An expert has pointed out three significant warning indicators that suggest your relationship might be on shaky ground.
Being caught up in the middle of a relationship can make it challenging to see things clearly.
While it’s helpful to talk to friends and family for their input, sometimes you need a more objective perspective, which is where expert advice can be valuable.
After all, there’s a reason they are called experts.
Licensed counselor Suzanne Degges-White offers guidance in this area. As a professor at Northern Illinois University, she identifies three signs that could indicate your relationship is on a downward trajectory.
A noticeable sign, especially if you live with your partner, is delaying your return home from work or elsewhere. This behavior might suggest that your relationship isn’t built to last.
If you find yourself unintentionally putting off the time to return home, or even dreading it, it might be time to reconsider the health of your relationship.
This can also apply to those not living together, as it might involve avoiding spending time with your partner.
“You look for reasons that you can delay spending time with that person,” Degges-White mentioned to Business Insider.
The second warning sign relates to avoiding communication with your partner, such as not responding to their text messages.
Although it might appear as simple inattentiveness, it can often mean something more significant.
According to Degges-White, a major sign of a troubled relationship is when you start to engage in ‘self-protection, avoidance behaviors’.
Lastly, the inability to visualize a future with your partner might indicate that a shared future is unlikely.
If you can’t seem to look forward to future milestones like marriage, children, or living together, it may be a sign, as the expert suggests, that the relationship might end soon.
Additionally, if you can’t figure out how your partner aligns with your future plans and personal goals, it might mean that, deep down, you don’t see them as part of your long-term life.
On the flip side, Degges-White also describes signs of a healthy relationship, stating: “You’re more likely to experience feelings of gratitude for the person you’re with… You feel hopeful about the future – your focus is on what’s coming next versus mistakes you’ve made.”