Telltale signs that tell you it is time to break up (for your own good)! (2 of 4)

You have feelings of being trapped in an unsatisfying relationship

End it if:

You and your partner have tried all the ‘fun’ activities (both outdoors and indoors!) possible together. You have tried adrenaline-pumping activities from adventure sports and camping to sweet romantic weekend getaways, but nothing stops your thoughts from wandering away from them – even when you are with them.

This wandering becomes an issue if you find yourself imagining how life without them would be better or if you feel distant from him or her even when you are together. If you feel like not being in any relationship will enhance your satisfaction, then yes go for it!

Work on it if:

If you are just tired of the lazy routine where you and your partner are spending more time binge-watching stuff than doing anything else, that just means you are bored – not bored of your partner, but just bored of the monotony of it. We all have binged tons of Netflix and we all became master chefs in the lockdown, but now, maybe these things are no longer satisfying because we are all just so used to them!

Not all couples go out every day, but that’s why it is important that you schedule activities to do together. The way out of this slump is easy – just bring back the spark with exciting dates and hobbies and allow the two of you a chance at rekindling the romance. Just a casual romantic stroll in the park or dressing up for a date might do the trick!

You perceive that both of you have different expectations from the relationship

End it if:

If one partner is more invested in the relationship. It is natural for your emotions towards each other to wax and fade over time. But it is not okay if one of you is super enthusiastic about being in the relationship, while the other person is casual towards it. If someone is not interested in a relationship, there is no way of making them be serious about you. It is just that they are not the one, or the time is not right.

Work on it if:

You both haven’t talked openly about what page you both are on. You both need to be aware of the expectations and hopes each partner carries from the relationship. The thought of having ‘the talk’ may make you shudder, but trust us – once you have that conversation, you will feel better and realize whether you two can work on it or not.

You feel like they’re clinging on to you

End it if:

Your partner wants you to spend all your time with them and actively stops you from meeting friends and family. Beware of ‘love bombing’– a practice of showering someone with excessive affection in order to be able to influence and control their behaviors. While their attention may be pleasing, but their motive is mostly always manipulation. No matter how much they claim to love you, no one is allowed to control what you do and when you do it.

You are an adult who is capable of managing their own schedule and no one has the right to influence your decisions. Watch out for a partner who tries to micromanage your routine – they may start with an innocent-seeming remark about rescheduling a family dinner to nurse them when they are sick, but if the demands burgeon and interfere with your normal life, you need to speak out.

Work on it if:

You have some external stressors like job stress or family that is making you jump at the sight of any new call or message. If you feel anxious about seeing your phone, it is just stress and not your partner that is causing the jumpy feeling. We all have those moments where we wish the email notifications on our phone would stop chiming. And then you get those texts from your partner asking where you are and it all just gets too much!

Well, the easiest fix is communicating with your partner about how your week is jam-packed and that you may not be available for some time. They should be able to understand this and give you your space and they might just help you check off a few items on your to-do list!