Whether it’s a long-term relationship or a short-term one, ending a relationship with someone you care about is never easy. But how do you know when a relationship has run its course? Maybe you’ve noticed changes in your boyfriend’s behavior or things just don’t feel the same. There’s never a perfect time to break up with someone but being aware of the signs that show your relationship is falling apart can help end things peacefully before they get worse. In this article, we look at 15 ways you should know when it’s time to break up with your boyfriend.
You’re Thinking About Other People
It’s perfectly natural to find yourself attracted to other people and glancing at strangers in the street. Being mildly flirtatious is a perfectly acceptable trait too. However, it’s not natural to be thinking of other people all of the time. There should be a limit to the intensity of your flirting. Fun and games can quickly get out of hand. If you find yourself constantly daydreaming about what your life would be like with a different boyfriend, or if your flirting is getting out of control, it could be a sign that it’s time to break up with your boyfriend.
Arguments Are Getting Worse
Every relationship has arguments. In fact, it would be unusual if you were in a relationship that never has any. But when arguments start to occur more regularly, it could be a worrying sign of things to come. If you find yourself locking horns with your boyfriend over the most menial of things, or if he turns every conversation that you have with him into a sour one, it’s time to think about ending the relationship.
He’s Getting Physically Abusive
There’s never an excuse for physical violence in a relationship. If your relationship with your boyfriend has reached a point where he’s acting aggressively and arguments are descending into actual physical violence, it’s time to end it immediately.
He’s Emotionally Manipulative
Is your boyfriend making you second guess yourself? Do you feel like he’s making you do things that you don’t want to do? Or is he putting words into your mouth? These are all signs of emotional manipulation. If your boyfriend is always the victim and somehow you’re always the one left feeling guilty, emotional manipulation could be at play. These kinds of relationships never last long.
You Don’t Trust Him Anymore
You can’t have a relationship without trust. Well, you can, just not a very good one. Unfortunately, once your boyfriend has done something that’s broken your trust in him – whether that’s cheating with another girl behind your back or lying to you – it can be difficult to regain that trust. If you find yourself constantly wondering what your boyfriend is up to, who he’s with and if he’s lying to you, it’s time to break up with him.
He’s a Control Freak
There’s nothing enjoyable about being in a relationship with someone that has to be in charge of every decision that’s made. Control freaks can easily sap the enjoyment out of hobbies and activities. If he always has to decide which places you go to for fun, what things you want to watch on television, who you hang out with and has the last call on important things like who visits the house, you’re dating a control freak and it’s time to break up with him.
You’re Suddenly Talking to Your Ex Again
Uh-oh. The ex-boyfriend is back on the scene. Of course, it’s not completely alien for previous relationships to end amicably, meaning in some cases, you’re capable of maintaining perfectly normal friendships with ex-boyfriends. What’s problematic is when you find yourself suddenly thinking about ex-boyfriends and longing for contact with them. If you’ve started thinking about an ex-boyfriend or if you find yourself immersed in long messaging chains with them, it’s a sign that things probably aren’t going too well with your current one.
He’s Disrespectful
Is he treating you the same way he’d expect to be treated? Maybe he’s being disrespectful towards your favorite hobbies. If you love reading, he might tell you that books are stupid. Or if you love psychic TV shows, he might tell you that psychics aren’t real. If you find your boyfriend disrespecting you, your friends, your family or even complete strangers, it’s time to ask what you’re doing wasting your time with him.
You’re No Longer Attracted To Him
Have you found yourself spending less time in the bedroom with your boyfriend? Maybe the very thought of getting intimate with your boyfriend is enough to turn you off? If you’ve noticed that things are dwindling and the passion that you once had for your boyfriend has now disappeared, it’s likely that things aren’t going to get much better. Losing physical or mental attraction to your boyfriend could happen for a number of different reasons, but when it does happen, work to address it (if the relationship is worth saving) or consider ending it.
Conversations Are More Difficult
When you’re spending hours of time together each day, or living under the same roof together, it’s only natural that conversation might dry up from time-to-time. It becomes a problem, though, when you can no longer connect with each other and talk about the things that you enjoy. If you’re finding it difficult to start a conversation with your partner or keep his attention, it’s a sign that things aren’t right. Similarly, if you’re bored or thinking about something else every time your boyfriend opens his mouth, it could be a sign that you need to break up.
You’re Growing Apart
As we progress through life, we find ourselves facing new challenges, exploring new opportunities and developing as human beings. Sometimes life can pull us in different directions. That could be a new job opportunity, a new hobby, or finding enjoyment in entirely new things. Unfortunately, as our personalities and characters grow as the result of changes in our external surroundings, relationships can drift apart. You don’t need to like every single aspect of your boyfriend, but if you’re discovering things about him that seem completely different, or if he’s becoming more of a stranger every day, you should ask if it’s time to go your separate ways.
Irresponsible Behaviour
Your boyfriend should be there to treat you well and take good care of you. If your boyfriend’s behavior is getting him or you in trouble, it’s time for him to grow up. Or it might be time for you to leave him. Don’t let your boyfriend’s negative behaviors affect your own wellbeing, whether he’s partying excessively, drinking too much or generally being reckless.
He Doesn’t Support You
Whatever you choose to do in your life, your boyfriend should be there to support your choices (as long as they’re reasonable!). Maybe you’ve decided to use your gifts and become a tarot reader because you love the physic world so much, or maybe you’re finally going to make a start on that novel you always dreamed of writing because you love reading so much. Whatever decisions you make in life, whether it’s a new job or lifestyle change, your boyfriend should be there to support you. If he isn’t, it’s time to reconsider your commitment to him.
He’s Lying More
We’re all guilty of telling the odd white lie. If you’ve ever twisted the truth slightly to make someone happy, there’s nothing wrong with that. But there is something wrong with consistently lying to your partner. If you feel like your boyfriend is constantly lying to you every time you ask him a question, how can you trust him? A relationship without trust isn’t a great relationship at all.
Things Just Don’t Feel the Same
That sensation of butterflies fluttering around in your tummy won’t last forever, but if your relationship is losing all signs of excitement, it’s a sure sign that things aren’t going well. Maybe you’ve been feeling differently about things or maybe the two of you are just no longer compatible. If you’re having thoughts like these, it’s time to break up with your boyfriend.
Breaking up with someone is hard to do, but if you have a gut feeling deep inside that things just aren’t going to work out, it’s time to end it. A lot of you might recognize a couple of things on this list that sound relatable to your own relationship right now, but if you’re reading through the entire list and putting a tick next to each reason, ask yourself if you’re truly happy with your partner.
