Is My Relationship Over? 20 Signs to Figure It Out
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Marriage.com Editorial Team
The Marriage.com Editorial Team is a group of experienced relationship writers, experts, and mental health professionals. We provide practical and research-backed advice on relationships. Our content is thoroughly reviewed by experts to ensure that we offer high-quality and reliable relationship advice.
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Updated: 27 Mar, 2023
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Couples fight. It’s a normal part of a relationship.
But sometimes, it escalates into something messy that neither of you expects. Suddenly it hits you. “Is my relationship over?” “What have I done?” and “We can no longer return from this.”
What most people fail to realize is relationships do not just fail.
There are signs your relationship is failing way before the big fight. The fight is just the tipping point. But it didn’t get there overnight; it took some time to fill the glass and make you wonder, “Is my relationship over?”
20 signs your relationship is over
To find the answer to the question, “is my relationship over,” here are some red flags to look out to see when things started going downhill.
1. You don’t communicate
Either it ends up in an argument, or you just can’t stand hearing the childish reasoning of your partner, a breakdown in communication is the biggest red flag in a relationship.
2. Sex is a chore
You don’t know when it started, but when you or your partner feels sex is no longer fun. But if something you have to do because you’re in a relationship, then that’s a bad sign.
3. You avoid each other
If one or both partners purposely avoid talking, meeting, or being in the same room with their lover, then it’s one of the signs a relationship is not working.
Related Reading: 15 Relationship Traps Everyone Needs to Avoid
4. You argue over the same things
Couple arguments are normal, but doing it as part of your daily routine is not. That is especially true if you repeatedly fight about the same thing.
5. You reach outside of the relationship for support
A relationship or marriage is called a partnership for a reason. You are supposed to depend on each other. It’s even part of most wedding vows. The moment you stop doing it that is a big red flag.
6. Infidelity
Getting caught cheating is a common tipping point for a lot of relationships. It’s a slap in the face that says, “Our relationship is over.” Many cheat and get caught because they want their partner to know they no longer care.
7. Feeling of loneliness
It is possible to feel lonely in a relationship. When you are isolated, exhausted, and stressed continuously by what your partner says or does, you can’t help but feel lonely.
8. You negatively affect each other
For one reason or another, looking at your partner annoys you. Then you don’t need to ask, “Is my relationship over,” You are already at the tipping point and only waiting for the trigger to explode.
9. You don’t fight at all
Sometimes it can be difficult to understand when is it time to end a relationship. At times like these, assess the nature of your conflicts with each other.
In some relationships on the verge of dissolution, couples give up on fighting each other. It is not an indication of peace but of resignation and detachment. At this point, couples can become strangers to each other, so it is better to end the relationship.
10. You don’t share your joy
When is it over? Can you find signs of it?
Yes, if you see that you and your partner don’t share what makes you happy and brings you joy. Sharing your success and achievement with your partner brings you closer and enhances your bond. If you cannot do that, this might be a sign to walk away.
Related Reading: Embracing The Joy and Excitement of Planning a Family
11. You can’t be vulnerable around each other
Do you feel comfortable being vulnerable around your partner?
If your answer is no, it might be time to end things. You should be able to trust your partner with your emotions and feel safe telling them your deepest thoughts.
12. Averse to getting professional help
Seeking outside help from experts is an excellent first step. If you and your partner can cooperate long enough to find the right therapist, you’re on your way to a proper reconciliation. But if one or both of you refuse, then you might be done with the relationship.
13. Lack of respect
Many couples break apart because they feel their close relations give them the right to meddle with every aspect of their partner’s lives. This is a big reason why many people feel their relationship is suffocating and leads to other problems.
Respecting your partner and returning the special treatment is extremely important for a couple to feel safe within a relationship.
14. An unhealthy imbalance
Balance can help guarantee happiness for both partners in a relationship. But if there is an imbalance in power and focus, one partner may suffer.
If all the time is spent taking care of the needs of one partner, then it might be time to end the relationship. Continuing this dynamic can lead to resentment, frustration and insecurities in the long run.
Watch this video to help if you feel you are giving in too much to the relationship:
15. You don’t share laughter anymore
Humor in a relationship has the potential to bring a couple together and help them make a lasting bond filled with wonderful memories.
If you and your partner can no longer share laughter and have fun with each other, then it might be time to move on. Without these, the relationship can become increasingly more negative with time and bring less joy to individuals in the relationship.
16. You have serious doubts about the future of your relationship
If you have serious doubts about the relationship and its place in your future, then your relationship might be on the verge of being over. This is because it showcases some underlying doubts, negativity and lack of faith in the relationship.
17. You take pleasure in hurting each other
Sometimes relationships can deteriorate to the point where one or both partners say and do things to hurt each other. This happens because there might be too many unresolved issues, resentment and anger toward each other.
If you find yourself repeatedly saying or doing hurtful things toward your partner, you should consider breaking up soon.
18. You feel apologetic about who you are
Relationships require work, but walking away from a relationship is better if it makes you feel bad about yourself. Being with someone you love should ideally make you feel more confident in your skin instead of developing more doubts and insecurities.
19. Your future goals don’t align
Well, is the relationship over? Yes, if you are both working towards goals that are not aligned with each other.
For example, it might be better to end things if you are working on buying a house in the city while your partner wants to live in the countryside.
You can try working with a relationship therapist to see if there is a potential to make things work. And so, ultimately, it might be time to end things
20. You like being apart for long periods
Have you thought, “Don’t think my relationship is over?” Then try to assess the impact of their absence in your life.
If the distance from a partner makes a person feel relieved, happy and free, then this might be the time to break up. It reveals a genuine lack of attachment, regard and bond between the couple.
Some commonly asked questions
Learning how to know when a relationship is over can seem extremely difficult, as it can change things significantly. Here are answers to some pressing questions that can clarify things for you.
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When should you let go of a relationship?
The relationship is already over if you or your partner have more than a few flags mentioned above. It’s just waiting for a formality at this point. The warning signs are there and are the only thing occupying your day.
You have to choose to turn the situation around or walk away.
Deciding when to end a relationship is a complicated situation. It’s possible that you are being threatened or you have young children to raise. It can also be a case of not being able to support yourself financially once you end it.
In such cases, you feel trapped and continue with the toxic relationship until an alternative presents itself. An option that sometimes never comes.
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At what point do most relationships end?
If nothing is tying you together and you have most of the signs mentioned above, then it is at this point that you can end the relationship.
There’s no point in forcing yourself when you are no longer compatible. Sometimes, taking a break to clear your head can help you figure out if it’s still worth it.
When you know it’s over but want to turn things around, you should be prepared for an uphill battle.
Final thoughts
Knowing whether or not your relationship is over is irrelevant.
It follows that the question “Is my relationship over” is the wrong question to ask. The right question has always been, “Do you want to continue your relationship?” You can end it at any time and deal with the consequences.
It’s never about being knocked down. It’s all about getting back again.
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Marriage.com Editorial Team
Relationship & Marriage Advice
The Marriage.com Editorial Team is a group of experienced relationship writers, experts, and mental health professionals. We provide practical and research-backed advice on relationships. Our content is thoroughly reviewed by experts... Read more to ensure that we offer high-quality and reliable relationship advice. Read less
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