a lack of effort or an incapability to perform.
7. Unilateral Decision-Making
Relationships are built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect between two people. Therefore, a large aspect of the connection between the two of you is being able to make decisions together, big or small.
The conclusions should be made as a result of a productive discussion being held, where both sides can explain how they’re feeling and what they want. When your partner makes a big decision by themselves that will heavily affect your relationship, that stems from a lack of communication and should be acknowledged.
8. Lack of Conversation
Stonewalling is the term for when someone refuses to have conversations and instead simply shuts down. This can provide for a very difficult time having conversations with each other to progress the relationship further. This can occur because they are overwhelmed thinking about the future, don’t enjoy discussing their feelings, or have difficulty expressing what they want.
Whatever the reason may be, it’s time to ask your significant other why it’s so hard for them to have those important conversations with you and why it’s so crucial that you work it out. If you can’t have a true discussion, your relationship will not thrive.
9. Different Values
They say opposites attract when it comes to relationships. While this may be the case, there are some situations where if the two parties are too different, the relationship will not last. This is especially the case when it comes to critical values such as politics, religion, family matters, or plans for the future.
If the two of you do not share the same values, it can be hard to come to meaningful conclusions about your relationship. Especially when it’s time to start a family and possibly raise children, it’s important that you and your partner can collectively decide which values are important to you.
10. Pressure of Outside Opinions
Ultimately, what you communicate to your partner should be what you and only you want. If there is too much pressure from outside opinions on your relationship that genuinely hold power and influence, that is a negative sign. You and your significant other should have a solid opinion understanding between each other that should not be so easily influenced by the outside opinions of others.
It’s normal to consult family and friends for advice, but when they are extremely vocal about their feelings to the point where it heavily affects you and your connection, it can have negative implications. Make sure that the needs you and your significant other are expressing to each other are genuinely your own wants and needs and not coming from those around you.
Communication is Key!
As long as you and your partner stay open with each other and on the same page, your relationship can last. Effective communication is the number one factor that must be met to sustain a connection and ensure that the two of you will be happy and healthy while involved with one another.
If you start to notice any of these signs in your relationship, take a step back and figure out if the connection can be salvaged or if the endeavor should be put to rest in the best interests of everyone involved.
