Out of context, it seems ridiculous to think you would be with someone who doesn’t feel as strongly about you as you do about them. But life and love are complicated, and sometimes it can happen. Things may start out fine between you, but eventually, you may start feeling like you are giving more to the relationship than your partner is. You find yourself questioning, “Do I love him more than he loves me?” And that’s an awful feeling to have to live with.

Relationship expert and author Alexis Nicole White says that when you’ve been let down by love repeatedly, over time you may just start seeking out someone who you can maintain a long-term relationship with, saying, “[They’re] more likely to accept the lack of reciprocity for the sake of saying [they have] someone. Regretfully, [they] inevitably end up settling.” The same can happen if you recently got out of a long-term relationship and are in a vulnerable headspace. It’s easy to get excited about the potential of someone, even if they aren’t living up to those expectations in a real way.

Dr. Lesliebeth Wish, a licensed clinical psychotherapist and founder of LoveVictory.com, has a slightly more hopeful way of thinking about the situation, in that what may feel like a situation where one partner loves more than the other may actually just be a difference in how each partner expresses their feelings. “For example, one person might buy gifts, while another person might take care of finances, the household, and other responsibilities,” Wish tells Elite Daily. So, consider if this is a possibility before you jump to the conclusion that there is a disparity in attachment. “Don't hamper your relationship by getting trapped in the belief that one partner always loves more than the other," she says. “This belief can breed resentment."

While some couples may be able to chalk it up to speaking in different love languages (and hopefully try to bridge that gap), the reality is that for some couples, it could just be an imbalance of love. How do you tell the difference? A healthy relationship should be rooted in mutual respect, honesty, and intimacy. If you feel like you’re the only one being vulnerable, or the only partner going out of their way to make the other happy, that’s not an equal balance. In those cases, the question becomes: Is this healthy for you? On this, both of the experts agree.

“No, it's not healthy or fair because the length of a relationship does not solidify the quality of the relationship," White tells Elite Daily. "People deserve to be in healthy relationships that can be fructified and productive; not mediocre and stagnant." Think about it: The longer you’re with a person who isn’t treating you like you deserve, the further you are from finding that person who will (and trust me, they’re out there).

For Dr. Wish, it simply comes down to the fact that you deserve more in a relationship and you owe it to yourself not to settle for less. “It is not a good decision to settle for 'emotional crumbs,'" she says. "Unfortunately, many partners do [so] out of fear of being alone or dealing with changes in finances, parenting, homes, and other major changes. But crumbs can never bake the cake of love.”

So, now what? Is the relationship automatically a lost cause? Is there nothing left to do but to just pack your things and leave? Well, not necessarily. Dr. Wish says if this is a relationship you really want to work, and your partner is willing to do the work with you, there is also the option of counseling. In fact, she recommends you give that a shot before grabbing your luggage and calling the movers. Unless, of course, you’re being treated in a manipulative or controlling way, in which case you have every right to get out of there fast.

“Before you decide to leave, get counseling to see if your view of the relationship is accurate or healthy," says Dr. Wish. "Learn ways to express your feelings of not being loved, and develop a different understanding of how you and your partner show love.” She also adds, “Counseling can help undo and redo these communication styles so that both partners feel loved. Remember, you can always leave — but don't leave home without understanding and counseling.”

However, if your partner isn’t willing to invest in the relationship and do the work, well, White says it's officially time to cut the cord on this relationship. “It is never okay to just accept the bare minimum from someone; it's called settling,” she explains. While that may sound brutal in the moment, the truth is you need to be free in order to find a better and more fulfilling love. “Stand your ground and clear space for the real thing,” says White.