They don’t want to meet your friends
Your friends are a part of your life and something that makes you happy, so your partner should want to see them. Your partner may be shy and find it hard to socialise with people they don’t know – but you can always make an effort and try. If your partner is reluctant to meet your friends, think about what the reason might be. Talk to your partner about it. If they say they just want to hang out with you, it could be a sign that they’re trying to isolate you from the people you love.
Your family and friends don’t like your partner
A big sign that your partner isn’t right for you, and may even be treating you badly, is if your friends and family don’t like them. You may think they don’t know your partner the way you do – but they do know you and may have an easier time picking up bad vibes because they don’t have the same feelings for your partner that you do. It’s always important to listen to your friends and family if they are concerned about you and have opinions about your partner. Then, ultimately, it’s your decision whether you want to continue the relationship.
Your partner shuts down when it’s time for a discussion
Communication is key in a relationship, so if you can’t communicate, discuss and argue with your partner it’s a bad sign. Your partner may feel that they can’t discuss their feelings openly, or that they don’t know how to resolve a conflict in a healthy way. Think about why your partner won’t or can’t communicate openly with you, and try to do something about it.
Your partner says or does things that make you feel like a child
In a relationship, both partners are equal – neither is above the other in any way. If your partner says or does things that make you feel like a child, it means they don’t see you as an equal. But at the same time, it’s very natural for some people to be nurturing and caring, so they may not even realise their behaviour themselves. Try to read the situation, if they don’t see you as an equal or if they just want to take care of you, and take it from there.
Your partner is “allowed” to do things that you are not allowed to do
If you’re in a relationship where your partner cares very much about your actions and what you do, but doesn’t care about what they do in the same way, this could be a sign of an unhealthy relationship. When you are in a relationship, both partners have the same “rules”. If you notice that your partner criticises you for something but then does exactly the same thing themselves, take it up with them. Question why they are doing it. If they are reluctant to change, can’t understand what you mean or get defensive about their attitude, it could mean your partner is controlling.
They say nasty things to you because they “love you”
People should always be honest with each other in a relationship, but that honesty should never be mean or cross the line. Ambiguous compliments, jokes at your expense or rude comments are not okay. If you bring up that certain comments hurt you but your partner keeps saying it anyway with the excuse that they “love you anyway,” that’s not really love. When someone really loves you, they listen to what you say, apologise and respect your wishes.
Your partner does things that make you question their feelings for you
For example, if your partner threatens to break up with you when they have the slightest doubt about your relationship or if you fight, this is extremely hard on your mental health. Of course feelings can waver, but you shouldn’t have to worry about your partner threatening to break up with you every time you disagree about something. If your partner behaves this way, you need to talk about it, and you need to make it clear that it’s not okay.
