LOVE, HEALTH & TRAVEL
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How to Know When It's Time to End a Relationship BY JANET HOWARD
S
taying in a toxic relationship will only hurt you. The impact may not be obvious at first, but the longer you stay, the more it will affect your personal growth. You deserve to be happy, and if a relationship stands in the way of that happiness, then it's time to move on and cut the cord. There's nothing quite as disheartening as staying with someone who no longer makes you happy or vice versa. It's painful to acknowledge that things are not working out for you two, but fortunately, there are ways to tell when a relationship is over so you can move on before things get worse. Below are some indicators that can help you decide if it's time to end things with your partner: The Excitement Is Gone Many of us have been guilty of staying in a bad relationship because we fear being alone or having our partner leave us. You desperately want to make it work, but it becomes a chore. A long-term relationship is a two-way street; you must constantly try to keep the romance alive.
However, it's time to end things if you feel completely indifferent about the relationship and have lost all interest. Many factors can contribute to a waning interest in your partner, such as having different values or not wanting the same things in life. However, if you're no longer excited about spending time with your partner and have lost the desire to be intimate with them, it's pretty safe to say that the relationship is over. Your Partner Puts You Down No one should make you feel bad about yourself. A toxic partner constantly puts you down and makes you feel like you're
not good enough. The partner may say things to harm your confidence and make you feel unattractive. It is time to leave if you are constantly defending yourself against your partner's insults and putdowns. You cannot build a healthy relationship with someone who does not appreciate your worth and does not understand the meaning of unconditional love. People who constantly bring you down are not worth your time. Look out for your mental health and end the relationship before it has the chance to get worse. You deserve a partner who uplifts you and makes you feel good about yourself.
You Don't Trust Your Partner Trust is an essential part of a healthy relationship. If you feel like your partner is constantly betraying your trust and breaking your heart, it may be time to end things. Even if you have only been dating for a short time, if you no longer trust your partner, the relationship is doomed to fail. It's normal to have a difficult time trusting someone new, but if you constantly feel like your partner is keeping secrets or withholding information, it might be time to end the relationship. If your significant other has done nothing wrong but you still feel like something is off, it could be that you're being overly cautious and need to work on letting go. Remember that you cannot control someone else's actions. You can't force someone to be faithful or honest if they are not ready. End the relationship before it gets too deep and you lose your self-respect. Your Relationship Is Unhealthy and Toxic The signs of a toxic relationship are often apparent right away, but many people continued on page 20
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