The 10 Most Common Reasons Why Couples Break Up & 10 Ways To Overcome It
Are you facing relationship issues? When things finally come to a boil, there is usually one of two routes you can follow: either you break up or you look for ways to overcome it. But don't worry, relationships aren't always a breeze, in fact, many people are going through the same thing as you. For instance, there are 10 common reasons many couples choose to break up, but if you want to stay strong and work through it, we want to provide you with 10 ways you can overcome it too.
1. Communication Issues
We'll say it time and time again, but good communication is the foundation of any relationship. When that breaks, it's easy for any couple to quickly fall apart. After all, voicing one's needs, feelings, and concerns is the key step in avoiding misunderstandings and frustrations. Without it, resentment and unhappiness are quick to come to the surface.
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2. Infidelity
There's nothing like cheating in a relationship to immediately cause a breakup. Infidelity is one quick way to instantly destroy all the trust and commitment two partners have worked so hard to build up in their relationship. It doesn't matter if it's emotional or physical, this thoughtless act usually creates a rift that is hard to come back from.
3. Financial Struggles
Sure, money can't buy you happiness, but having money problems can definitely put a lot of stress on your relationship. Whether it's the burden of debt, differing financial goals, or arguing over spending habits, money can affect your relationship in more ways than one. Having a consistent struggle means constant pressure! And that's not something everyone can handle so well.
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4. Lack of Commitment
At the end of the day, the true test of any relationship is time. After being together for a certain period of time, are you still feeling fully committed to the relationship? Because if you're not, your relationship isn't going to last. Your partner can sense if you're slacking, and showcasing an unwillingness to plan for the future together is a clear sign you want things to end.
5. Constant Arguing
It's normal to fight in a relationship, but if it's happening repeatedly every day, there might be a bigger problem at hand. Frequent arguments, especially if they go unresolved, highlight deeper issues hidden beneath the surface of a relationship. Putting it simply, maybe the couple just isn't compatible.
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6. Growing Apart
Once again, time proves itself to be the biggest challenge to overcome. Because sometimes, couples simply grow apart the longer they're together. A lot can change in a couple of years, maybe even months! Whether it's a change in interests, life goals, or personal growth, no longer sharing the same vision for their lives and future can be a sign it's time to end things.
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7. Trust Issues
Without trust, how can a relationship even exist? It's impossible to feel fully comfortable and at ease with someone if you can't even trust them. Cheating isn't the only way to cause these problems though; bad behaviour like jealousy, secrecy, or broken promises can all contribute to trust issues, leading to the eventual breakup.
8. Different Life Goals
While you can make certain changes to better accommodate your partner, there are just some things that are too insurmountable to fix. Incompatibility when it comes to major life goals is a fundamental barrier. If one partner wants kids but the other doesn't, or if career goals pull them in opposite directions, these differences can be too big to overcome - no matter how hard you try.
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9. Lack of Physical or Emotional Intimacy
Believe it or not, intimacy issues are a common cause for breakups! Whether it's physical or emotional, not being intimate with your partner can create a sense of loneliness and disconnect. If you're unable to build a strong bond with one another, what's even the point?
10. Abuse
This is a major red flag that should always be an immediate cause for a breakup; it's a matter of personal wellbeing and safety! Because any form of abuse, whether it be physical, emotional, or verbal, is a serious issue that should never be overlooked. It's a valid and necessary reason for ending a relationship, one that should be done right away.
1. Honest, Clear Communication
If you want to overcome the issues in your relationship, the first step is developing a communication style that feels open and honest. It's a necessary change that needs to take place if you want to build a healthier bond. Start sharing your feelings, fears, and expectations with your partner without holding back - they need to know what you're thinking!
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2. Seek Couples Therapy
Although people are still embarrassed to say they go to therapy in today's society, it can be incredibly beneficial for your relationship to seek the help of a professional. Don't let what others think of you affect your actions! Couples therapy can be just what you need to help address and pinpoint the deep-seated issues that need resolving. It's also a great neutral space for partners to share and explore their feelings, learning healthy ways to handle the conflicts along the way.
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3. Establish Trust
This will be difficult, but if you can achieve it, you're on the way to building a healthy bond. Rebuilding trust is a necessary thing to do when trying to recover a broken relationship. While it will take effort from both sides of the party, it is possible to achieve it through consistent, reliable actions and open communication. Learn to be transparent!
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4. Spend Quality Time Together
Sometimes, rebuilding your relationship can be as simple as spending more quality time together. Don't overlook the small things in life - enjoying each other's company can have a major impact on the state of your relationship. It can help rekindle affection and remind you of all the reasons you love each other in the first place.
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5. Set and Respect Boundaries
If you didn't have healthy boundaries established before, now's a good time to do it, especially if you're both working on trying to turn things around. Both parties need to sit down and have a mature, respectful conversation about the boundaries they have. Discuss and agree on what's acceptable and what isn't, making sure you create an environment that feels comfortable and understandable.
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6. Practice Forgiveness
One of the most powerful tools to learn is forgiveness. Look, it's hard to overcome the things that have hurt us, but learning to forgive and move on is a healthy behaviour to adopt. Especially in a relationship. Work on forgiving each other for mistakes, reminding each other that everyone is human. This doesn't mean you should ever excuse bad behaviour, but that you should create a space where you both feel comfortable to calmly discuss things moving forward.
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7. Focus on Self-improvement
You can't grow to be a better boyfriend or girlfriend if you don't give yourself time to grow individually first! While being together is important, what you do while apart is just as crucial. Both partners need time to focus on self-improvement and personal growth; working on yourself can be step one to improving your relationship!
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8. Adapt and Embrace Change
Don't be so rigid in your ways; it's important that you learn to understand change is a constant part of life and a vital part of any relationship. Instead of trying to stop it, learn to adapt and grow with it. It's especially vital that you embrace the changes in each other and in your relationship dynamics; being flexible can be a major improvement you didn't realize you needed.
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9. Show Appreciation and Gratitude
The longer you're with someone, the more likely you've grown to forget to be appreciative for everything they do for you. It's important to regularly express your gratitude - it makes the other partner feel seen and loved. Every little bit of effort into a relationship counts!
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10. Create Shared Goals
If you're planning on starting over at square one, one good place to start is discussing shared goals that both partners can agree one. After all, having an aligned vision for the future gives you both something to work towards. It can be as small as planning a vacation or as big as buying a home. These shared goals give couples a sense of motivation and teamwork that can help improve the foundations of your relationship.
