This Innocent-Sounding Phrase Could Be A ‘Warning’ Sign That A Breakup Is Imminent

Frustrated couple, ignore and bed with disagreement for fight, dispute or conflict at home. Upset man, woman or quarrel with toxic relationship for cheating affair, divorce or breakup in bedroom — Source: Jacob Wackerhausen

A bad breakup can easily take us by surprise, but dating coach Louanne Ward believes there’s a key phrase to watch for from your partner, one that could serve as a “warning” sign that your relationship is coming to an end.

During an interview with the New York Post published March 7, Ward shared that hearing your partner say “I don’t want to hurt you” could signal that the love they once had for you has faded. According to the romance expert, who runs Louanne Ward Matchmaking in Subiaco, Australia, this phrase often indicates that your partner may feel you have stronger feelings for them than they do for you. This belief makes it easier for them to end the relationship, leaving you heartbroken.

“It means they’re not fully invested, they know you care more than they do and they’re laying the groundwork to excuse their future bad behavior,” Ward revealed.

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This key phrase isn’t to protect your feelings, says Ward.

While it may sound like they care about your feelings, the glaring phrase isn’t to protect your emotions. Ward believes that people often say it as a way to mask their own “guilt” about wanting to break up.

“If someone warns you, listen carefully and protect your heart,” the dating expert strongly advised. “The simple fact is, if somebody doesn’t see you as a potential long-term partner and doesn’t have strong enough feelings for you, they can see that they can potentially hurt you,” Ward added. “They don’t have to feel guilty about it because they warned you.”

Going through a breakup can be challenging, but love isn’t lost after one. Ward says that if your partner does end up saying, “I don’t want to hurt you,” start planning your exit strategy. Reevaluate your current relationship and reassess your expectations for future ones. If a breakup does happen, don’t let it keep you down. Take time to reflect on the relationship, but don’t dwell on it for too long. Ward advises that it’s important to move forward and seek the love you truly deserve.

Breakups can take a while to occur.

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Breakups can take a while to occur as people often stay in unfulfilling relationships for a long period of time. Per Stylist, a 2015 YouGov survey found that an alarming 6 in 10 people have stayed in relationships they didn’t find fulfilling.

Researchers at the University of Utah took a deeper look into why this unromantic trend often emerges in relationships. In a November 2018 study, they found that individuals who feel unfulfilled in their relationships may perceive breaking up as being “bad” for their partner.

Deciding whether to end a relationship can take time, as people typically weigh not just their own desires but also how much they believe their partner wants or needs the relationship to continue—especially when significant time and emotions have been invested. Additionally, studies suggest that some people may choose to stay in an unfulfilling relationship if the alternative, such as being alone or the prospect of finding another partner, seems less appealing.

“The more dependent people believed their partner was on the relationship, the less likely they were to initiate a breakup,” said Samantha Joel, a lead author behind the University of Utah study.

“When people perceived that the partner was highly committed to the relationship they were less likely to initiate a break up,” Joel said. “This is true even for people who weren’t really committed to the relationship themselves or who were personally unsatisfied with the relationship. Generally, we don’t want to hurt our partners and we care about what they want.”

According to Joel, the dissatisfied partner may be hoping the relationship will improve before they ultimately decide to end it.

This Phrase Could Be A ‘Warning’ That A Breakup Is Imminent