Anyone who's ever thought a partner might want out of their relationship might be able to tell you that this can be one of the worst feelings ever. Unfortunately, so many people don't see the writing on the wall until their partner initiates a breakup conversation, which can be utterly devastating. No matter how painful it is to confront relationship issues, being blindsided by a breakup is so much worse. The things you'll notice if your partner is considering breaking up with you might not be as obvious as you'd expect, but letting them slide could lead to more pain later.
Sadly, sometimes people stay in relationships they just aren't happy in for far longer than they should. This means that when they finally muster the strength to tell their partner they're unhappy, they've likely been considering ending things for longer than their SO might've realized. The good news is that if you suspect your partner might want out, there might still be time to address any underlying issues. At the very least, talking through things might be able to provide a bit more clarity than a sneak attack. Here are some signs that your relationship could be headed toward splitsville, and that it might be time for you and your partner to have a talk.
According to relationship expert and love coach Susan Winter, if your partner is considering moving on, they may be wary of nailing down events that are in the future.
"You'll notice your partner no longer wants to talk about that trip you were intending to take," Winter previously told Elite Daily. "Plans for the holidays, theatre tickets, and special events are left unresolved and unanswered."
"Every relationship has conflict, and handled properly, can be healthy for a relationship," relationship expert and author of First Comes Us: The Busy Couple's Guide to Lasting Love, Anita A. Chlipala previously told Elite Daily. "If your partner has stopped engaging like they used to, it might be a sign that they know there's no point because the relationship will end."
So, if you notice that your SO seems unwilling to hash out conflicts they were once passionate about, this could spell trouble. It might be a good idea to start a dialogue about the changes you've noticed.
It's totally normal for someone's schedule to ebb and flow, meaning they don't always have the same amount of availability all the time. However, if there's been a notable drop in the amount of time they're spending with you, it could be that something's up.
“If they have been very withdrawn and not spending time with you it is a sign, because when people are invested in the relationship, they want to spend as much time as possible with their partner,” breakup coach Trina Leckie previously told Elite Daily.
According to Leckie, if your partner is quick to lash out at you, this may be another red flag that they want out.
“[They] may become very short with you, seem irritated, or snap at you,” Leckie explained. “They are acting out and not treating you with kindness or respect."
We all get irritable sometimes, but if you get the sense that your partner no longer enjoys being around you, then this could warrant digging a little deeper. Talking about our worries with our SOs isn't always easy, but if you want to keep your relationship strong, open communication is important. If you notice the behavior(s) above in your partner, try not to panic or let your anger get the best of you. Instead, it might be helpful to bring it up to your partner when you both have plenty of time to talk about it.
