15 Clear Signs It’s Time to End Your Relationship With Someone

The path to a satisfying, lasting relationship is almost always littered with a few failed attempts. That’s what dating is all about—discovering whether two people have the qualities and compatibility to sustain a relationship in the long run.

Sometimes you know for sure when it’s time to break up. But other times you’re not so sure. Should you hold on and give it a chance? Or should you move on so you don’t waste valuable time and energy?

Here are 15 clear signs it’s time to end a relationship:

1. Questions keep popping up in your head

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It’s natural and healthy to evaluate a relationship at key moments, but don’t ignore those nagging fears that are trying to tell you something.

2. You lost that feeling of love too soon

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If you don’t feel any lasting sparks or fireworks between you while dating, it’s a sure sign that there’s simply no chemistry between you.

3. Closest people express concern

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If multiple people are raising alarm about your relationship, it would be wise to take it seriously.

4. Distrust crept in

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Trust is the glue that holds couples together. If you have a legitimate reason to doubt your partner’s trustworthiness, you can be sure that more trouble is coming.

5. You wonder about your partner’s emotional state

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If your partner is very self-centered, paranoid, overly defensive, easily angered, or has any other characteristics that indicate emotional health issues, it may be best to let go.

6. You realized that you both have missions in life that do not overlap

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Sometimes two good people simply have goals and ambitions that don’t complement each other.

7. You both differ on important issues in life.

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If you have significantly different views on social issues, religion, politics, parenting, the environment, and financial management, it may be best to find a partner whose beliefs are closer to yours.

It’s important to have people in your life who have different views, but not when it comes to morality or what you want your future to look like. Studies show that this doesn’t bode well for relationships.

8. Your partner is clinging too tightly to the past

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Notice if the other person often talks about their ex, relives the glory days of past accomplishments, or is held back by old friends. Thriving relationships live in the present and plan for the future.

9. Your communication is strained or superficial

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If you and your partner find it difficult to communicate openly and honestly, your relationship will certainly suffer.

10. You can’t resolve conflicts

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In lasting relationships, two people learn to carefully and effectively manage their conflicts so that harmony prevails most of the time. Relationships fall apart when conflicts are not resolved.

It may seem counterintuitive, but conflict is healthy in a relationship if it can be resolved. Research from the National Library of Medicine tells us that it can strengthen relationships and lets couples know that their relationship needs to change.

11. Your interests are not related

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If you have five or six main interests, it’s a good idea to find someone who shares two or three of them. The more hobbies and activities you both enjoy, the stronger your relationship will be.

12. You don’t feel comfortable being yourself.

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No relationship will reach its potential if both partners are not authentic. You will feel stifled and overwhelmed if you are unable to consistently express your true self.

13. The irritations have accumulated

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The way people live their day-to-day lives (punctuality, neatness, personal habits) may not be a problem or may be a big problem. If it’s the latter, don’t ignore the irritation.

14. You don’t feel 100% supported

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If you notice that the person you are with does not respect your ambitions and consistently follows a “me first” approach to life, you are probably dealing with someone who is more selfish than selfless.

15. You notice wandering eyes

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It’s natural to admire attractive people, but if you or your partner often “looks” at others, it may be because you feel like something important is missing from your current relationship. Do any of these reasons resonate with you? What were the biggest reasons for your breakups?

eHarmony is an online dating site that aims to help people find true love that can lead to a lasting relationship.