More often than not, it’s worth it to keep working on a difficult relationship, but not always. Sometimes, this decision can be a tough one that takes multiple things into account before you decide to stay in a relationship or not. Let these signs help guide you to determine if you should stay or go…
Here are 5 signs that signal your relationship is still worth it…
“A relationship is work, and it changes. And you go with the changes. It’s more good times than bad times, but it’s not always good. You have to overcome those issues and move on.” – David Burtka
1. YOU’RE STILL IN LOVE
Sometimes, love isn’t enough. But a lot of times, love is an important component for whether or not a relationship should either be ended, or worked on. Even if you’re having problems in your relationship, if you are still in love, it’s a sign that these things can be worked on, since you’re both going to be willing to do anything to keep each other in your lives.
2. YOUR COMPLAINTS TEND TO BE PETTY
Sometimes, there are things going wrong in the relationship that are either relatively easy fixes, or are just things neither partner can help – maybe your partner’s work schedule means you see them less. If your complaints about the relationship sum up to being non-issues, take some time to sit down with your partner and sort them out. You’ll be grateful that you didn’t let it dissolve altogether.
3. YOU HAVE YET TO TRY COUNSELING
Relationship counseling is a good way to have a safe space to air out what’s not working in your relationship, while also having an unbiased outside opinion. Counselors can often get to the bottom of what’s really bothering you, and help you and your partner work it out.
4. YOU HAVE CHILDREN
Staying together for children might not always be the best option for all couples. But often times, putting in the effort to fix the relationship for your children can lead to a strong, more secure marriage or partnership. Having children will give you the motivation you need to sort out the problems in your relationship, and fix them.
5. YOU BOTH WANT THE RELATIONSHIP TO WORK
Wanting to be together is just as important as loving one another. If you both want to work on the relationship, then you’re already headed in the right direction to make it work.
Before you take the leap and call it quits, take a step back and consider all the possible options that you have in front of you. There are tell-tale signs of when a relationship is well and truly over – just as there are signs that you’ve still got enough reason to turn it around. Be honest with yourself and how you’re feeling – be honest with your partner, as well. When you both open communication about your needs, you’ll be able to figure out what your relationship needs. Even if what it needs is to end.
Do you feel the end of your relationship approaching? Is there more tension between the two of you than joy and happiness? Are you no longer feeling as secure as you once did? When relationships start to falter, we are often able to feel the love fading.
Here are 5 signs that show it may be time to think about moving on…
1. YOU’VE LOST INTEREST IN ONE ANOTHER
Your partner should never be a source of annoyance or inconvenience. You got together with them in the first place for a reason, after all. When your conversations start to lag, and you would rather be talking with anyone else than your significant other, it’s time to admit to yourself that the relationship is stagnant. If you’re no longer engaged and present when having a conversation, it’s a sign that a breakup is imminent. After all, there’s no point in staying together if you no longer communicate with one another.
2. YOU’RE BOTH IRRITATED WITH ONE ANOTHER
Sometimes, we can’t always be happy with our partners. They may do things every once in a while that upset us, or that we find careless. A healthy partnership will be able to sort these differences out and work past them. On the other hand, if you find that you and your significant other are constantly at each other’s throats, your relationship is definitely on the rocks. Being always moody and upset with your partner isn’t good for either of you, and will only cause more stress and upset in the end.
3. THERE’S NO COMPROMISE
Building lasting relationships is often about compromise. Couples who want to work through their issues together will always meet in the middle – even if that means there’s some give and take on either end. If you and your partner are unable to ever come to an agreement on anything, you might want to consider that the relationship has run its course. If you no longer find yourself willing to bend and concede in arguments or in things your partner wants, then the relationship is no longer working.
4. YOU DON’T WANT TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER
What is a relationship if you’re no longer enjoying being around one another? If you have lost interest in hanging out with your partner, then it might be time to bring the relationship to an end. You’ll both feel better and might even repair your friendship when you’re no longer feeling forced or obligated to be around one another in the confines of a romantic relationship.
Those are signs that it’s time to go. But what are the signs for when you should tough it out? All relationships have their ups and downs, and it doesn’t always mean that a relationship should be ended. There are also signs that your relationship is worth salvaging.
5. YOUR LIBIDO HAS LEFT THE BUILDING
Being together intimately with your significant other is an important part of staying connected. Sometimes, relationships just go through a dry spell in this regard. One or both partners may go through certain periods of low libidos, and that’s fine. But if you feel like you’re no longer interested in sex with your significant other, this is a sign that your relationship may be well and truly ready to be over.
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