Relationships can be an exhausting yet exhilarating piece of our lives. Break-ups and make-ups are a part of life, and in the future, you’ll be able to look back and say you learned from them. Through the ups and downs, however, it can be hard to decide when to hold on and when to let go of someone. As sensitive human beings, we like to spare others’ feelings and avoid conflict which can lead to us staying in toxic or unhealthy relationships. Here are some signs that your relationship is not healthy and you might be better off separating from your partner.
Your health is suffering
Sometimes at the end of a relationship, we don’t realize the toll that it has taken on our mental or physical health. Continuous arguing or tension with your partner can elicit several symptoms of stress like hair loss or insomnia. You can minimize some of these effects of stress with a hair loss treatment or natural sleep aids, or by seeking advice from a medical professional. While medications are viable solutions for these symptoms, you should perceive these as signs of some weakness in your relationship that needs to be addressed and followed up with therapy or counseling.
Your relationship with your family is affected
A common signal of an unhealthy relationship is when your family or loved ones disapprove of the relationship. While you shouldn’t make decisions about your relationship solely based upon the opinions of others, when the whole family does not approve, it can be very telling. If your relationship or your partner is driving a wedge between you and your loved ones, it’s time to cut ties. If your partner gets angry, upset, or jealous when you want to spend time with someone besides them, or verbalizes their blatant dislike of your family, that is not healthy behavior and could mean it’s time to break up.
There is a lack of communication
Communication is known to be one of the keys to a healthy relationship, and when that communication starts to fade away, it can be detrimental. If you or your partner are neglecting to express your feelings or needs, there’s a chance that it’s a major contributor to your unhappiness. There are little ways to improve communication with your partner every day, like asking them questions, listening to them, and expressing your appreciation. However, if you see little improvement after a lot of effort, you might find that you might communicate better with someone else.
There’s a mutual sense of unhappiness
Most healthy relationships go through rough patches; however, when your happiness is sacrificed, your relationship has likely reached an unhealthy point. Oftentimes, couples experience hardships that they can’t get past, but continue to hold onto their relationship. Some ways to tell you’re unhappy include not feeling good enough, finding everyday tasks meaningless, and feeling like you don’t belong. When you start to notice that you’re unhappy the majority of the time you spend with your partner, consider moving on.
You’re thinking about someone else
Amidst the tension or obstacles that you and your partner may be facing, you might find yourself thinking about what might have become of a past relationship. This is not something to feel bad about because you’re only human, but there could be a deeper meaning to dreaming about a past relationship with someone else. This is a clear indication that you are in a troubled relationship. If you’re thinking about someone other than your significant other, it’s time to reevaluate your existing relationship and get to the root of the problem.
You have different values
As you’re developing a relationship with someone, it can take a while for you to get to know them. You learn about their personality, their future goals, and their outlook on life. Upon these new conversations, you might find that your partner has different values or doesn’t want the same things as you. If you’re looking to get married and have children but find out your partner doesn’t believe in marriage, there is nothing wrong with deciding not to spend any more time with that person. It can be not only healthy, but also fun to look for new people who have the same values as you, so don’t be afraid to end the relationship and seek a partner who is compatible with your personality.
Others are encouraging you to end your relationship
It’s one thing if your family doesn’t approve of your relationship, but when your family and friends are vocal about their concern for your relationship, it can be a tough pill to swallow. However, sometimes the people that are closest to us have better judgment than we think. As hard as it may seem, an outside perspective can be really beneficial when making a decision, especially from one who has your best interest at heart. Despite the urge to disregard anyone’s perception of your relationship, take input from your loved ones when you are unsure of what you should do.
There are signs of physical or emotional abuse
Physical or emotional abuse from a partner can be very difficult to identify. Physical abuse can come in many different forms, like restraining, shoving, or reckless driving. Emotional abuse, on the other hand, can present as anything from insults to intimidation to financial dependence. Abuse of any kind is grounds for terminating a relationship, so it’s critical to recognize signs early on for your own safety. If you’re a victim of domestic violence and are looking to get out of your relationship or simply need advice, try a resource hotline for domestic assault.
Though it can be one of the hardest decisions to make in life, cutting ties with your relationship could be exactly what you need to do to improve your overall well-being. When you’re with someone you love, it can be so much harder to recognize patterns of unhealthy behaviors. This is why it’s so important to listen to your loved ones when something seems off and to take a step back and reevaluate whether or not you should be in this relationship.
However, remember that there are very few relationship problems that can’t be solved. There are ample ways to improve your relationship once you can address the issue. If you both, as a couple, cannot seem to solve your problems on your own, seek advice from a couple’s therapist, because if you really believe you are with the right person, it deserves all the effort necessary to salvage your relationship.