In the beginning you may have found yourself madly in love with your partner and then suddenly you’re not sure if you want to stay in the relationship anymore. Unfortunately, not all relationships last. There are many aspects of a relationship that keep the foundation strong and long-lasting. If the foundation of your relationship has broken, or the love is gone, it may be time to walk away from the relationship. Here are some ways to know if it is time for you to move on.
When You Don’t Feel the Same Way
Attraction and intimacy is incredibly important in a romantic relationship. If you’re no longer attracted to your partner, you may have to ask yourself if this is just a rut or if you’re staying in the relationship simply because it’s comfortable. You may find yourself wanting to spend less time with them than before. You deserve to have healthy intimacy in your relationship (either physical or emotional intimacy). If you’re no longer being intimate with your partner, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship, and if it is worth staying in. If you don’t feel close to your partner anymore, it can be helpful to have an honest conversation with them.
You Feel You Can’t Grow
When you’re in a relationship, it’s important for you to grow as a couple and also individually. Change is inevitable. Sometimes in relationships, you may feel as though your partner is holding you back, or you grow apart. If you feel your partner is no longer supporting your growth or you have nothing in common anymore, talk to your partner. If your needs in the relationship can’t be met, it’s possible the relationship has run its course and it may be time to move on.
No Balance in the Relationship
Relationships that are healthy usually have equal give and take. If you feel the balance has become unbalanced in your relationship and you give, but it’s not being reciprocated, this could end up causing resentment down the road. A relationship is most healthy when it is a partnership where you’re a team.
You Don’t Trust Them
Trust creates a strong foundation in any relationship. If you’re lacking trust in your relationship, it’s important to analyze where this mistrust comes from. It’s possible it is caused from your own experiences in the past, unrelated to your current relationship. If that’s the case, that’s something you may need to work on personally. However, if your current partner has done something to break your trust, such as cheating, while it is possible to fix, it may be hard to gain the trust back. Once the trust is broken, cracks in your relationship usually begin to appear. If you truly love someone and want to make it work, it’s important to communicate clearly and express your feelings so you can begin to repair your relationship. If after some time, you really feel you can’t trust this person, it may be time to walk away.
Don’t See a Future
If you’ve been in a relationship for a while and you don’t see a future with them, it may be time to walk away. It’s important you want the same things and have your futures aligned to have a healthy, long-lasting relationship. If you choose to stay with someone when you don’t see a future and they do, it’s unfair to your partner and you’re possibly keeping them from potentially finding someone who does want a future with them. If the roles are reversed and you want a future with your partner but they’ve expressed they don’t want to get married or have kids and you do, you may need to decide if that is a deal breaker for you. If it is and you choose to stay, you may end up resenting them for it.
Loss of Respect
A mutual respect is incredibly important in any relationship. Respect is when you see your partner as an equal. If you respect them, you appreciate them as their own person with their own interests, opinions, and feelings. Couples show respect in different ways such as listening to each other, acknowledging their needs, being compassionate, and supporting them. If there is a loss of respect in a relationship from either partner, it might be hard to get it back. Respect is critical for the survival of a relationship. A relationship without it could potentially be filled with resentment and anger. Studies show that a lack of respect is one of the biggest causes of a breakup. If there is a lack of respect in your relationship, it may be time to walk away.
When There’s Abuse
If there’s any abuse in the relationship whether it be mental, emotional, and especially physical, it’s important to examine your relationship. No one deserves to experience any kind of abuse in a relationship. If you or someone you know is experiencing physical abuse in your relationship, it’s important to get help right away. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) for support and guidance. It’s completely free and confidential.
Feeling Controlled
If you find yourself feeling controlled by your partner, this is a major red flag that the relationship has become unhealthy. You should never feel like you have to hide who you are or what you do in order to please your partner; relationships should involve honesty and trust on both sides. A healthy relationship allows for freedom of expression without fear of judgment or criticism from either party.
Bottom Line
Making the decision to walk away from a relationship is never easy. If you’re wondering if it’s time to move on from a relationship, it may be helpful to get some support from a professional. They can offer advice and guidance for you to overcome this challenging time in your life.
