Feature Image by Crew

Whether it’s a fizzling romantic relationship or a toxic friendship, ending a relationship is never easy. So how do you know when it’s time to leave a relationship? No matter what stage in the relationship you’re in, these are a few red flags to watch out for.

You find yourself making excuses
One of the first signs is if you find yourself making excuses. That can mean a few things: excuses not to hang out with them, excuses why they’re acting a certain way, or even excuses why you’re acting a certain way. Whatever it may be, you shouldn’t have to justify anything for you and your partner.

You haven’t met any of their friends or family
If you haven’t met the people in your S.O.’s life after a few months, something might be going on. Maybe you’ve met one or two friends, but if it seems like they’re only bringing you around certain people and isn’t inviting you to group gatherings or avoiding dinner plans with family, it might be time to take a step back. This also goes the other way — if he doesn’t want to meet your friends, ask yourself why that might be.

You’re bored
Yes, this sounds shallow, but it’s true. If you find yourself having multiple lulls in a conversation (no, not the comfortable silences) or you’re doing the same things over and over again no matter how many times you’ve voiced your concerns, it’s a sign it might be time to end it.

You feel like you have to change
This one’s a major red flag. In the beginning, it might seem like you and your S.O. like every little thing about each other, but later in the relationship, that could change. If you, at any time, feel like you have to change something significant about yourself to make him or her happy, pause and reconsider. Again, the same goes for if you’re constantly thinking about what you’d like to change about your partner.

You don’t love them
This is a difficult one. It can be so hard to differentiate between loving someone and caring about them. Be honest with yourself and think about if you can imagine staying with this person for a long time. If you can’t imagine being with someone long-term, it’s not worth it to stay in it for longer than you should.

xx, The FabFitFun Team