Signs That It’s Time To Let Go of a Relationship

Troubled Couple - Couple Sitting on the Sofa After a Fight

At DatingApps.com, there is something about watching new relationships grow and flourish that we absolutely love! That is probably not a huge revelation to you seeing as how we are in the business of helping our readers and customers find the tools and resources to grow and develop those relationships via dating apps.

Something we really hate to see is relationships that go south. The reality of this world is that not all relationships work out.

  • Some begin a relationship and they do not find out there are incompatible partners until it’s too late.
  • Some members grow apart from each other, or they develop in different directions.

We are going to share with you some of the top signs that it’s time to let go of a relationship. If any of these points resonate with you, you should probably consider closing this chapter of the book and move on with your life.

#1: You Have Sacrificed Who You Are

Ideally, your partner should be someone with whom you can be your true and authentic self. They appreciate you for who you are and what you believe in. If you feel compelled to act a certain way when you are around them and this goes against who you are or your personal convictions, then it might be a good sign to move on from the relationship. You should not have to sacrifice who you are because you are afraid of being judged or misunderstood by your partner.

#2: You Are Not Happy

If you always feel unhappy when you are with your partner, this might be a good sign to move on to the next chapter of your life. If the joy you used to experience with them has turned to resentment or frustration, you might want to do yourself a favor and cut your losses. It is important to work on the problems in any relationship but when drudgery and boredom set into the relationship it can often be extremely difficult to recapture that old happiness you once had.

#3: You Feel Lonely Most of the Time

Some partners can be sitting together in the same room, and they might as well be hundreds of miles apart. This can be the case if things are emotionally distant, or your partner is not fulfilling one of your needs and one of the biggest tell-tale signs that it might be time to move on from the relationship.

Young Woman Looking Sad

#4: You and Your Partner Are Always Fighting

If your relationship has devolved into one long shouting match, this is a clear sign that you are not understanding one another as well as you could. A lot of couples bicker back and forth and can become easily annoyed with one another, but if you and your partner are at a point where your fighting has gotten verbally or physically violent, there is a good chance that you two are not right for one another.

#5: A Lot of the Relationship Is Rooted in Fear

You can get to a point in a relationship where you hesitate any time you want to speak because you are afraid of your partner’s reaction. You feel you need to always tread lightly around them for fear of an extreme or aggressive reaction. This is no way to live! If you feel that your partner is not going to change their behavior any time soon, save yourself and your sanity and get out of that relationship!

#6: Your Partner Is Holding You Back

A partner’s insecurities or fears could potentially be holding you back from having friends, having time to yourself, or even pursuing professional advancement. You feel like your partner is a weight that is keeping you from your true potential or a roadblock creating an obstacle for your personal growth.

The problem could be that you are not communicating your feelings clearly or that you have not expressed to your partner that you feel held back. Or it could be that they know they are holding you back, but it is simply a codependent relationship.

#7: You Have Grown in Different Directions

A lot of times couples begin their relationship at a certain stage in their personal or professional development where they are compatible. But over time they could possibly grow in two different directions. This can wreak havoc on a relationship and if you find yourself growing in one direction and your partner in the opposite, you two simply might not be right for each other anymore.

#8: You Have a Lot of Resentment or Frustration Toward Your Partner

Even the most well-meaning of partners can do things that cause their other half to become frustrated with them. Oftentimes, there can be a need that is not being fulfilled. Or someone in the relationship is caught up in a bad pattern or behavior and either refuse to change or does not know how to change. This is where resentment can set in. If your partner is a constant source of bitterness and anger, you might want to move on to a healthy relationship.

Man Looks Frustrated With His Partner

#9: You Feel More Drained Than Energized

The partner you love should be one that lifts you up, encourages you, and makes you feel secure. You will enjoy being around them if the relationship is healthy and functioning properly. If you feel constantly drained being around your partner or feel like its grueling work to maintain your relationship with them, you are definitely not with the right person.

#10: You Feel Suffocated

You might be in a relationship where you feel a lot of pressure whenever you are around your partner. You never really feel at ease when you are with them and when they exit the room all you can feel is a relief. This could be a sign that you are feeling extremely burdened or suffocated by your partner. You are probably not an ideal match.

#11: You Keep Hoping That the Other Person Will Change

You stay with your partner hoping that one day they will change, but you never see them make any progress and there are no tangible results to suggest they want to change. The harsh reality is that some people never do change, and you could waste away your life telling yourself that they will. If you keep hoping for change but there is no light at the end of the tunnel, your current partner might just be a lost cause (as far as you are concerned).

#12: Your Partner Is Abusive

It is always best to just leave a relationship where you be physically, emotionally, or verbally abused. Abuse of any kind shows that you are not cherished, respected, or appreciated. You are simply an object that your partner wants to control, manipulate, or take their frustrations out on. Do not waste your time in abusive relationships. You are fooling yourself if you think your abusive partner truly loves you.

#13: Your Relationship Is One-sided

You feel like you’re putting your best foot forward trying to work on the relationship, but it seems that your partner is doing their own thing and going on as they please. There are a lot of relationships like this where things are one-sided. One partner is giving of their time and of themselves and the other partner takes advantage of the situation.

If you are the only one who is making the effort to work on things, you should put some effort into moving away from that relationship and into one where the relationship is like a two-way street.

#14: You Do Not Look Forward To Seeing Your Partner

If you are at a point in the relationship where you do not ever look forward to seeing your partner, there is probably a lot of past hurt or resentment there. Or you could simply have fallen out of love with them. No matter what the case may be, this situation is something that cannot be overcome overnight. There is likely a hard road ahead for you to make the relationship work out, but it could be a sign that you are no longer compatible and it’s time to move on with life.

#15: You Stay in the Relationship Because You Fear the Unknown

If you are only in the relationship because you are afraid of being alone or not being able to find someone else, that is a horrible reason to stay with someone. That is the sign of a deep-seated problem within yourself that you need to deal with. And if your partner is simply some sort of prop that you are using to hold back your fears and insecurities, your best course of action might be to get out of the relationship and seek some counsel or professional help.

Matt Marino
Matt Marino

Matt Marino is an online content writer for DatingApps.com, specializing in trending blogs and dating app reviews. He is a graduate of Geneva College with a Bachelor of the Arts in Communications.