When Is It Time To Walk Away From Love?
Love can be a hard thing to recognize. But it can be an even harder thing to know when it's time to walk away from romantic love. You may have waited years to find someone who you truly felt like you loved. Now, you may feel lost and you could be wondering if it's really the right relationship for you. Maybe you aren't sure if it's time to put an end to it, or if you're supposed to push through.
Leaving Someone You Love: How To Know If It's Right
If you're wondering if your relationship should be over just because that initial excitement that you had at the start of your relationship has ended, you may not want to rush into any decisions. Sometimes, you may need to walk away, but other times, it could just be a rough patch. Beyond the advice in this article, online therapy can provide you with an outlet to discuss what you're facing.
When To Stick With It
There are different stages of love that your relationship may move through. You may not be able to hold onto that feeling of too much love, pure joy, and excitement that you experienced in the beginning forever, but it is important to build a strong foundation so your connection lasts. When you first fall in love with someone, you may overlook imperfections and things about them that would normally drive you crazy. Indeed, love is crazy and it will make you love versions of people in your head. However, as time goes on and you pay more attention, those things start to stand out to you. You start to think, "How did I not notice this before?" This is something that many long-term relationships go through. It may not mean you need to give up on your partner.
Moreover, it may not be necessary to walk away from romantic love just because you're starting to disagree more and have different opinions. Relationships are made up of two unique individuals, and it's not typical for a couple to agree on everything. When this happens, it's usually because one person is constantly giving in to the other, which could be an unhealthy pattern. Thus, disagreement is not necessarily a red flag. Sometimes, it can be good if you know how to work past it in your relationship.
No relationship is going to make it through years and years of never having arguments and disagreements. It's normal for relationships to have ups and downs. Those with healthy relationships are often able to weather difficult times by making compromises and prioritizing respect.
When You're Feeling As Though You’ve Lost Who You Are
How to know when love is gone? If you wake up one morning and realize that you don't even know who you are because you've changed so much to keep the relationship alive, it may be a sign that you should walk away. Real love does not require another person to fundamentally change.
If you have changed so much about yourself that you don't recognize yourself or have forgotten about your core values, you may need to end the relationship to find yourself again. With therapy and counseling, including services offered through BetterHelp, a relationship can last if the appropriate changes are made. Still, both people in the relationship need to be willing to make it work.
You Aren't Feeling Respected
Respect is an important thing in a healthy relationship. If your significant other doesn't respect you, then it's not a healthy relationship to stay in. A lack of respect can easily permeate the rest of the relationship. For example, your partner may begin to cross boundaries that you have established or engage in dominating behavior. When respect is lost, it may not be something you can ignore.
When There Is Abuse
If you are experiencing any abuse in a relationship, it's a clear sign that you need to walk away. An abusive relationship is not one that is built on true romantic love. Some people mistakenly believe that the only kind of abuse that warrants separating is physical abuse. Emotional abuse and verbal abuse – which can happen even in a long-distance relationship – are not acceptable in a relationship either.
Sexual abuse is sometimes present in relationships as well. Just because you are dating or even married, it doesn’t mean your partner has the right to ignore your consent or lack of it.
If you find yourself in an abusive relationship, the first thing that you need to do is get yourself somewhere safe. It may also be important to seek counseling from someone who has experience helping people leave abusive relationships. Even though it may seem like it should be easy to do, it's often not. In many cases, the person who is being abused struggles with low self-esteem and depression. This can make leaving the relationship on their own difficult, if not impossible.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) is a free resource that you can use at any time to receive the support you need.
When You’re Feeling Your Opinion Doesn’t Matter
When your opinion doesn’t seem to matter to your partner or they ignore comments that you make, it's often a sign that the person doesn't respect you. If your wishes are constantly ignored regarding places that you visit, plans you make, the hobbies or interests you take up together, or what you do with your time, it may not be a healthy relationship. Healthy relationships are built on give-and-take, and both people may need to make adjustments to support the other one. This doesn't mean you will have the same ideas on everything, but there is beauty in making compromises.
You're Feeling As Though You Can't Trust The Other Person
If you feel like you can't trust the other person in a relationship, making a relationship work in the long term can be very complicated. If you know that they're hiding things from you or if they have in the past, it may be time to walk away from the relationship.
If you have broken trust in your relationship but don't want to walk away, you may need to get counseling to learn how to rebuild trust with each other. This often involves the other person making the necessary changes to help you trust them again. If they are unwilling to do this, you're likely to continue to struggle in your relationship.
When You Are Putting In All The Effort
If you feel as though you are the only one working for the relationship, seeking physical intimacy, or making sacrifices for your partner, it could be time to reconsider the relationship. Everyone deserves to be in a happy, loving relationship, so if your partner takes you for granted or constantly demands your full attention while they are unwilling to do the same for you, this may be a sign to walk away.
When To Seek Help For Your Mental Health
If you know that it's time to walk away from a relationship, but you're struggling with following through on it, finding a therapist can help you work through your emotions and develop a plan. If you want to stay in a long-term relationship that you're struggling in, a therapist can help both of you learn important skills to improve your relationship.
Moreover, if you struggle with finding yourself again after getting out of a bad relationship, talking to a therapist can be a great way to work through the situations you've been through and rediscover who you are. Reaching out to find a therapist can be an important part of improving your self-esteem, growing your confidence, and moving forward in a healthy and positive way.
Online Therapy Is An Option
Often, romantic partners are hesitant to speak to people outside of the relationship about their problems. Whether it’s out of loyalty or embarrassment, opening up about matters of the heart can be challenging, especially in an in-person setting. This is where online therapy provides an alternative. You may find it easier to talk about these sensitive topics in an internet-based setting. Plus, online therapy can be made available from the comfort of your home.
Research has shown that online therapy for couples and individuals can be as effective as in-person counseling, whether it’s delivered via videoconferencing or asynchronous in-app messaging. This means you can reap the same benefits of traditional therapy while saving valuable time and energy.
Takeaway
Finding a therapist can teach you the communication skills you need for a healthy and happy relationship. It can also provide you with coping skills that you can use if you decide to end the relationship. Don’t stay in a toxic or abusive relationship—reach out for help from a qualified BetterHelp therapist today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Related To Walking Away from Someone You Love
- Should You Walk Away From Someone You Love? When Love Isn't Enough
Deciding to leave someone you love isn't always an easy one; after all, there is a good chance you still care about this individual and have had many memories with them.
If you are experiencing any of the concerns discussed throughout the article, it could indicate that you should leave your relationship.
However, many long-term relationship issues are fixable by improving communication between partners if you find a therapist or counselor who works with couples. They can help you resolve them by teaching you the skills you need to communicate more effectively with each other.
- Can Someone Leave You If They Love You? What happens when love isn't enough
One of the most common reasons people have trouble choosing to walk away from love is that they still have feelings for the other person. Still, ultimately, if they feel like it's the best thing they can do for themselves, they can go their own way, even if they still love that individual.
- Why Can't I Leave My Unhappy Relationship With Someone I May Not Love?
People who think about leaving a relationship that makes them unhappy often stay in them for longer than they should or even stay indefinitely.
Walking away from someone you love isn't always easy. Some common reasons why people might stay in a long-term relationship that isn't working for them include:
- They feel invested in it
- They depend on their partner financially
- Their self-esteem depends on their partner
- They are afraid of being alone
Others might be hesitant to leave because they believe that things will change for the better, waiting for it.
Unfortunately, change doesn't occur automatically over time, and it takes effort between both parties, and it typically requires assistance from a professional to make it possible.
- What To Say To Someone You Love, But You Can't Be With? The Pain of Not Being With the One You Love
Although they will probably not want to hear it and may react negatively to what you have to say, it's always best to be honest, and forthcoming if you have someone you love but have determined that you can't be together.
Even if they become upset with your words and the moment you leave them, always strive to be respectful and considerate of their emotions and communicate as effectively as you can.
Leaving most likely won't be easy for you, and for some, it can still feel like your world ended. If you're grieving or having other difficulties coping, it's important to understand that these are normal emotions, and there is no shame in reaching out to find a therapist who can assist you.
How Do You Know When It's Really Over? Feeling Confused About the Truth
Many factors can indicate that your relationship is on the verge of ending, but they aren't guaranteed since even some of the most severe issues can be addressed with help. You may have thought your relationship ended the moment a major fight or disagreement happened, but chances are, that's not the case.
Walking away isn't always the answer.
Even if you break up or enduring a divorce, it doesn't always mean that it's over, as there is sometimes the possibility of reconciliation.
Knowing when your relationship is over is a personal situation that is unique to you and your ex. Still, some of the signs are that you don't feel vulnerable, you can no longer see each other being intimate ever again, or you've started becoming interested in others or even started seeing someone new and started falling in love with someone else.
What Are The Signs of A Toxic Relationship? Should I Walk Way?
A relationship experiencing issues doesn't always mean that it's a toxic one, but being aware of the signs of dysfunction is still very important. It can include physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.
If you're experiencing abuse of any sort, The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) is available for free to provide guidance, resources, and safe support.
Toxic relationships will damage your self-esteem, and you might be exposed to manipulation tactics like guilt-tripping and gaslighting, where you will always seem to be wrong or at fault for something happening.
You might also notice that you get "one-upped" by your partner, have your thoughts and feelings marginalized, and feel that you can't or shouldn't communicate your needs to your partner in fear of being ridiculed and ignored.
Others might be insulted by their partner's words. For example, if someone's weight is made fun of, they can become extremely self-conscious, or worse, develop eating disorders.
The relationship can also seem one-sided, and that you put more effort into that your partner, who might not show any compassion and love. Relationships should always be a two-way street and a collaborative effort.
What Do You Do When You Can't Stop Thinking About Someone? The Truth About Post Breakups
Following a break-up, it's still very common and normal to have your ex on your mind because you've invested time and emotional energy into the relationship, regardless if it was a long or short-term one. You might also feel upset or angry at your ex, and that could be the reason you can't stop thinking about them.
On the other hand, if you're thinking about someone else other than your ex, you could be excited about potentially having someone new in your life that you can form a long-term relationship.
If you struggle with these feelings and emotions, you are encouraged to find a therapist who can help sort them out for you.
How Do You Recognize Your Soulmate? The Truth About True Love
You might have previously believed that the individual you loved before was your soulmate, and unfortunately, it didn't work, so that might leave you wondering how to recognize someone who truly could be. The only certain thing is that the moment you left the previous relationship was realizing that they were not the one for you.
Finding someone you connect with on a deeper level can seem challenging, especially following a separation, but some of the signs that you've found in someone involve things that make you happy and fulfilled.
Some examples include resolving conflict won't be a chore; you listen to each other's thoughts and concerns, understand their flaws without criticizing them, have the same relationship goals, and support each other's pursuits in life.
Further Reading On Love
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/how-to-love-and-find-love-that-is-healthy/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/is-love-enough-to-sustain-a-relationship/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/how-to-find-true-love-that-never-dies/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/how-to-last-through-the-5-stages-of-love/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/what-is-love-bombing-examples-and-dangers/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/love-is-action-why-you-cant-just-say-the-words/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/i-think-im-in-love-how-to-know-if-your-feelings-are-real/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/relations/love-vs-in-love-which-is-better/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/why-you-keep-falling-in-and-out-of-love/
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/what-are-the-different-types-of-love/
Therapy And Mental Health Is Personal
Therapy is a personal experience, and not everyone will go into it seeking the same things. But, keeping these things can ensure that you will get the most out of online therapy, regardless of what you have as your specific goals.
If you're still wondering if therapy is right for you and how much therapy costs, please get in touch with us at contact@betterhelp.com. BetterHelp specializes in online therapy to help address all types of mental health concerns. If you are interested in individual therapy, please reach out to contact@betterhelp.com and check out our Instagram. For more information about BetterHelp as a company, please find us on.
For more information on mental health, please see:
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) SAMHSA Facebook
- Mental Health America MHA Instagram, MHA Pinterest
- WebMD, WebMD FacebookWebMD Instagram, WebMD Pinterest
- NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), NIMH Instagram, NIMH Facebook
- APA (American Psychiatric Association) APA Instagram