Signs Your Relationship Is In Trouble

Source: isitsharp / Getty

Relationships are one of the hardest things in the world to maintain, but being able to spot the warning signs of trouble can prevent a relationship rut from turning into a full-blown breakup.

If you’ve been experiencing issues in your relationship, but aren’t sure if it means there’s trouble in paradise or basic relationship growing pains, check out our list of ways to find out. Some of these issues are more serious than others, but they all should be addressed and rectified if you want your relationship to last.

Source: Leland Bobbe / Getty

You Socialize Apart Instead Of Together

It’s perfectly fine to have separate interests and hobbies when you’re in a relationship, in fact it’s healthy. However, there’s a big difference between doing things apart and frequently socializing without each other.

The first thing you need to do is to find out why one or both of you enjoys spending your social time away from each other. Getting to the root of why being away from your partner regularly is something you enjoy, is crucial to the relationship’s staying power.

Source: Image Source / Getty

Arguments Are Frequent And Escalate Quickly

No one wants or needs to be in a relationship where arguing is a daily occurrence. If you argue about big things, small things and everything in between, there is definitely an underlying reason why.

Additionally, if your arguments escalate quickly and go to a dark place where extremely hurtful things are said and lines are crossed, it’s a huge red flag that maybe the relationship isn’t worth saving.

Source: John Slater / Getty

Growing Resentment Is Present

Resentment is a silent killer in relationships because it slowly festers until it becomes a third party in your union. Instead of openly discussing your issues as they arise, you’ve allowed this resentment to be present inside of you, and thus killing your relationship.

You and your partner need to sit down and have an open and honest discussion, regardless of how uncomfortable it may be, and address everything that is the cause of resentment in your relationship. If done effectively, this tactic could bring your relationship back from the brink.

Source: Gregory E Betz / Getty

There’s Always Constant Criticism

If you have an overly opinionated partner you’re probably used to them critiquing you on a regular basis, but critiques and constant, belittling criticism are two very different things.

A relationship where criticism is a constant factor is not only unhealthy, but over time it can literally tear down your self-esteem because you begin to internalize what you are being critiqued about. Speak up, and let your partner know the criticism needs to stop once and for all.

Source: Colorblind / Getty

Communication Is Practically Nonexistent

If you want to kill a relationship fast, don’t communicate. Communication is extremely crucial to a relationship’s success because it can get you through those tough times and clear up any confusion about present issues.

If one or both of you is bad at communicating, then you should seek an outside source that can help facilitate a healthy, open dialogue between you and your partner. A relationship can never be fixed if you don’t talk about what’s wrong.

Source: Tara Moore / Getty

Financial Issues Are Piling Up

Money is something that can quickly cause a lot of strain on a relationship. If you and your partner are in the midst of considerable financial issues, you need to come up with a plan to fix things before it destroys your relationship.

The most efficient way to do this is to sit down with all of your bills/debts and come up with an effective plan to to get your finances back on track together. Also, it may be tempting to play the blame game here, but don’t do it, as it will only make things worse.

Source: moodboard / Getty

Past Relationship Baggage Is Causing Problems

When you don’t totally heal or let go of past relationship baggage, it can easily find its way into your current relationship.

Whether you were cheated on, were the victim of some form of abuse, betrayed or lied to, all of these issues can wreak havoc on your relationship. You’re not giving your relationship the chance it deserves because you are carrying over past hurts instead of starting with a clean slate. Speaking with a professional can help you finally put your past behind you.

Source: Jose Luis Pelaez / Getty

You’ve Isolated Yourself From Those You Love & What You Love

New relationships can cause us to retreat and totally isolate ourselves from others and the outside world because we are so in love.

However, if you’re isolating yourself because there is so much drama going on in your relationship, then you need to correct the behavior. If your family and friends are constantly commenting about your absence or you can’t remember the last time you engaged in your favorite hobby–then your troubled relationship is likely the cause.

Source: Gary John Norman / Getty

You Breakup To Makeup Without Addressing What’s Causing It

The cycle of breaking up and making up is something that many couples experience, but very few actually grow from it.

You can’t just continue to break up and then get back together without addressing what caused the breakup in the first place. Neglecting to address the root cause of your relationship issues only further ensures that it will get worse or end permanently.

Source: Andrea Morini / Getty

You May Love Them, But You Don’t “Like” Them

This is a hard pill to swallow, but it’s certainly possible. You can absolutely love someone, but not like them.

Although, these feelings are not how healthy relationships should function. You should both love and like your partner. So if you realize that you don’t, you may need to be honest with yourself and find out if this relationship is worth saving at all.