The lurking hypothetical planet
If you have identified the symptoms of being in an unhappy relationship, you can then comprehend the long-term negative effects and how that impacts each partner.
An unhappy relationship will begin to cause more frustration, exhaustion, irritability, and possibly depression.
Partners who find themselves feeling held back will naturally be frustrated. They may feel that they have to choose to stay in the relationship or move on to grow and achieve their goals beyond their partner.
The first thing to do is to identify all that’s not going well, and determine whether these are deal breakers.
As partners are not able to work though problems or address hurt feelings, the communication will be broken. And as there are significant difficulties in connecting, couples will begin to live parallel lives from each other.
Time apart can help provide distance and perspective to the relationship. It can allow you to grow and discover what you really want, and can help you choose for yourselves how you want your life to look like, instead of defaulting on your relationship out of convenience.
In an unhappy relationship, one partner (or both) can feel as if they’re managing the relationship on their own. The two become adversaries, and the other person will usually begin to withdraw their efforts into helping things get better.
When having these tough conversations, research suggests that showing gratitude in your relationship often helps both parties be more comfortable when speaking about relationship issues.
The relationship will feel like it’s weighing you down, which will fuel negative energy into how you approach work or other relationships.
In the end, you have to decide whether your relationship is worth saving. And if you feel like you need help, you can always seek support from loved ones or start going to a therapist.
Sources: (Verywell Mind) (Oprah Daily)
Time to connect intimately, either physically or emotionally, is also reduced when partners are unhappy.
Partners who don’t share core values and beliefs will experience more tension later on in the relationship when they learn more about each other and how they operate in the world.
When loss of respect is shown towards each other, it’s a sign something is not right. This could be abusive language or acts, or engaging in activities that aren’t appropriate Overall, respect is essential for a happy and healthy relationship.
Try being more vulnerable instead of taking a defensive stance of critiquing and blaming your partner. Share the aspects of your relationship you would like to improve, and the ways in which you both contribute to do so.
There are several strategies available to move forward, if both are on board for improving the relationship.
Stonewalling is when one person shuts down, ignores, or stops responding to their partner. This can be an attempt to control the conversation because one partner is blocking further discussion by disengaging. This typically occurs when an individual is physiologically distressed and trying to shut down overwhelming emotions.
Reminiscing about the times the relationship was easier and stress-free, like before having kids or when you first started dating, can cause unhappiness. Instead of channeling energy into being present and fixing current issues, people hold on to these memories.
Partners who set out to change one another provide another significant factor. The other person will begin to feel as if they must justify their every decision and response to their partner.
It’s important to be solution-oriented, meaning that when problems arise, you must consider how to go through it as a team and not let the problems separate you both.
If you can only recount the negative aspects of your relationship, then the bad is outweighing the good. If you’re making an active effort to find the pluses of staying in the relationship, then it’s time to rethink continuing together.
It’s not easy to admit to yourself that you're not happy in the relationship with your partner. From growing emotional distance to constant fights, unhappiness can take many different forms. However, just because you’re feeling unhappy in your relationship doesn’t necessarily mean it's time to break up. In some cases, issues can be fixed with therapy or regular check-ins.
Click through the following gallery to find out how to identify the causes and consequences of an unhappy relationship, as well as what to do to improve it.
What to do if you're in an unhappy relationship
Find out the signs, and what you can do
LIFESTYLE Couples
It’s not easy to admit to yourself that you're not happy in the relationship with your partner. From growing emotional distance to constant fights, unhappiness can take many different forms. However, just because you’re feeling unhappy in your relationship doesn’t necessarily mean it's time to break up. In some cases, issues can be fixed with therapy or regular check-ins.
Click through the following gallery to find out how to identify the causes and consequences of an unhappy relationship, as well as what to do to improve it.