15 Red Flags That Your Relationship Might Be on the Rocks

Relationships can be tough, and sometimes, we don’t notice when things start to go wrong. You might feel a bit more distant, find yourself avoiding certain conversations, or sense that the excitement just isn’t what it used to be. These little changes might not seem like a big deal, but they can be clues that something deeper is going on. Paying attention to these signs can help you figure out if your relationship needs some extra care. Here are some things to watch out for that might mean it’s time to reconnect.

Note: The content of this article does not reflect the writer’s personal beliefs.

You Don’t Trust Each Other

Do you truly trust your partner? Of course, trust must be earned, and if you are at the very beginning of your relationship, you may still have to figure this out. But if you’ve been together for quite some time and still don’t trust each other, you probably never will.

You Cannot Plan

Planning is crucial for long-term success. You need to be organized if you want to have a house and kids. Even though you may not like it, spending a lifetime together requires lots of effort and scheduling, so if one of you two struggles with this, you may have big challenges to face ahead of you.

You Have Different Values 

Unfortunately, having different values often leads to breakups. Even though you don’t have to agree on everything, there are a few basic factors on which you should have similar opinions. Is family important to you? What are your political views? What about your religious beliefs?

You Don’t Respect Each Other

You cannot have a successful relationship without respect. Can you both maintain politeness and kindness even when disagreeing? Do you have a deep esteem for your loved ones? Do you admire him for his life choices and personal traits? Respect is non-negotiable.

You Are Codependent 

So many love stories are bound to fail because of this. When we fall in love, we often forget about everything else. This means that we no longer take care of our passions and hobbies, and all we want to do is spend as much time as possible with our beloved partner. While this is normal initially, this behavior will negatively affect your relationship in the long run.

You Don’t Have Shared Goals 

Before committing to a serious relationship, always figure out whether you have similar goals, especially if you are no longer in your early twenties. By now, you surely know whether you want to have kids or live in a specific country. There is no point in spending years together and breaking up later because you realize you have contrasting life goals.

You Don’t Know How To Fight

Fights are unavoidable in long-term relationships. Your goal is not to try to avoid them but to learn how to deal with them. Avoid shouting and disrespecting each other. Instead, listen carefully, try to see your partner’s perspective, and take a break from the argument if needed.

Addictions 

Addictions are never easy to solve. If one of you two is dealing with one right now, it may be extremely tough to make your relationship flourish. Not by chance, in the USA, roughly 7.3% of marriages end in divorce due to addiction.

You Keep Breaking Up

Have you already broken up a hundred times? If your friends don’t even ask you how you are feeling because they are so used to the two of you breaking up and getting back together, then there’s probably something wrong. You may be in a breaking-up phase, which may go on for months, sometimes even a year, but will eventually end badly.

You Are Happier Without Each Other

There is no reason to stay in a relationship if you are feeling happier without him. While we all need some time to be alone, if you’re constantly miserable when you are together and can only be happy away from him, it is probably time to let go and move on.

You Avoid Important Conversations

If you or your partner keep avoiding tough conversations, like talking about money, future plans, or even your feelings, it could be a sign of a communication problem. Healthy relationships need open and honest talks, even when it’s hard. If you’re dodging these discussions, it might mean there are deeper issues you both need to face.

You Don’t Know How To Compromise

You will never find a partner with whom you agree on everything. You may have a mismatched libido, you may need more time to spend alone and with your friends, or you may want to buy a house in the city while he wants to get one in the countryside. Learning how to compromise is key.

You Hide Your Emotions

Is one of you regularly hiding his emotions? Maybe you can tell your partner is jealous even though he will never admit it. Or you may get used to hearing the sentence, ‘You should know why I am angry.’ Being able to openly talk about your feelings is the only way to solve your problems.

You Bicker Constantly

While a bit of fighting may spice up your relationship, if you cannot spend one day without bickering over trivial matters, one of the two will soon get tired of this relationship. A good way to put an end to it is to simply acknowledge your triggers, share them with your partner, and try your best to avoid bringing them up.

You Don’t Have Boundaries

Boundaries are fundamental for all sorts of relationships. For instance, you may agree to never invalidate each other’s emotions and always be honest with each other. Also, make sure to discuss physical boundaries. Are you uncomfortable with certain things, such as public displays of affection?

More For You

Hopefully, none of this applies to your relationship. If this is the case, congratulations! It is time to celebrate with a dinner out for two! If you don’t know what to wear, don’t panic. Here, we come to the rescue. Check out these tips to elevate a simple white dress.

This article was first published on the RB ITALIA Blog.