In order to make a relationship work, you have to invest a lot of time and energy into it. The more work you put into a relationship, the more it affects your entire life. If you've invested a lot in a relationship with someone it can be hard to let go. This is especially true if children are involved or if you are worried you haven't really tried hard enough to make things work. It's also hard to be alone and if you haven't been single in a long time it can be scary. And depending on how long the relationship was, there may also be property and money that has to be divided up. But if you aren't happy in your relationship it's important to end it.
Knowing when to end a relationship is a very important skill. Knowing when to end things will help you cut your losses, stay mentally healthy, and move on towards the relationship you deserve. If you stay with someone you don't want to be with the truth is you aren't doing anyone any favors. You deserve to be happy and so does your partner.
Here are some signs to help you know if it's time to end a relationship.
1. There isn't enough goodness anymore. Of course, you need good chemistry and shared values but ultimately relationships are built on the foundation of goodness and kindness between two people. A couple should always try to be kind to each other and supportive of each other's goals. None of us are perfect so it also means being willing to forgive mistakes and flaws. A relationship is good when there is support, respect, and dedication. But unfortunately, these good qualities can start to disappear over time. If you or both of you are constantly irritable, angry, and no longer show respect then a lot of times there has been a great deal of damage in the relationship and it might not be possible to recover from.
2. You aren't being respected. Respect is extremely important. Even small things matter because the way you are treated by someone ultimately shows their true personality and how they really feel about you. Disrespectful behavior isn't always immediately recognizable but if it's something that happens a lot you'll feel it. Things like lying, insulting, and cheating are all signs that your partner doesn't respect you. If they do something that upsets you and you talk to them about it and they continue doing it then that's a bad sign. If your partner doesn't care about your wellbeing then it's time to end the relationship.
3. It's never about you. Both people in a relationship should feel there is space for them to grow and develop as individuals and to feel that their dreams matter. There should be plenty of opportunities for both people to have their needs met. But in some relationships, there is an imbalance and one person's wants and needs are constantly put first. A relationship that revolves around one person can't last for long. The other person will become angry and feel used.
4. You are trying way too hard. It's already been mentioned that relationships take work, but it should be a two-way street. There should always be an equal amount of give and take. When a relationship is no longer working it can feel like you are the only one working on maintaining it, and that's because you probably are. This is bad because eventually, you'll start to feel angry and resentful. But even though relationships take work, you shouldn't feel like it's a huge burden. If you feel this way, the relationship is probably dying.
The end of a relationship, especially one that lasted a long time, is always hard for everyone involved. But it's important to respect yourself and sometimes letting someone go is the best thing you can do. You are just as good as anyone else and you deserve to be happy. It's not worth it to waste time on a relationship that can't be fixed. You'll find someone that makes you happy and hopefully, your ex will too. Staying with someone that isn't right for you doesn't help anyone in the end.
I'll always remember a conversation I had with a former work colleague who was much older than me. "After a year or two, any relationship turns sour, gets boring, becomes flat like roadkill in the middle of a motorway." I shook my head because I refused to believe it. I still don't believe it, but what I've concluded is that many people are scared to end things and move on. They get into a routine and would rather continue down the drab road they're on instead of turning left into pastures new. Turning sour, boring and flat are the easy options, and are symptoms of a lack of imagination, or at least a lack of courage to end things.
A successful union requires more than physical or
emotional compatibility and stimulation. One thing we must understand is our
limits and flaws as human beings. When we meet someone our flaws are present;
some are obvious, others aren’t. Great relationships are like a well kept lawn. It doesn't get to be green and lush by itself, it require constant maintenance. Many great relationships can and will come to an end if both are not invested for the long haul. How you treat each other in the good and also the tough times will be a strong indicator where the relationship is heading.
I'll always remember a conversation I had with a former work colleague who was much older than me. "After a year or two, any relationship turns sour, gets boring, becomes flat like roadkill in the middle of a motorway." I shook my head because I refused to believe it. I still don't believe it, but what I've concluded is that many people are scared to end things and move on. They get into a routine and would rather continue down the drab road they're on instead of turning left into pastures new. Turning sour, boring and flat are the easy options, and are symptoms of a lack of imagination, or at least a lack of courage to end things.
A successful union requires more than physical or
emotional compatibility and stimulation. One thing we must understand is our
limits and flaws as human beings. When we meet someone our flaws are present;
some are obvious, others aren’t. Great relationships are like a well kept lawn. It doesn't get to be green and lush by itself, it require constant maintenance. Many great relationships can and will come to an end if both are not invested for the long haul. How you treat each other in the good and also the tough times will be a strong indicator where the relationship is heading.