One or both of you may become complacent and just adjust to what your relationship’s new normal is, which doesn’t include meeting each other’s needs. Relationships take a lot of work, and some couples experience difficulty maintaining the health of their partnership for various reasons. In general, there are many warning signs to look out for that could mean that a breakup is close by. If a nagging feeling of suspicion just won’t leave you (Conti calls this feeling “obsessively suspicious”), the relationship is on its last leg. When it becomes clear that the relationship isn’t salvageable, it’s time to have the dreaded talk.
Relationships can be complicated and it’s not always easy to know when it’s time to call it quits. Here are some signs that may indicate your relationship is over:
The only hope for saving the relationship is if you are both willing to talk to a relationship expert to work things out. But if one or both of you aren’t willing to seek relationship advice from a qualified professional, chances are it’s a sign your relationship can’t be saved. Deciding if your relationship is over or if it should be is no easy task.
1. Lack of Communication
Communication is key in any relationship. When you find yourselves constantly arguing or avoiding difficult conversations, it may be a sign that the connection is fading.
Some people want to hold on to resentment for their own reasons, perhaps because their hurt feels too great to forgive and let go. In other cases, the person who is resented is incapable of stopping the behavior that is causing resentment—another potential dead end. In the strange 2020 world, many couples may need more day-to-day space with each other than they are getting, as they are perhaps spending more time together than they ever have before (or were meant to).
2. Trust Issues
Trust is the foundation of a healthy relationship. If you find yourself questioning your partner’s actions or if they are constantly lying to you, it may be a clear indication that the relationship is no longer sustainable.
Most people I have coached or treated were in relationships they knew were over for a year or so before they actually ended it. Relationships can be complicated, but to be functional, they may require fundamentals such as understanding, support, and intimacy at the heart of all of them. Relationships that lack one or all these basic aspects can become unraveled.
But if you feel any of these things in your relationship, it’s better to end things in a healthy way rather than of sticking around for them to get even worse. Sometimes, trusting your gut feeling can help you make the right decision just by paying attention to how your body reacts to a situation. There’s a reason why the old saying ‘trust your gut feeling’ is still going strong today. We can often spend hours over- thinking a situation, but never reaching a conclusion.
3. Loss of Intimacy
Intimacy is an important aspect of any relationship. If you find that you and your partner have lost interest in being intimate with each other, it may be a sign that the emotional connection has deteriorated.
4. Different Goals and Values
Goals and values play a significant role in a relationship. If you and your partner have conflicting goals or values that are causing constant disagreements, it may be time to reevaluate the future of the relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Can a relationship be saved once these signs start appearing?
- A: It is possible to work through issues and save a relationship, but both partners need to be willing to put in the effort.
- Q: How do I know if it’s worth trying to salvage the relationship?
- A: Reflect on whether the relationship brings more joy than pain, and if both partners are committed to making positive changes.
Ultimately, knowing when to end a relationship is a personal decision that should be made with careful consideration. If you identify with any of the signs mentioned above, it may be time to have an honest conversation with your partner about the state of your relationship.
