In relationships, things like lying, cheating and name-calling are obviously unhealthy. But some behaviors may not seem like a big deal on the surface, but they can actually do some damage over time. Relationship therapists reveal the seemingly innocent things couples do all the time that can hurt the relationship in the long run.
- You ignore your partner’s interests - Having interests that are different from your partner’s is normal and healthy, but you still want to be supportive of the things they care about. Say your sweetie wants to play you a song and they love country music, but you’re not really a fan, you can still show interest by listening to it, even if you don’t really enjoy it.
- You don’t say thank you for the small things - It’s easy to show appreciation when your S.O. buys you a present, but it’s also easy to take the little day-to-day things they do for granted. Do they bring you coffee every morning? Then recognize them for that small way they make your life easier because not doing that can lead to resentment over time.
- You’ve gotten lazy about your personal hygiene - Skipping a shower every once in a while is no big deal, but when you give up on basic grooming like brushing your teeth or shaving, your partner may not appreciate it, especially if it gets in the way of intimacy.
- You criticize your S.O. instead of asking for what you need - Being critical puts people on the defensive and that can lead to fighting. If you’re tired of your partner being late for dinner, express that and ask them to call when they’re late instead of judging and snapping, “Why can’t you ever be on time?”
- You don’t maintain a life outside the relationship - Focusing all of your energy and time on your boo and ignoring your friends, family and other interests is a huge red flag. It puts a lot of pressure on the relationship and if things don’t work out, you won’t have your support system to lean on. So spend time apart, keep doing your hobbies and your romance will be better off as a result.
- You check their phone without asking - Sneaking a peek at their texts or DMs is a violation of trust and if you’re doing it to make sure they’re being faithful? It shows a total lack of trust. And if you think snooping is innocent enough, think about how you’d feel if you caught them doing it to you.
Source: Huff Post